Amid Power Struggle, Construction Resumes At Austin Circuit

Following a frustrating few weeks of downtime, construction is once again in full force at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The site is looking to host the U.S. Grand Prix in 2012.

Scuttlebutt regarding a behind-the-scenes power struggle and potential change in management had put parts of the project on hold – including vertical construction of key buildings such as the paddocks, medical center and even the grandstands. On Tuesday – however – the Austin American Statesman reported that construction was once again underway.

Earlier, race promoter Tavo Hellmund had contacted Texas authorities – who are financially backing the project – to inquire whether a change in management would impact funding. Making matters worse, Susan Combs – the state’s financial officer – has contacted F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to warn him that investors have not yet secured the rights to hold the grand prix and that control of other key contractual rights are still up in the air.

Regarding the recent delays, construction manager Max Chapman stated: “It was going great guns for a while. For the last couple weeks, until we got our bookwork done, it was a trickle, and it slowed almost to a stop the last three or four days.”

Work on the building’s foundations will not start for at least a week-and-a-half while new dirt is being delivered to the site. Chapman hopes to start laying asphalt in December and insists that the Texas climate will allow his crews to lay asphalt year round.