Another Sunday Funday at Six Lounge

It figures. We go boasting about how construction at Circuit of the Americas is soooo ahead of schedule because of our drought, and then BAM! Rain, rain, rain. Some speculate that it is a result of the University of Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma University Sooners football game. Moving on...

Jenson Button and his Mini-Me!

Our fans still braved the rain and joined us once again at Six Lounge where we had more seating, more food and better audio setup to enjoy the Japanese Grand Prix.

And enjoy the race, we did! WOW, Suzuka, you did not disappoint! Congratulations to Jenson Button! We bet these F1 plush dolls are worth a pretty penny now! Check out Jenson's mini-me below:

And, we had a little fun with Sebastian Vettel's double World Championship win which was secured at Suzuka. Have you seen the viral Double Rainbow YouTube video? I have heard the term used over the past year, but didn't realize there was a video to match. I finally watched it last week and couldn't stop laughing.

Formula 1 Helps Japan

On March 11th this year, a devastating earthquake shook Japan, displacing thousands and leaving a permanent mark on Japan.  The recovery process has been long underway, but much work remains and many residents have still yet to return to their homes and start rebuilding.

With the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, the Formula 1 community is stepping up their efforts to aid Japan.  HRT driver Viantonio Liuzzi will be racing tomorrow in a special edition helmet to be auctioned off, and McLaren Drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton will be donating similar custom designed racewear worn during the race.

left: Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata with a Bernie doll right: Monisha Kaltenborn, Sauber Team CEO and a Kamui Kobayashi doll (Images from Twitter)

Video Update: Construction Ramping Up

There have been some concerns lately about work at the circuit "slowing down" - we understand this to have been a timing issue. The groundwork progressed amazingly quickly because of the lack of rain during the Texas summer, so they were able to exceed normal construction deadlines & speed up the timeline. We've been told vertical construction would start in October, and our friends at Friends of Circuit of the Americas updated us on Tuesday, confirming new equipment arrived at the circuit.

We decided to head out to the circuit on this lovely Texas October afternoon (albeit still HOT!) and share it with you.

Bring Your Wife, Bring Your Husbands, 'Cause We're Partying For F1 Up In Here!

Fans enjoy the Singapore Grand Prix at SIX Lounge in Austin, TXAlmost two weeks ago, the first downtown watch party at SIX Lounge was the initial kick-off to a central location party where fans could get together and watch the race, make new friends, and enjoy an afternoon cocktail and some food.

Not only was the race an exciting one, the party was a big hit with those who attended.  We were  pleased to see so many new faces who came to check out the event and learn more about F1.  SIX Lounge is a great place to get together so it's no surprise that we expect this weekend's event to be even bigger. Robert DeGroff will have his iRacing simulator running the Suzuka track, so come test your driving abilities on this awesome machine!

DNQ - The Singapore Trench Run

I admit, I didn't watch last weekend's race all that closely. We'd arranged for a watch party at Six Lounge downtown, and the place was fullish. People had seen the invitation on Twitter, on Facebook, were told by friends, and decided to come out and see the race with other people. Novel! Full disclosure, my usual race-watching environment involves sweat pants, multiple flagons of coffee, and a baby who is either crying, sleeping on me or desperate to get that stuffed lion. Needless to say, A) thank Jebus for DVR and B) praise be to Gozer for the pause button. It was nice to change things up for a change.
So the joint was hopping, people were mingling, there was free food, there was a fully involved "I'm divorcing you" quality iRacing rig, and there was beer. And there was a race on every TV in the place, of which there were many. Anything good happen?

Developing Central Texas: F1 Makes Its Mark

Earlier this month, Kevin and I had the opportunity to attend the Austin-San Antonio Growth Summit, hosted by the Austin Business Journal and the San Antonion Business Journal. The purpose of the summit, which was attended by business-minded people from varying sectors, was to introduce two of the largest projects for Central Texas: Formula One and State Highway 130.

This will be a multi-part article addressing different components of growth in Central Texas. Here is an introductory interview with Bruce Knox, Executive Vice President of Circuit of the Americas: