Tavo Hellmund
Carl Tavo Hellmund (born February 24) is an American former racing driver and promoter. He 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 Midget 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.[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, 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 Hellmund attempted to renegotiate for a higher stake in the deal. Later it was reported that Hellmund was in breach of his contact with Formula 1. Consequently, Bernie Ecclestone rescinded his contract with Hellmund. [8] Bernie Ecclestone said he was "disappointed" with Hellmund.[9]
On December 7, 2011 a new deal was agreed to between Formula 1 and the investors, Red McCombs and Bobby Epstein. [10] From the currently available information, Hellmund is no longer affiliated with the F1 USGP nor Circuit of the Americas. [11]
References
- ^ Tavo Hellmund, Driver Database, Retrieved 2010-08-22
- ^ Tavo (CT) Hellmund, Racing West, Retrieved 2010-08-22
- ^ [1], Racing West, Retrieved 2009-02-02
- ^ [2], AdamCooperF1.com, Retrieved 2010-10-03
- ^ [3], "Dallas News", Retrieved 2010-10-02
- ^ [4], "Formula 1", Retrieved 2010-09-01
- ^ [5], "The Sport Review", Retrieved 2010-8-12
- ^ http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111128/F1/111129932
- ^ http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111128/F1/111129932
- ^ [6], "Autoweek", Retrieved 2011-12-07
- ^ [7]