Formula 1 benefits touted by local leaders
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
With just two weeks until the first events of the United States Grand Prix kick off in Austin, more than a thousand fans and supporters packed a downtown Austin hotel.
Filmmaker and actor Ron Howard was the keynote speaker. Howard is finishing work on his newest film Rush, which centers on Formula 1 racing in the late 70s.
He says the film-making process has been similar to his work on Apollo 13, telling an emotional story about people in a very complex, technical world.
The academy award winner says he hopes F1's return to the United States and his film will bring more attention to the sport.
"I really hope that the movie does awaken people to the excitement and the drama and sort of the human interest side of the sport," Howard said.
Howard says he'll be back in Austin later this month for the inaugural U.S. Grand Prix.
Local and state government leaders were also on hand to tout the economic benefits they expect to see.