US GP boss eyes fake rain for Texas track

2012 US grand prix organiser Tavo Hellmund has admitted he thinks Bernie Ecclestone’s idea to spice up formula one with artificial rain is “brilliant”.

F1 chief executive Ecclestone said it would be “easy” to ready the irrigation systems at “a number of tracks”, and one of them could be the venue currently under construction in Texas.

The Austin American Statesman reports that Hellmund thinks the idea is “brilliant”, adding that wet weather racing is “spectacular” and “compelling” that allows “true talent” to shine.

He also said the system was viable for Texas because construction of the track “is in the beginning stages”.

And Hellmund might be able to afford such a system, after it emerged that organisers have received $12.5 million from ten private investors.

But the Securities and Exchange Commission filing “did not give specifics about how the money would be used and gave no information about the investors”, said the newspaper.

The publication also said a mid-year debut date for the US grand prix next season, paired with the other North American race in Canada, is likely.

© RIF | GMM