Tavo Hellmund
{{Short description|American businessman (born 1966)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tavo Hellmund
| image = tavohellmund2.jpg
| caption = Hellmund in 2010.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|02|24}}
| birth_place = Mexico City, Mexico
| education = University of Texas
St. Edward’s University
| occupation = Businessman, promoter
}}
Tavo "C. T." Hellmund (born February 24, 1966) is an American businessman, event promoter and former racing driver. Although he worked for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Hellmund is better known for his work in Formula One racing, where he was responsible for both the return of the United States Grand Prix (2012, Austin) and the Mexican Grand Prix (2015), in addition to being a founding partner of Circuit of the Americas.{{cite web |last= |first= |title=10 minutes with Tavo Hellmund: The man who brought F1 back to the US |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a1909196/10-minutes-tavo-hellmund-man-who-brought-f1-back-us/ |work=Autoweek |date= October 28, 2014|accessdate=2014-11-28}}{{cite web |last=Kogoy |first=Peter |title=V8 Supercars to make US debut in Texas |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/v8-supercars-to-make-us-debut-in-texas/news-story/1cafc977445f18ee330ef08b5b31ee3e |work=The Australian |accessdate=2011-07-01}} As such, he has been described in journalism as the mastermind of the United States Grand Prix, and North America's F1 Hero.{{cite web|last=Garza |first=Vicky|title=Q&A with F1 Austin's mastermind|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2012/11/02/qa-with-f1-austins-mastermind.html|work=Austin Business Journal|accessdate=2012-11-02|archive-date=May 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512065649/http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2012/11/02/qa-with-f1-austins-mastermind.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Sylt|first=Christian|title=Ecclestone Confirms Mexican Grand Prix Will Return In 2015|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2014/07/22/ecclestone-confirms-mexican-grand-prix-will-return-in-2015/?sh=aafda4259f06|work=Forbes|accessdate=2014-07-22}}{{cite web|last=Morrison|first=Mac|title=How the Mexican Grand Prix Became F1's Best Event|url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/how-mexican-grand-prix-became-f1s-best-event/|work=Motortrend|date=December 30, 2019 |accessdate=2019-12-30}}{{cite web|last=Whittaker|first=Richard|title=Hellmund's Revenge-The man that brought F1 to Austin now behind Mexican Grand Prix|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2014-08-27/hellmunds-revenge/|work=Austin Chronicle|accessdate=2014-08-27}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Steven Cole|title=Why is Tavo Hellmund North America's F1 Hero?|url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/who-the-hell-is-tavo-hellmund-and-why-is-he-north-americas-f1hero/|work=Motortrend|date=May 29, 2018 |accessdate=2018-05-29}}{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Steven Cole|title=Why is Tavo Hellmund North America's F1 Hero?|url=https://www.magzter.com/stories/Automotive/Automobile/Who-The-Hell-Is-Tavo-Hellmund-And-Why-Is-He-North-Americas-F1-Hero|work=Automobile|accessdate=2018-07-01}}
Racing career
Hellmund competed in the British Formula 3 International Series, Formula Vauxhall, SCCA races, Formula Ford races, kart racing, the ARCA Re/Max Series, late model races, and IMCA Modified races, earning numerous wins.{{cite web|last=Staff|first=HCRPCA|title=Tavo Hellmund: A Local Racing Hero|url=https://www.hcrpca.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HORIZONS-Summer-Edition-FINAL-2019-compressed.pdf|work=Hill Country Region Porsche Club|accessdate=2019-09-29|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220221701/https://www.hcrpca.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HORIZONS-Summer-Edition-FINAL-2019-compressed.pdf|url-status=live}} Notably, he achieved victory in his NASCAR Winston West Series debut at Laguna Seca in 2001.{{cite web|title=HELLMUND CAPTURES WIN IN DEBUT RACE IN NASCAR WINSTON WEST SERIES|website=RacingWest|url=http://racingwest.com/news/story.php3/2351|date=May 21, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010627212940/http://racingwest.com/news/story.php3/2351|archive-date=June 27, 2001}} He ultimately ended his driving career in 2005 due to budget constraints.{{cite web|last=Smith, Steven Cole|first=Motortrend|title=Why is Tavo Hellmund North America's F1 Hero?|url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/who-the-hell-is-tavo-hellmund-and-why-is-he-north-americas-f1hero/|work=Motortrend|accessdate=2016-05-29|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123162043/https://www.motortrend.com/features/who-the-hell-is-tavo-hellmund-and-why-is-he-north-americas-f1hero/|url-status=live}}
Promoter
Hellmund has worked in several capacities on dozens of events, including a variety of races such as INDYCAR, IMSA and SCCA. Outside of motorsport his work includes the 1986 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web|last=Sylt|first=Christian|title=F1's Billion Dollar Man|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2014/08/23/formula-ones-billion-dollar-man/|work=Forbes|accessdate=2014-08-23|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324201840/http://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2014/08/23/formula-ones-billion-dollar-man/|url-status=live}} From 2005 to 2009, he promoted the Texas Racefest at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas, which combined a USAC National Midget race and a NASCAR West Series race in the same event.{{cite web|last=|first=|title=NASCAR and USAC Speed Into Texas for 'Racefest 2006'|url=https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/06/20/012088.html|work=The Auto Channel|accessdate=2006-06-20}} Racefest was a sellout and won his company (Full Throttle Productions) Short Track Promoter of the Year in 2006.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Steven Cole|title=Why is Tavo Hellmund North America's F1 Hero?|url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/who-the-hell-is-tavo-hellmund-and-why-is-he-north-americas-f1hero/|date=May 29, 2018 |accessdate=2018-05-29}}
= United States Grand Prix =
Hellmund has had a lifelong relationship with Bernie Ecclestone.{{cite web|last=Sylt, Christian and Reid, Caroline|first=Motorsport Magazine|title=The great Texas gamble|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-2011/77/great-texas-gamble|work=Motorsport Magazine|accessdate=2011-06-01|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123163428/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-2011/77/great-texas-gamble|url-status=live}} In May 2010, Formula One announced that a 10-year deal was made with Hellmund's Full Throttle Productions for the United States Grand Prix to be hosted at Circuit of the Americas outside of Austin, Texas beginning in 2012.{{cite web|last=Staff|first=MotorSport Week|title=F1 signs a 10-year deal to return to the US|url=https://www.motorsportweek.com/2010/05/25/1153/|work=MotorSport Week|date=May 25, 2010 |accessdate=2010-05-25|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220221701/https://www.motorsportweek.com/2010/05/25/1153/|url-status=live}}
Hellmund named the track Circuit of the Americas after a horse track in Mexico City owned by his business partners.{{cite web|last=Sylt|first=Christian|title=F1's Billion Dollar Man|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2014/08/23/formula-ones-billion-dollar-man/?sh=43a190a93a31|work=Forbes|accessdate=2014-08-23}} He originally sketched the layout of the track on a barbecue napkin back in 2007.{{cite web|last=Monthly|first=Austin|title=Tavo Hellmund BBQ Napkin Drawing|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pKh_cHyX5ZFoOG11-5_BqShCfZoh3_7U/view?usp=sharing/view?usp=sharing|work=Austin Monthly Magazine|accessdate=2012-11-01}} After a dispute with one of the COTA investors, Hellmund agreed to being bought out in 2014.{{cite web|last=Whittaker|first=Richard|title=Hellmund's Revenge|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2014-08-27/hellmunds-revenge/|work=Austin Chronicle|accessdate=2014-08-27|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123163359/https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2014-08-27/hellmunds-revenge/|url-status=live}}
= Mexican Grand Prix =
In July 2014, Ecclestone confirmed the Mexican Grand Prix would return to the F1 schedule in the 2015 season. Hellmund worked with Alejandro Soberon, chief executive of Grupo CIE, to launch the event.{{cite web|last=Sylt|first=Christian|title=Ecclestone Confirms Mexican Grand Prix Will Return In 2015|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2014/07/22/ecclestone-confirms-mexican-grand-prix-will-return-in-2015/?sh=aafda4259f06|work=Forbes|accessdate=2014-07-22}} After the first event, John Maher of the Austin American Statesman recounted that, on Sunday November 1, 2015 the Mexican Grand Prix had a race-day attendance of 134,850, and the three-day mark was 335,850. Three-time world champion and former Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda told reporters after the Mexican Grand Prix, "It was the best I've ever seen in my whole life."{{cite web|last=Maher|first=John|title=After F1 success in Austin and Mexico, what's next for Tavo Hellmund?|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2016/09/04/after-f1-success-in-austin-and-mexico-whats-next-for-tavo-hellmund/10024725007/|work=Austin American Statesman|accessdate=2018-09-25}} David Tremayne of The Straits Times wrote, "Now, that's a serious audience. As an object lesson in how to organize a grand prix, Hellmund's team set a new benchmark, and for this, the sport should be grateful".{{cite web|last=Tremayne|first=David|title=Formula 1: Mexican fans lap up homecoming after 23-year absence|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/formula-one/formula-1-mexican-fans-lap-up-homecoming-after-23-year-absence|work=Straits Times|date=November 3, 2015 |accessdate=2015-11-03|archive-date=January 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119213132/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/formula-one/formula-1-mexican-fans-lap-up-homecoming-after-23-year-absence|url-status=live}} In December 2019 the Mexican Grand Prix was awarded the Formula One Race Promoters' Trophy for a record fifth year in a row.{{cite web|last=Morrison|first=Mac|title=How the Mexican Grand Prix Became F1's Best Event|url=https://www.motortrend.com/features/how-mexican-grand-prix-became-f1s-best-event/|work=Motortrend|date=December 30, 2019 |accessdate=2019-12-30|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123162813/https://www.motortrend.com/features/how-mexican-grand-prix-became-f1s-best-event/|url-status=live}}
SXSW Sydney
In June 2022 it was revealed that Hellmund was one of the chief architects behind the SXSW Sydney event and on June 30th, The Australian New South Wales government, Destination NSW and TEG announced the launch of the multi-year SXSW Sydney Festival beginning in October 2023. Geoff Jones, CEO of TEG, event producer for SXSW Sydney thanked Hellmund for his 'vital support and vision. {{cite web|last=Tyrell|first=Elissa|title=Sydney secures South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) annual event from 2023|url=https://media.destinationnsw.com.au/media-releases/sydney-secures-south-southwest-festival-sxsw-annual-event-2023|work=Destination NSW|accessdate=2022-06-30}}
Manor F1 Team
In November 2015, it was reported that Hellmund was considering buying the Manor F1 Team, which was struggling financially, from Stephen Fitzpatrick.{{cite web|last=GMM|title=Tavo Hellmund admits interest in buying Manor F1|url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a1880831/tavo-hellmund-admits-interest-buying-manor-f1/|work=Autoweek|date=November 11, 2015|accessdate=2015-11-11|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123162436/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a1880831/tavo-hellmund-admits-interest-buying-manor-f1/|url-status=live}} Hellmund stated that towards the end of 2016, a consortium led by him had agreed to the purchase on the condition that the team finished the season in 10th place in the Constructors' Championship. This would have guaranteed the team $15 million the following year in prize money. However, Manor lost the position at the Brazilian Grand Prix and the deal fell apart. Manor fell into administration and was out of business two months later.{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Hellmund: We Had Agreed To Terms To Buy Manor|url=https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/02/19/hellmund-we-had-agreed-to-terms-to-buy-manor/|work=GrandPrix247|date=February 19, 2017|accessdate=2017-02-19|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220221707/https://www.grandprix247.com/2017/02/19/hellmund-we-had-agreed-to-terms-to-buy-manor/|url-status=live}}
SportsTek SPAC
On February 17, 2021 Hellmund, along with former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and San Antonio Spurs CEO RC Buford announced the pricing of the initial public offering for their special-purpose acquisition company SportsTek listed on the Nasdaq Exchange.{{cite press release|last=Staff|first=GlobeNewsWire|title=SportsTek Acquisition Corp. Announces Pricing of Upsized $150 Million Initial Public Offering|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/17/2176880/0/en/SportsTek-Acquisition-Corp-Announces-Pricing-of-Upsized-150-Million-Initial-Public-Offering.html|work=Globe News Wire|date=February 17, 2021 |accessdate=2021-02-17|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123163350/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/17/2176880/0/en/SportsTek-Acquisition-Corp-Announces-Pricing-of-Upsized-150-Million-Initial-Public-Offering.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Coffey|first=Brendan|title=Sports SPAC From Jeff Luhnow and Tavo Hellmund Seeks $125 MILLION|url=https://www.sportico.com/business/finance/2021/jeff-luhnow-tavo-hellmund-sports-spac-1234621548/|work=Sportico|date=February 2021 |accessdate=2021-02-01|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123163348/https://www.sportico.com/business/finance/2021/jeff-luhnow-tavo-hellmund-sports-spac-1234621548/|url-status=live}}
Motorsports career results
=NASCAR=
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
==NASCAR AutoZone West Series==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
!colspan=21| NASCAR AutoZone West Series Results results |
| Year
! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Pts ! Ref |
|---|
| 2001
! Hellmund Racing ! 39 ! Pontiac | PHO | LVS | TUS | MMR | CAL | IRW | style="background:#FFFFBF;"| LAG | KAN | EVG | CNS | IRW | RMR | LVS | IRW ! 43rd ! 185 |
| 2002
! 65 ! Pontiac | PHO | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| LVS | CAL | KAN | EVG | IRW | S99 | RMR | DCS | LVS | colspan=4| ! 37th ! 165 |
| rowspan=2| 2003
! Hellmund Racing ! 39 ! Pontiac | style="background:#FFDF9F;"| PHO | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| LVS | CAL | colspan=5| | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| RMR | DCS | PHO | MMR | colspan=2| ! rowspan=2| 20th ! rowspan=2| 621 |
| Bill McAnally Racing
! 16 ! Chevy | colspan=3| | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MAD | TCR | EVG | IRW | S99 | colspan=6| |
| rowspan=2| 2004
! Adair Motorsports ! 3 ! Pontiac | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| PHO | colspan=13| ! rowspan=2| 20th ! rowspan=2| 676 |
| rowspan=3| Hellmund Racing
! rowspan=3| 39 ! Pontiac | | MMR | CAL | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| S99 | EVG | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| IRW | S99 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| RMR | DCS | PHO | style="background:#DFDFDF;"| CNS | MMR | IRW | |
| 2005
! Chevy | PHO | MMR | PHO | S99 | IRW | EVG | S99 | PPR | CAL | DCS | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CTS | MMR | colspan=2| ! 54th ! 109 |
| 2006
! Pontiac | PHO | PHO | S99 | IRW | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| SON | DCS | IRW | EVG | S99 | CAL | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CTS | AMP | colspan=2| ! 45th ! 167 |
==NASCAR Busch North Series==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
! colspan=27| NASCAR Busch North Series results |
| Year
! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Pts ! Ref |
|---|
| 2001
! Hellmund Racing ! 64 ! Chevy | LEE | NHA | SEE | HOL | BEE | EPP | STA | WFD | BEE | TMP | NHA | STA | SEE | style="background:#EFCFFF;"|GLN | NZH | THU | BEE | DOV | STA | LRP ! 83rd ! 52 |
=ARCA Re/Max Series=
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" |
| colspan=32| ARCA Re/Max Series results |
|---|
| Year
! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 25 ! {{Tooltip|ARSC|ARCA Re/Max Series classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |
| 2001
! Hellmund Racing ! 09 ! Pontiac | DAY | NSH | WIN | SLM | GTY | KEN | CLT | KAN | MCH | POC | MEM | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| GLN | KEN | MCH | POC | NSH | ISF | CHI | DSF | SLM | TOL | BLN | CLT | TAL | ATL ! 154th ! 110 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Racing-Reference driver|C_T_Hellmund}}
{{Bill McAnally Racing}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hellmund, Tavo}}
Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni
Category:St. Edward's University alumni
Category:American racing drivers
Category:British Formula Three Championship drivers
Category:ARCA Menards Series drivers
Category:American motorsport people