The proposed Formula One racetrack has yet to be built southeast of Austin but the date is set for its first race. Mark your calendars: it’s scheduled for June 17, 2012. If temperatures next year are anything similar to what we're seeing now that could be one hot race, literally.The date was announced as the World Motor Sport Council today released the entire Formula One schedule for next year.
Earlier this week Travis County Commissioners voted to accept $375,000 from Circuit of the Americas LLC for improvements to FM 812, which would lead to the track.
As KUT reported,
Before the vote, county commissioners were quick to point out that Travis County was serving as a "conduit" for the funds. The F1 proposal has become a hot button issue in Travis County and Austin politics. "This is not uncommon in advanced funding agreements between us and TxDOT," Steve Manila, director of the County’s public works department, told the commissioners court. "When the developer driven enhancement or improvement to roadway is required, TxDOT will not contract directly with the developer. They will contract with the local authority which in this case is us [Travis County]."