a couple weeks ago there was a tweet about some 'very reliable source' telling dennis noyes that there would for sure be MotoGP in austin texas next year.

now this: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Apr/110405austin.htm

well....how long is the contract for Laguna and I think the Indy contract was only renewed for this year with contigencies for next year on 1st option based on attendance and so forth....

As badly as Laguna is managed, I suspect they'd dump Indy first. I think I'd actually consider traveling to Austin for a race

Laguna Seca is locked in until 2014.  I don't think they would take it out of the calendar.  This is one of the most unique track on the circuit with lots of memorable history.

Indy, is a different story.  Although it's a world famous track, but a lot of riders does not like it.  It has different surfaces from concrete to tarmac.  Remember Nicky Hayden's knee slider last year?  It was completely ripped off from being caught on the track.

The proposed track in Austin would be built from the ground up to accommodate F1 and MotoGP.  And we all know how they build new stuffs in Texas (new Cowboy Stadium)
http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/162867/1/kevin_schwantz_advising_austin_f1_track_on_bikes.html

Austin is a great town to host a race! Great food, night life, music, scenery (for TX...) and cool stuff to do. But the traffic does kinda suck. It was bad in the 70s when I lived there and when I had to travel there a lot for business during the 80s and early 90s. I'm sure it's a 100 times worse now. But still, a cool place for a track. Glad I have some friends that still live there with guest bedrooms. I'd put up with the shitty traffic to see a MotoGP race three hours away!

Weird...I was just telling my wife they should shit can the Indy race and move it to Austin once the F1 track opens up.

I can't wait to see this track. If the F1 race goes next year I'm there. 

Quote from: fastwin on April 06, 2011, 08:13:32 AM
Austin is a great town to host a race! Great food, night life, music, scenery (for TX...) and cool stuff to do. But the traffic does kinda suck. It was bad in the 70s when I lived there and when I had to travel there a lot for business during the 80s and early 90s. I'm sure it's a 100 times worse now. But still, a cool place for a track. Glad I have some friends that still live there with guest bedrooms. I'd put up with the shitty traffic to see a MotoGP race three hours away!

austin doesn't know what bad traffic is.

reference: I-405 through the los angeles west side.

(no, I-35 through downtown austin doesn't even come close to comparing.)

fwiw, I'd like to see them expand/improve Barber....just too many good views there and a real nice (and nasty) track 

Personally I'd rather go to Austin than Indy.

And as others have said, as badly mismanaged (and it's a hell-hole) as Laguna Seca is, it's kind of iconic.

I'm already looking forward to driving down from Dallas for F1.  MotoGP would be icing on the cake.

Are the local 'riding' roads in Austin half as good as they're reputed to be?

If so, maybe a candidate for the US TT 

Quote from: OT on April 07, 2011, 06:00:17 AM
Are the local 'riding' roads in Austin half as good as they're reputed to be?

If so, maybe a candidate for the US TT 

IN austin? no.... the surrounding texas hillcounty? you betcha. 

Can Indy!! Austin or Barber would be my choice. Barber is just too small, but the facilities are gorgeous. The other problem is the infratructure i.e. airport and hotels. Austin would be a better destination for the fans.

could be a USGP triple threat...

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Apr/110407texas2.htm

which, if DORNA is truly looking to save some travel expenses, they could line up the 3 GP's in a row working their way across the continent, like they were alledged trying to do with the 2 of them as it were already in the rescheduling ideas that were/are bouncing around.

Quote from: zooom on April 08, 2011, 05:08:04 AM
could be a USGP triple threat...

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Apr/110407texas2.htm

QuoteThe Austin Texas facility will reportedly enjoy a $25 million infusion of cash from the state of Texas' Major Events Trust Fund--per year--to help smooth over the rough spots of running an international race circuit in Texas.