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Inside This Issue: Having a voice in your company, by Tom Luby Ways to generate residential sales leads, by Jim Lucci Fence industry veteran and standards expert retires • Fence ordinances Dodge Report: August construction shows slight uptick NOVEMBER 2012 Celebrating our 28th year of publication • Be sure to visit us online at www.worldfencenews.com A construction project that can only be described as astounding is un- derway about 15 miles southeast of downtown Austin, Texas. The Circuit of The Americas (CoTA) is a new world-class motor- sports and entertainment venue, and is designed to be the only purpose-built facility in the U.S. to host the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ through 2021 and V8 Supercars from 2013- 2018. (As this edition of World Fence News went to press, the 2012 Formula 1 Grand Prix was scheduled for Nov. 16-18.) The facility will be the only FIA- certified Grade 1 track in the United States, and one of only 26 Grade 1-cer- tified motorsports facilities in the world. In addition to all the other com- plex engineering and construction as- pects of a track such as this, the integrity of the fencing is absolutely vital for the protection and safety of spectators as well as drivers. After all, the F1 vehicles will be traveling at speeds of up to 190 miles per hour, and crashes on the F1 circuit are far from rare. In charge of the installation (and much of the engineering) on the so- called "debris" or "catch" fence which is designed to contain flying parts from the race cars as well as slow them down and stop them if they leave the track, is Global Fence and Gate, head- quartered in Dallas. Project manager Brad Epstein said that installation of the 6.5 miles of de- bris fence was completed in late sum- mer. This installation involved some 3,000 footings or foundations, the placement of which was so exacting that Global crews used a GPS system Photos courtesy Circuit of The Americas Special safety fence protects Formula 1 drivers and spectators from dangers that were common in the "old days" up being in the 22-24 mile range. "We have far exceeded the manu- facturer's (Swiss firm Geobrugg) pro- jections for the debris fence. In fact, they have sent people who have taken notes on our process and efficiency," said Epstein. "The GC has also spoken up several times about how surprised they are at our progress, especially with the huge scope we have." He noted that much of Global's work schedule was determined by the continued on page 9 Rubber tire filled barriers contribute extra safety and impact absorption for the cars. Below, Global installers as- semble a stretch of the special catch fence manufactured by Geobrugg AG, headquartered in Romanshorn, Switzerland. Top, special barriers and catch fence protect spectators in the main viewing area leading to Turn 1. This photo was taken as the race facility was about a month from completion. Above, Global crews work around other contractors, including those surfacing the track. This was a major logistical concern during the project. to aid in their placement. Global had completed the pit wall fence and gate about a month earlier, and at the time this was written were nearing completion of approximately 14 miles of chain link and ornamental fence, and about 75 gates. The total amount of fencing involved will end