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EPA Doing Flyover Of Austin Before F1 Race

AUSTIN (AP) - Federal officials will do air quality flyovers of the Central Texas racetrack where the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix will be held Sunday.

The Environmental Protection Agency scheduled aerial surveys Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday over downtown Austin and the Circuit of The Americas track.

EPA says the review was requested by Travis County and city officials. The plane will be visible to the public, at times flying at an altitude of 500 feet. The agency uses a twin-engine Aero Command 680 with EPA markings.

The 3.4-mile Circuit of The Americas is the first U.S. track built specifically for F1. The track a few miles southeast of downtown Austin will host the F1's first U.S. race since 2007.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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