Central Texans will finally find out next week where the much anticipated Formula 1 racetrack will be built.
On Wednesday, Austin Formula 1 promoter Tavo Hellmund told ESPN that, contrary to previous reports, the racetrack will be built somewhere within 10 miles east and north of Downtown Austin and about 10 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
If that is the case, it could put Formula 1 just outside of the Manor area in Travis County, near the Bird’s Nest Airport off of State Highway 130 and Gregg Manor Road.
“If that Formula 1 track comes in, it'd be a great opportunity for us," said Andrew Perry, with Austin Executive Airport, known presently as the Bird’s Nest Airport.
The Bird's Nest Airport was built in 1968. Once a small airport where people trained in aviation and in parachuting, it is now undergoing a major expansion project which could triple its size and allow the airport to grow from its present seven single engine airplanes to around 300 general aviation aircraft.
“We have a 1,500 foot runway now, but we'll open up with over a 6,000 runway in the first quarter of 2011,” added Perry.
KVUE has learned that Austin Formula 1 promoters and investors are heading to the Capitol City where they are expected to make a big announcement about the track’s whereabouts early next week.
