"The Bionic Bride" at Formula Expo

Formula Expo with Ally Smith Babineaux from The Austin Grand Prix on Vimeo.

In addition to speaking with Davy Jones and John McCutchen, II, Ally Smith Babineaux, Godstone Ranch Ambassador of the Heart, also tells us more about the organization and how she got involved.

Dubbed the "Bionic Bride," heart health hits close to home for Allly. After viral cardiomyopathy destroyed her heart in 2006, she was equipped with a system of pumps and wires that made up a HeartMate II. She was able to return to mostly normal function with the aid of the device, which allowed her to see through her wedding plans. However, a few months after the wedding her heart continued to deteriorate and the HeartMate could no longer work. In 2011 her condition miraculously improved the night a donor hear became available. She is now fully recovered and enjoys serving as Godstone Ranch's Ambassador of the Heart.

You can read more about Godstone Ranch Motorsports by visiting their website, here.

European GP: Race Preview

Sebastian Vettel at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

When I think of Valencia, I think of F1, oranges and paella. I know, I seem to always have food on my mind, I can't help it!

I am super excited that another race weekend is here, and a street circuit at that. Everyone is saying it, "Seven races and seven winners, no one knows what will happen next!", I dare to differ this week. Based on historical data (from Wiki) and intense mathematics calculations (not really), I am going to say Vettel has the best chance of winning this weekend.

You see, Vettel has won the last two years in a row at this circuit. That's pretty great record for this sport. Not to mention all the rumors this week about Vettel and his pre-contract with Ferrari in 2014 will come with extra pressure to perform. It'd be great if Schumacher or Raikkonen takes the crown to continue to mix things up for the championship, but the odds are ever so slightly against them.

As always, on top of the on-track actions, I'll be watching for the Grid Girls outfit and crowning the Best Post-race hair award. Can't wait for the qualifying and the race this weekend. Catch you again on the European Grand Prix Race Recap!

Godstone Ranch Motorsports at Formula Expo

One of the most impressive displays at Formula Expo was by Godstone Ranch Motorsports, a Texas-based non-profit organization that races the GRAND-AM circuit to raise awareness and funds for charity. They created a 60' by 8' light wall that illuminated a larger-than-life rendering of Circuit of The Americas. In front of the wall sat a Formula 1 Ferrari provided by Risi Competizione/Ferrari of Houston and Godstone also debuted their "HEART Car" in conjunction with its charitable focus, the American Heart Association of Austin.

In this interview, I chatted with team drivers Davy Jones, Le Mans Champion and Rolex 24 at Daytona Champion, and John McCutchen II, 2009 SCCA Southwest Super Touring Champion, in order to learn more about the series and how it ties into the future of motorsports in Austin. You can read more about Godstone's work by visiting their website, here.

The French Connection: European GP


Also known as ‘The European Grand Prix’, while it was originally an honour provided to any one of the European circuits, at seven times, Italy had hosted the event more than any other nation. Ironically, once it was reintroduced in 1983, the European race was only intended to be a ‘stop-gap’, to fill a slot in the calendar arising from the cancellation of the US Formula One race scheduled to be held at Flushing Meadows, in up-state New York.

Aerial Update on COTA

With just 5 months to go until the inaugural Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, construction at Circuit of The Americas is rapidly progressing as the 900+ acre site transforms daily into a world class facility. 

Formula 1's most recognized photographers Mark and Keith Sutton of Sutton images visited Austin for Formula Expo this past weekend and took to the skies for a look at COTA.  In addition to their photos from their trip which you can see in this weeks issue of GP Week, the Sutton's brought back some aerial footage of the track as well:

 

The trip includes captions which indicate the turn locations as they circle around the whole location. If you're on the fence about which tickets to get for the race, this video should give you some idea of the orientation of the track relative to your seating.

If you're curious just how far along the circuit has come in a short amount of time, take a look at our aerial footage from March 2011.  This should help you gain some perspective on the amazing progress made by COTA's construction team in just 15 months since we produced the first aerial video of the circuit:

Exclusive: First Aerial Video of Austin Track Construction from The Austin Grand Prix on Vimeo.

 

COTA Adding More Seats for November F1 Race

Due to high demand, Circuit of The Americas has just announced additional grandstand seats to be released to the public.

The new Grandstand bleacher seating positions include Turn 9, which slopes toward Turn 10 (the second highest elevation) and gives "an incredible view of the cars a they speed downhill towards Turn 11."

The second option is Turn 11 West which is "the perfect location to spot overtaking cars as they rush down the hill from Turn 10 at speeds of 180 MPH to take the hairpin Turn 11 before accelerating full throttle down the longest straighwaty of the track."

If you have already purchased General Admission tickets, you can call Ticketmaster Fan Support at 1.800.653.8000 with the option to trade in your tickets for bleacher grandstand seating of equal or greater value in these two new turns.

// UPDATE - 5:00PM

Some individuals are reporting additional costs to upgrade to Turn 9 ($290) and Turn 11 West ($260) when they call Ticketmaster.

New aerial photograph of Turns 9 & 11 grandstands. Image courtesy of COTA.