A Day In The Life
Friday, June 4, 2010 at 10:37AM
Well a year actually. I know that to those of you reading that are motor sport fans would just love to earn a living at it. Let me tell you now that is has its moments, but it is like many other jobs, it is repetitive, and frustrating. There is never enough time or money, and the challenges come thick and fast. The good and bad thing about the sport is there is always the next race. So if you lose you can say oh well, there is next week, and if you win you can say oh well, there is next week. You are only as good or bad as your last race.
Being a track designer is no different. You are certainly only as good as your last track, and actually getting to the point of designing the next one, and then having it built is another story. It is actually a daunting prospect being given a blank page and laying it out, you only have one chance to get it right, and a lot to get it wrong. And of course not everyone is going to like it. One of the best accolades I have had is when I redid the infield track at Daytona for the motorcycles at least no one said they did not like it!
Actually getting to work on a track, unless you are Herman Tilke, is a long drawn out business. Let me tell you my life since this time last year. At that time I had one prospect that had been talking to me for three years and was almost ready to start. As always money was the last thing that was lacking. I am still waiting on that track. A second prospect actually involved a track I had designed and which we had the earthworks done before the money ran out. Now someone was going to revive it, and that dragged on until February before that fell over again. Lo and behold a third person is trying over the last month or so to pick this up, but of course we are waiting for money.
I had an initial contact for another track in late 2009 which did result in a commission to design it in March, but now they have the design and can see that it is possible to build it on their difficult site, they have to decide to spend the money, which they have, but it is actually more expensive than they thought, so it is a hard decision. Still waiting. This year I have also had approaches from Canada, which comes and goes, and is currently gone. I had an approach to do a concept plan for Qatar on the Persian Gulf, which the Emir is still considering. I have been contacted about another track in the US that is in a very early stage of concept, and a track here in Louisiana that is waiting on some land acquisition. An invitation to bid on some changes to the Singapore GP track is still pending, and just yesterday I had an approach out of the blue for another track here in the US.
But after all that, in one year I have spent a week actually working on a track design! The clients have wanted to know about construction costs, operating costs, potential revenue, noise and other environmental issues, certification and insurance, timing, lighting etc.etc. It is a hard way to make a living, and when the decision to finally build one of these it will be a full on project with no time to scratch myself. Wouldn't change it for quids though.
Last but not least, there was an article that Rossi's (the motorcycle racer, not the GP3 one) shoulder injury was much worse than realized. Here he is today quickest in practice for the Italian MotoGP in Mugello. As I have seen first hand with Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan, these motorcycle guys are tough!
Being a track designer is no different. You are certainly only as good as your last track, and actually getting to the point of designing the next one, and then having it built is another story. It is actually a daunting prospect being given a blank page and laying it out, you only have one chance to get it right, and a lot to get it wrong. And of course not everyone is going to like it. One of the best accolades I have had is when I redid the infield track at Daytona for the motorcycles at least no one said they did not like it!
Actually getting to work on a track, unless you are Herman Tilke, is a long drawn out business. Let me tell you my life since this time last year. At that time I had one prospect that had been talking to me for three years and was almost ready to start. As always money was the last thing that was lacking. I am still waiting on that track. A second prospect actually involved a track I had designed and which we had the earthworks done before the money ran out. Now someone was going to revive it, and that dragged on until February before that fell over again. Lo and behold a third person is trying over the last month or so to pick this up, but of course we are waiting for money.
I had an initial contact for another track in late 2009 which did result in a commission to design it in March, but now they have the design and can see that it is possible to build it on their difficult site, they have to decide to spend the money, which they have, but it is actually more expensive than they thought, so it is a hard decision. Still waiting. This year I have also had approaches from Canada, which comes and goes, and is currently gone. I had an approach to do a concept plan for Qatar on the Persian Gulf, which the Emir is still considering. I have been contacted about another track in the US that is in a very early stage of concept, and a track here in Louisiana that is waiting on some land acquisition. An invitation to bid on some changes to the Singapore GP track is still pending, and just yesterday I had an approach out of the blue for another track here in the US.
But after all that, in one year I have spent a week actually working on a track design! The clients have wanted to know about construction costs, operating costs, potential revenue, noise and other environmental issues, certification and insurance, timing, lighting etc.etc. It is a hard way to make a living, and when the decision to finally build one of these it will be a full on project with no time to scratch myself. Wouldn't change it for quids though.
Last but not least, there was an article that Rossi's (the motorcycle racer, not the GP3 one) shoulder injury was much worse than realized. Here he is today quickest in practice for the Italian MotoGP in Mugello. As I have seen first hand with Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan, these motorcycle guys are tough!
Reader Comments (3)
When you finally get the green light on one of these tracks, can you please still find the time to write your blog otherwise evenings after work will be all the poorer for me. Cheers Bob.
Never fear Eddie, now I've started there will be no stopping me, always wanted an outlet. May be shorter sometimes, but they will continue.
Great insight Bob. Spending one week in a twelve month period doing what you is your core. All the rest of your time is spent in sales and negotation. How much marketing do you do, just out of curiousity? I agree with Eddie, don't stop the blog.