Austin F1 promoter has globe guessing
07/01/10
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| Austin F1 race promoter Tavo Hellmund. His father Gustavo promoted the two CART races in Mexico City in the early 80s |
An eccentric billionaire calls him a family friend. Millionaires want to throw money at him. He always flies coach but now attracts jet-setters. He can bring a dead cell phone back to life. Without using a charger.
No disrespect to the star of the Dos Equis beer commercials, but he is, for the moment, the most interesting man in the world.
Ever since late May, when it was announced that Austin would become the U.S. stop for a Formula One Grand Prix race, fans from Singapore to Istanbul have been asking the $250 million question: Who in the world is Tavo Hellmund?
"That's what is so cool about this, the mystery," said Bill Dollahite, a former race car driver.
Even in Austin, where the driver/promoter has spent most of his life, Hellmund remains an enigma. Not too long ago he was driving in or promoting minor league races at a three-eighth mile track in Kyle. Now, he has landed one of the most prestigious events in all of sports, lined up a potential $250 million in backing from the State of Texas over the next 10 years and managed to keep word of the deal from leaking out until F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone unexpectedly dropped the bombshell.
"I talked to him that morning," Hellmund recalled. "We said we'd talk next week after the long holiday … Then, holy cow!" More at The Statesman