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'''Carl Tavo Hellmund''' (born February 24, 1966, in [[Austin, Texas]]) is a [[United States|American]] former racing driver and [[Midget car racing]] promoter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Maher|first=John|title=Austin F1 promoter has globe guessing|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-f1-promoter-has-globe-guessing-779413.html?printArticle=y|accessdate=14 February 2012|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman|date=1 July 2010}}</ref> Hellmund's father, Gustavo Hellmund-Rosas, was a racing promoter as well, having promoted the [[Mexican Grand Prix]] in 1980 and 1981.
''Carl Tavo Hellmund''' (born February 24, 1966 in Austin, TX), a [[United States|American]] former racing driver and promoter, is responsible for the F-1 [[United States Grand Prix]] being held in [[Austin, Texas]] with the first race in 2012.


==Racing career==
Hellmund, a native of [[Austin, Texas]], competed in the [[British Formula Three Championship]] in 1995 and 1996,<ref>[http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/2777/career/ Tavo Hellmund], ''Driver Database'', Retrieved 2010-08-22</ref> and won races in the [[K&N Pro Series West|NASCAR Winston West Series]] and [[SCCA]]-sanctioned events, including the Winston West race at [[Laguna Seca]] in 2001.<ref>[http://www.racingwest.com/drivers/tavo-ct-hellmund/ Tavo (CT) Hellmund], ''Racing West'', Retrieved 2010-08-22</ref>


==Racing promoter==
===Racing Promoter===
As a promoter, Hellmund has been involved with [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] National Midget Series.


Hellmund's father, Gustavo Hellmund-Rosas, was a racing promoter as well, having promoted the [[Gran Premio de México]] in 1980 and 1981. Tavo, a native of Austin, Texas, competed in the [[British Formula Three Championship]] in 1995 and 1996<ref>[http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/2777/career/ Tavo Hellmund], ''Driver Database'', Retrieved 2010-08-22</ref> and won races in [[FIA]], [[NASCAR]] and [[SCCA]] sanctioned events, including the [[NASCAR]] race at [[Laguna Seca]] in 2001.<ref>[http://www.racingwest.com/drivers/tavo-ct-hellmund/ Tavo (CT) Hellmund], ''Racing West'', Retrieved 2010-08-22</ref> As a promoter, he has been involved with music events, [[FIFA World Cup]], [[NASCAR]], [[Formula One]] and was responsible for the return of the [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] National Midge Series to Texas after a nearly forty year absence. His Texas Racefest was one of the most successful NASCAR/USAC regional short-track events from 2005-2009 <ref>[http://www.racingwest.com/news/articles/19724-2009-allstate-texas-racefest-nascar-usac-tsrs.html], ''Racing West'', Retrieved 2009-02-02</ref>
===United States Grand Prix at Austin===

Hellmund has a relationship with [[Bernie Ecclestone]] (CEO of [[Formula One Management]] and [[Formula One Administration]]) that has spanned nearly 40 years, knowing him as a young boy. In July 2010, Hellmund announced he had signed a deal with [[Formula One]] in April to return the [[United States Grand Prix]] to the F1 schedule in [[2012 Formula One season|2012]]. Hellmund's investors, including [[Red McCombs]] and Bobby Epstein of Prophet Capital are building a new track outside of Austin, Texas that is being engineered by [[Herman Tilke]] and Peter Wahl.<ref>{{cite news |title=Red McCombs named investor in Austin Formula One project |url=http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/investigative/entries/2010/07/27/red_mccombs_named_investor_in.html |first=John |last=Maher |work=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |date=July 27, 2010 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5w72nEmmT |archivedate=January 30, 2011 |accessdate=July 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Llewellyn-Stevens|first=Gareth|title=http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2010/08/tavo-hellmund-promises-amazing-us-grand-prix-venue/|url=Tavo Hellmund promises ‘amazing’ US Grand Prix venue|work=The Sport Review|accessdate=14 February 2012}}</ref> In June 2011, it was reported that Hellmund was in breach of his contract with [[Formula One Management]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|title=Austin race on the verge of cancellation, Ecclestone admits|url=http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111116/F1/111119894|publisher=Autoweek|accessdate=17 November 2011}}</ref> On December 7, 2011 a new deal was agreed to between [[Bernie Ecclestone]] (CEO of [[Formula One Management]], [[Red McCombs]], and Bobby Epstein, ending Hellmund's association with the event.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pugmire|first=Jerome|url=http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-07/sports/30486854_1_texas-race-bernie-ecclestone-jenson-button|title=US Grand Prix included in F1 calendar for 2012|work=Boston.com|publisher=NY Times Co.|accessdate=14 February 2012|date=7 December 2011|agency=[[Associated Press{{!}}AP]]}}</ref>

===Relationship with Bernie Ecclestone and Formula 1 United States===

His relationship with [[Bernie Ecclestone]] (CEO of [[Formula One Management]] and [[Formula One Administration]]) has spanned nearly 40 years, knowing him as a young boy, followed by a stint on the Ecclestone-owned F1 team, and later working with him to learn more about the business side of the Formula 1 brand. Today, Hellmund is considered one of the most knowledgeable people in the United States about Formula One. <ref>[http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/05/28/bernie-ecclestone-qa-i-don%E2%80%99t-know-what-the-american-public-want-to-see/], ''AdamCooperF1.com'', Retrieved 2010-10-03</ref>

In July 2010, Hellmund announced he had signed a deal with [[Formula One]] in April to return the United States Grand Prix to the F1 schedule in [[2012 Formula One season|2012]]. Hellmund's investors, including [[Red McCombs]] and Bobby Epstein of Prophet Capital are building a new track outside of Austin, Texas that is being engineered by [[Herman Tilke]] and Peter Wahl. Hellmund and close friend motorcycle champion [[Kevin Schwantz]] spent years designing the layout of the track, <ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/20100728-investor-in-austin-formula-one-racetrack-is-former-nfl-nba-owner-red-mccombs.ece], "''Dallas News''", Retrieved 2010-10-02</ref> which will have significant elevation changes and be a more traditional grand prix track <ref>[http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/9/11198.html], "''Formula 1''", Retrieved 2010-09-01</ref> as opposed to the characteristically wide and flat curves featured on other modern Tilke tracks. <ref>[http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2010/08/tavo-hellmund-promises-amazing-us-grand-prix-venue/], "''The Sport Review''", Retrieved 2010-8-12</ref>


In June 2011, construction stopped amid rumors that the project was underfunded. Later it was reported that the project was in breach of their contact with Formula 1 and an apparent rift between Hellmund and investor Bobby Epstein came to light. A buyout of one party or the other was reported. <ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111114/FREE/311149999], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-11-14</ref>

Hellmund for his part accomplished what no one in the history of American motorsports had; secured State funding, F1, MotoGP, V8 Supercars - all before construction of the facility is complete. In July, it became clear that investor Epstein reportedly wanted to call the shots. <ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111116/FREE/111119900], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-11-16</ref>

For reasons not clear at the time, people wondered why Epstein (who had reportedly claimed he had the money to satisfy the projects financial agreements to F1) had not sent the money weeks or months earlier to Formula 1. On November 17, 2011, the Texas State Comptroller, in an interview with a local newspaper, stated that the problems with the F1 project were "not a Tavo problem, it's really an investor problem." <ref>[http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/11/17/combs_joins_list_of_austin_f1.html?cxntfid=blogs_formula_austin], "''Austin American Statesman''", Retrieved 2011-11-17</ref> Later that day in a press conference, Hellmund told reporters that the problem that plagued the project was money and that the F1 contract had been terminated for failure to pay F1 the sanctioning fee in a timely fashion. It was obvious that he was not giving all of the details as to what was really going on with the partnership. <ref>[http://austin.culturemap.com/newsdetail/11-17-11-23-29-why-formula-1-failed-tavo-hellmund-bernie-ecclestone-and-the-clash-of-super-rich-egos/], "''Culture Map Austin''", Retrieved 2011-11-17</ref>

On November 24, 2011, Epstein escalated his public showdown with Bernie Ecclestone and Formula 1 <ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111126/FREE/111129948], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-11-26</ref>, and on November 28, Ecclestone gave an exclusive interview where he said what many suspected, but Hellmund would not directly say at his press conference; that Epstein and McCombs were "stealing the project" from Hellmund <ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111128/F1/111129932], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-11-28</ref>

On December 7, 2011 a new deal was agreed to with Formula 1. <ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111207/FREE/111209913], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-12-07</ref> From the currently available information, Hellmund remains a founding parnter and the Chairman of the F1 USGP.

Hellmund's father, Gustavo Hellmund-Rosas, was a racing promoter as well, having promoted the [[Gran Premio de México]] in 1980 and 1981. Tavo, a native of Austin, Texas, competed in the [[British Formula Three Championship]] in 1995 and 1996<ref>[http://www.driverdb.com/drivers/2777/career/ Tavo Hellmund], ''Driver Database'', Retrieved 2010-08-22</ref> and won races in [[FIA]], [[NASCAR]] and [[SCCA]] sanctioned events, including the [[NASCAR]] race at [[Laguna Seca]] in 2001.<ref>[http://www.racingwest.com/drivers/tavo-ct-hellmund/ Tavo (CT) Hellmund], ''Racing West'', Retrieved 2010-08-22</ref> As a promoter, he has been involved with music events, [[FIFA World Cup]], [[NASCAR]], [[Formula One]] and was responsible for the return of the [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] National Midge Series to Texas after a nearly forty year absence. His Texas Racefest was one of the most successful NASCAR/USAC regional short-track events from 2005-2009 <ref>[http://www.racingwest.com/news/articles/19724-2009-allstate-texas-racefest-nascar-usac-tsrs.html], ''Racing West'', Retrieved 2009-02-02</ref>


His relationship with [[Bernie Ecclestone]] (CEO of [[Formula One Management]] and [[Formula One Administration]]) has spanned nearly 40 years, knowing him as a young boy, followed by a stint on the Ecclestone-owned F1 team, and later working with him to learn more about the business side of the Formula 1 brand. Today, Hellmund is considered one of the most knowledgeable people in the United States about Formula One.<ref>[http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/05/28/bernie-ecclestone-qa-i-don%E2%80%99t-know-what-the-american-public-want-to-see/], ''AdamCooperF1.com'', Retrieved 2010-10-03</ref>

In July 2010, Hellmund announced he had signed a deal with [[Formula One]] in April to return the United States Grand Prix to the F1 schedule in [[2012 Formula One season|2012]]. Hellmund's investors, including [[Red McCombs]] and Bobby Epstein of Prophet Capital are building a new track outside of Austin, Texas that is being engineered by [[Herman Tilke]] and Peter Wahl. Hellmund and close friend motorcycle champion [[Kevin Schwantz]] spent years designing the layout of the track,<ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/news/20100728-investor-in-austin-formula-one-racetrack-is-former-nfl-nba-owner-red-mccombs.ece], "''Dallas News''", Retrieved 2010-10-02</ref> which will have significant elevation changes and be a more traditional grand prix track <ref>[http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/9/11198.html], "''Formula 1''", Retrieved 2010-09-01</ref> as opposed to the characteristically wide and flat curves featured on other modern Tilke tracks.<ref>[http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2010/08/tavo-hellmund-promises-amazing-us-grand-prix-venue/], "''The Sport Review''", Retrieved 2010-8-12</ref>

In June 2011, construction stopped amid rumors that the project was underfunded. Later it was reported that the project was in breach of their contact with Formula 1 and an apparent rift between Hellmund and investor Bobby Epstein came to light. A buyout of one party or the other was reported.<ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111114/FREE/311149999], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-11-14</ref>

Hellmund for his part accomplished what no one in the history of American motorsports had; secured State funding, F1, MotoGP, V8 Supercars - all before construction of the facility is complete. In July, it became clear that investor Epstein reportedly wanted to call the shots.<ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111116/FREE/111119900], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-11-16</ref>

For reasons not clear at the time, people wondered why Epstein (who had reportedly claimed he had the money to satisfy the projects financial agreements to F1) had not sent the money weeks or months earlier to Formula 1. On November 17, 2011, the Texas State Comptroller, in an interview with a local newspaper, stated that the problems with the F1 project were "not a Tavo problem, it's really an investor problem." <ref>[http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/11/17/combs_joins_list_of_austin_f1.html?cxntfid=blogs_formula_austin], "''Austin American Statesman''", Retrieved 2011-11-17</ref> Later that day in a press conference, Hellmund told reporters that the problem that plagued the project was money and that the F1 contract had been terminated for failure to pay F1 the sanctioning fee in a timely fashion. It was obvious that he was not giving all of the details as to what was really going on with the partnership.<ref>[http://austin.culturemap.com/newsdetail/11-17-11-23-29-why-formula-1-failed-tavo-hellmund-bernie-ecclestone-and-the-clash-of-super-rich-egos/], "''Culture Map Austin''", Retrieved 2011-11-17</ref>

On November 24, 2011, Epstein escalated his public showdown with Bernie Ecclestone and Formula 1,<ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111126/FREE/111129948], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-11-26</ref> and on November 28, Ecclestone gave an exclusive interview where he said what many suspected, but Hellmund would not directly say at his press conference; that Epstein and McCombs were "stealing the project" from Hellmund <ref>[http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111128/F1/111129932], "''Autoweek''", Retrieved 2011-11-28</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 21:30, 17 February 2012

Carl Tavo Hellmund' (born February 24, 1966 in Austin, TX), a American former racing driver and promoter, is responsible for the F-1 United States Grand Prix being held in Austin, Texas with the first race in 2012.


Racing Promoter

Hellmund's father, Gustavo Hellmund-Rosas, was a racing promoter as well, having promoted the Gran Premio de México in 1980 and 1981. Tavo, a native of Austin, Texas, competed in the British Formula Three Championship in 1995 and 1996[1] and won races in FIA, NASCAR and SCCA sanctioned events, including the NASCAR race at Laguna Seca in 2001.[2] As a promoter, he has been involved with music events, FIFA World Cup, NASCAR, Formula One and was responsible for the return of the USAC National Midge Series to Texas after a nearly forty year absence. His Texas Racefest was one of the most successful NASCAR/USAC regional short-track events from 2005-2009 [3]


Relationship with Bernie Ecclestone and Formula 1 United States

His relationship with Bernie Ecclestone (CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration) has spanned nearly 40 years, knowing him as a young boy, followed by a stint on the Ecclestone-owned F1 team, and later working with him to learn more about the business side of the Formula 1 brand. Today, Hellmund is considered one of the most knowledgeable people in the United States about Formula One. [4]

In July 2010, Hellmund announced he had signed a deal with Formula One in April to return the United States Grand Prix to the F1 schedule in 2012. Hellmund's investors, including Red McCombs and Bobby Epstein of Prophet Capital are building a new track outside of Austin, Texas that is being engineered by Herman Tilke and Peter Wahl. Hellmund and close friend motorcycle champion Kevin Schwantz spent years designing the layout of the track, [5] which will have significant elevation changes and be a more traditional grand prix track [6] as opposed to the characteristically wide and flat curves featured on other modern Tilke tracks. [7]


In June 2011, construction stopped amid rumors that the project was underfunded. Later it was reported that the project was in breach of their contact with Formula 1 and an apparent rift between Hellmund and investor Bobby Epstein came to light. A buyout of one party or the other was reported. [8]

Hellmund for his part accomplished what no one in the history of American motorsports had; secured State funding, F1, MotoGP, V8 Supercars - all before construction of the facility is complete. In July, it became clear that investor Epstein reportedly wanted to call the shots. [9]

For reasons not clear at the time, people wondered why Epstein (who had reportedly claimed he had the money to satisfy the projects financial agreements to F1) had not sent the money weeks or months earlier to Formula 1. On November 17, 2011, the Texas State Comptroller, in an interview with a local newspaper, stated that the problems with the F1 project were "not a Tavo problem, it's really an investor problem." [10] Later that day in a press conference, Hellmund told reporters that the problem that plagued the project was money and that the F1 contract had been terminated for failure to pay F1 the sanctioning fee in a timely fashion. It was obvious that he was not giving all of the details as to what was really going on with the partnership. [11]

On November 24, 2011, Epstein escalated his public showdown with Bernie Ecclestone and Formula 1 [12], and on November 28, Ecclestone gave an exclusive interview where he said what many suspected, but Hellmund would not directly say at his press conference; that Epstein and McCombs were "stealing the project" from Hellmund [13]

On December 7, 2011 a new deal was agreed to with Formula 1. [14] From the currently available information, Hellmund remains a founding parnter and the Chairman of the F1 USGP.

Hellmund's father, Gustavo Hellmund-Rosas, was a racing promoter as well, having promoted the Gran Premio de México in 1980 and 1981. Tavo, a native of Austin, Texas, competed in the British Formula Three Championship in 1995 and 1996[15] and won races in FIA, NASCAR and SCCA sanctioned events, including the NASCAR race at Laguna Seca in 2001.[16] As a promoter, he has been involved with music events, FIFA World Cup, NASCAR, Formula One and was responsible for the return of the USAC National Midge Series to Texas after a nearly forty year absence. His Texas Racefest was one of the most successful NASCAR/USAC regional short-track events from 2005-2009 [17]


His relationship with Bernie Ecclestone (CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration) has spanned nearly 40 years, knowing him as a young boy, followed by a stint on the Ecclestone-owned F1 team, and later working with him to learn more about the business side of the Formula 1 brand. Today, Hellmund is considered one of the most knowledgeable people in the United States about Formula One.[18]

In July 2010, Hellmund announced he had signed a deal with Formula One in April to return the United States Grand Prix to the F1 schedule in 2012. Hellmund's investors, including Red McCombs and Bobby Epstein of Prophet Capital are building a new track outside of Austin, Texas that is being engineered by Herman Tilke and Peter Wahl. Hellmund and close friend motorcycle champion Kevin Schwantz spent years designing the layout of the track,[19] which will have significant elevation changes and be a more traditional grand prix track [20] as opposed to the characteristically wide and flat curves featured on other modern Tilke tracks.[21]

In June 2011, construction stopped amid rumors that the project was underfunded. Later it was reported that the project was in breach of their contact with Formula 1 and an apparent rift between Hellmund and investor Bobby Epstein came to light. A buyout of one party or the other was reported.[22]

Hellmund for his part accomplished what no one in the history of American motorsports had; secured State funding, F1, MotoGP, V8 Supercars - all before construction of the facility is complete. In July, it became clear that investor Epstein reportedly wanted to call the shots.[23]

For reasons not clear at the time, people wondered why Epstein (who had reportedly claimed he had the money to satisfy the projects financial agreements to F1) had not sent the money weeks or months earlier to Formula 1. On November 17, 2011, the Texas State Comptroller, in an interview with a local newspaper, stated that the problems with the F1 project were "not a Tavo problem, it's really an investor problem." [24] Later that day in a press conference, Hellmund told reporters that the problem that plagued the project was money and that the F1 contract had been terminated for failure to pay F1 the sanctioning fee in a timely fashion. It was obvious that he was not giving all of the details as to what was really going on with the partnership.[25]

On November 24, 2011, Epstein escalated his public showdown with Bernie Ecclestone and Formula 1,[26] and on November 28, Ecclestone gave an exclusive interview where he said what many suspected, but Hellmund would not directly say at his press conference; that Epstein and McCombs were "stealing the project" from Hellmund [27]

References

  1. ^ Tavo Hellmund, Driver Database, Retrieved 2010-08-22
  2. ^ Tavo (CT) Hellmund, Racing West, Retrieved 2010-08-22
  3. ^ [1], Racing West, Retrieved 2009-02-02
  4. ^ [2], AdamCooperF1.com, Retrieved 2010-10-03
  5. ^ [3], "Dallas News", Retrieved 2010-10-02
  6. ^ [4], "Formula 1", Retrieved 2010-09-01
  7. ^ [5], "The Sport Review", Retrieved 2010-8-12
  8. ^ [6], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-11-14
  9. ^ [7], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-11-16
  10. ^ [8], "Austin American Statesman", Retrieved 2011-11-17
  11. ^ [9], "Culture Map Austin", Retrieved 2011-11-17
  12. ^ [10], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-11-26
  13. ^ [11], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-11-28
  14. ^ [12], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-12-07
  15. ^ Tavo Hellmund, Driver Database, Retrieved 2010-08-22
  16. ^ Tavo (CT) Hellmund, Racing West, Retrieved 2010-08-22
  17. ^ [13], Racing West, Retrieved 2009-02-02
  18. ^ [14], AdamCooperF1.com, Retrieved 2010-10-03
  19. ^ [15], "Dallas News", Retrieved 2010-10-02
  20. ^ [16], "Formula 1", Retrieved 2010-09-01
  21. ^ [17], "The Sport Review", Retrieved 2010-8-12
  22. ^ [18], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-11-14
  23. ^ [19], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-11-16
  24. ^ [20], "Austin American Statesman", Retrieved 2011-11-17
  25. ^ [21], "Culture Map Austin", Retrieved 2011-11-17
  26. ^ [22], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-11-26
  27. ^ [23], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-11-28

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