Anyone remember Dallas 1984?

RichardsF1    Formula 1     Circuit News, FIA

One of the FIA’s American officials has questioned the wisdom of staging next year’s return of United States Grand Prix – set to debut at its new home in Texas – in mid-June, which for anyone familiar with Texas, is about the hottest time of the year there.

The World Motor Sport Council released details of its 2012 F1 calendar after its meeting in Barcelona last week, confirming that the Circuit of the Americas with host the United States Grand Prix as a back-to-back event with the Canadian Grand Prix.

Now while this logistically makes perfect sense, the local American Statesman newspaper has pointed out that the average daytime temperature in June in Austin was a baking 38°C (100°F)!

“This is the proposed date. The date won’t be final until the September or December meeting,” the FIA’s Nick Craw is quoted as saying.

“A fall (autumn) date is, therefore, possible, which would possibly offer cooler weather,” he added, no doubt a little hopefully.

Fans may recall that first – and only – Grand Prix to be staged in Texas, which was the 1984 Dallas Grand Prix. Conditions were so hot that the track broke up and simply finishing the race (won by Keke Rosberg) was an achievement in itself.