About The Austin Grand Prix ("AGP")
The Austin Grand Prix was established on May 25, 2010 in order to bridge the gap between Austin and Formula 1 fans worldwide. Siblings Kevin and Kerri Olsen have collectively called Austin home for almost twenty years. On that momentous day in May, Kevin nearly passed out in shock when he read:
"Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ for years 2012 through 2021." ("Formula One returns to the United States")
Kevin immediately called Kerri, and The Austin Grand Prix was established as the first Austin-centric online community supporting motorsports and events at The Circuit of The Americas. Kevin brings his knowledgeable Formula One passion and eye for design and detail to the table. Kerri couples her business acumen with years of social and philanthropic involvement in the Austin community. They support responsible and sustainable growth for Austin while helping fans around the world learn more about this amazing city.
Kevin Olsen - Co-Founder
Kevin was born in St. Louis and raised in Texas. He's spent his adult years in Austin, Texas and has been passionate about Formula One racing since he watched his first race in 2000. Kevin's first passion is architecture and design, but in 2001 he witnessed Juan Pablo Montoya of Williams BMW overtaking Michael Schumacher in Brazil. It was Montoya's first season of racing and a fantastic display of rivalry. You see, Montoya was the underdog. In Kevin's words, Montoya "went balls to the wall against the world champion (Schumacher). Montoya was known for not being afraid of Michael and for having the balls to challenge him." Kevin liked that courage and daring attitude in Montoya.
Kevin is currently working towards his Master's Degree in Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin. He has a strong technical background that started off in cars and audio/video and continues to evolve.
Kerri Olsen - Co-Founder
Kerri was born in St. Louis, raised in Texas, and recently returned to Austin after a two year stint in Chicago. A self-proclaimed "eternal optimist," Kerri has a passion for connecting people and ideas. She studied English and Business for undergrad and then dove into paralegal graduate studies at Texas State University-San Marcos. Kerri's professional experience consists of corporate and real estate work in the legal field. Kerri spent the first decade of 2000 heavily involved in giving back and gained valuable volunteer and community management experience alongside fund-raising for the Austin community. Along the way she befriended many bright and entrepreneurial professionals and still collaborates with friends around the world.
Although not as seasoned in Formula One as her brother, she knows other new Formula One fans will relate to her. Her interest was recently piqued after watching her first MotoGP race, and she's excited to learn more about the array of motorsports that will take place in Austin.
Mike McKinnon - Contributing Editor
Mike has spent the majority of his life in Texas, but started off in Arkansas and spent a few years in the UK while completing his MA in communications at The University of Leeds. His professional career has focused on communications and information, and although he has always been into racing, he didn't get F1 until living in England. Then, his Sunday morning ritual became established, and it was as though he'd been a fan all his life. Mike has always loved cars and racing of any sort: speed, power, noise. The sport's history is one of the most fascinating aspects of modern Western culture for Mike: the way it ties post-war reconstruction, individual personalities, nationalism, industry and science together on a global competitive stage.
Mike sums it up: "You don't have to be a complete Anorak, as the Brits say, to enjoy this sport. I think you just have to appreciate competition, speed and the quest for perfection. Who can't relate to those interests?"
Andrew Swinghamer - Contributing Editor
Andrew is originally from North Carolina but moved to Dallas, where he met Kevin, when he was 8. Or as many naturalized Texans like to say, “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could.” He became an open-wheel racing fan when he attended the 1999 Indianapolis 500 and sat in front of the pit box of Arie Luyendyk, the driver favored to win that year. Having been an Indy Car fan since then, the global reach and technical intricacies of F1 are what later lured him to the sport. Andrew studied Electrical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em Horns) and is a DIEHARD Longhorn Football fan –killing the stereotype that all engineers are nerds.
In September of 2010 Andrew (reluctantly) moved from Texas to Denver for his current job. When he’s not enjoying a motor race, watching whatever Texas sports that are on TV, or trying his damnedest to get back to Austin for good, Andrew’s broad taste in music and need to be outdoors keeps him going to concerts and music festivals.
Disclaimer
Although we are incredibly passionate about The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, we are not affiliated with it or Formula One Management Limited or Full Throttle Productions, LP. We strive to report accurate information but you may not hold us liable for any incorrect information or offensive editorials. The views expressed on this website are those solely of the owners of The Austin Grand Prix and do not represent the views of any associated employers, groups, associations, distant cousins or passers-by. Here is an omniscient disclaimer, which we wish to integrate into our website, written by and courtesy of Herche’s Blog Disclaimer:
