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COTA cancels all 2013 track events

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Old Dec 22, 2012 | 12:01 PM
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Default COTA cancels all 2013 track events

Austin's Circuit Of The Americas Cancels Track Days, Screws Over Racing Fans Everywhere

Their facebook page is blowing up with irate people. They removed some negative posts from last night, but damn people are mad.
Old Dec 22, 2012 | 12:19 PM
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Merry Christmas to all! NO SOUP FOR YOU!
Old Dec 22, 2012 | 12:32 PM
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Cancelling events for no apparent reason less than 20 days beforehand? Hotel reservations, taking time off work, and more is all out the window. I'd be pissed, too.

I sincerely hope they go bankrupt. ******** business deserve to fail.
Old Dec 22, 2012 | 02:58 PM
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Apparently SCCA's event is still on:

ApexSpeed - View Single Post - SCCA at Circuit of the Americas! Mar 7-9, 2013
Old Dec 22, 2012 | 03:46 PM
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Ah, it says "professional organization". That makes all the difference. NOT.

You take someone's money and hold it for months only to cancel for no apparent reason less than 3 weeks out? ******** move, especially in light of the fact that some events are still on.
Old Dec 22, 2012 | 03:56 PM
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There are other tracks and groups that want out money who don't play this game, appreciate them.
Old Dec 22, 2012 | 03:59 PM
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COTA is refunding money, right? Everyone keeps talking about attorneys but I'm certain one look at the contract permits cancellation by COTA.
Old Dec 22, 2012 | 11:15 PM
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got an email from the dfw bmw group saying ignore the rumors and don't change plans for the June event they are doing at COTA.
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 01:47 AM
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They backpedaled quick on this one.

COTA press release
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 09:57 AM
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With the way they talk - my guess is they won't do rentals next year?
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by GeneSplicer
With the way they talk - my guess is they won't do rentals next year?
They're asking the state and city for a $5m bankroll to cover operating costs next year. I think our lawmaker should know they are potentially turning away business, rather than utilizing all faculties for revenue. They will certainly hear from me.

Circuit of the Americas to seek up to $5 million from state... | www.statesman.com
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 10:29 AM
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Here is the email I sent to my state Senators and Representatives. I'll be god damned if I'm going to let state tax money bankroll a track that doesn't value club racing.
Senator ??????,
Thanks for taking time to read this email. I'm an avid racecar fan and participate in racing at the club level. I appreciate the State's desire to welcome the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and appreciate the state's willingness to utilize the special event fund. However COTA recently chose to not entertain club-racing on their schedule while. considering the nature of COTA's recent request to utilize $5M in tax funds to subsidize operating costs in 2013.
It is inappropriate for COTA to turn away business and revenue from racers like myself, while relying on tax funds to cover operating costs. I strongly urge you to consider COTA's willingness to utilize all possible revenue streams, like club racing, when COTA requests another multi-million dollar stipend from the tax payer. As a proud Texan tax payer and a club racer, I 'd like to utilize the track I continue to subsidize

Thank you for your time,
Sir Hustler Esq.
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 10:48 AM
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why does the state need to give them $5mm?
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Braineack
why does the state need to give them $5mm?
From the article it appears they are short to cover operating costs. I don't give two ***** what it's for, they should be beating down the door of NASA, SCCA, and DE groups to get business out there multiple times per year. That track should have cars on it 3 days per week, every year. Then they can go to the state and ask for millions in tax money.
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 11:08 AM
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so maybe they should rethink their business plan?
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 11:25 AM
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Why? These days, that's a perfectly valid business plan. It's not about providing a track, it's about milking the gov't for millions and then declaring chapter 11.
Old Dec 23, 2012 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Braineack
so maybe they should rethink their business plan?
I bet their plan is to use tax money to build the place, then make it a private club with 3 races per year. This is something I will go totally ape-**** over, make signs, and protest for several reasons:
  • I care about club racing
  • I care about the tax payer
  • Austin live music
  • Lockhart BBQ
  • Harris Hill Road
I'm willing to take time off work to "protest", lol.
Old Dec 24, 2012 | 08:28 AM
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why dont they just hit up bernie for some loot, hes a generous chap
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