"COTA Has Character" Claims Australian V8 Supercars' Winterbottom

Circuit of The Americas is proving their open arms mentality; in August 2011 we saw David Coulthard pilot the Red Bull Racing Showcar on a gravel track, in April of this year Alexis DeJoria took a Toyota Tundra on the pre-asphalt terrain. Earlier this month the newly-announced COTA Ambassador Mario Andretti showed us what a Cadillac Escalade was capable of on the newly-laid asphalt. Today, we got to see what a good 'ol American muscle car could stir up as COTA welcomed the fourth driver to test out the track, Australian V8 Supercars Driver Mark Winterbottom.

V8 Supercars is an Australian-based race series; one of the world's largest and best known touring car categories because it is recognized internationally as a leader in motorsport and entertainment. Mark is in the US as part of a media tour promoting his involvement with the Disney-PIXAR movie Cars 2, whereby he "plays" the character "Frosty" in the Australian version of the film. Before the end of the month, Mark will fly back to California for the opening of "Cars Land" at Disneyland.

While in Austin, he did a great job at hitting up many popular and uniquely Austin attractions - getting a pair of cowboy boots, enjoying great B-B-Q at Stubb's, visiting Jesse James at his Austin Speed Shop and enjoying an antelope burger at Elroy's Wild Bubba's Wild Game Grill (right next to the circuit). Mark had this to say about Austin:

Austin has a really cool vibe. There’s lots to see and do, and I think international visitors will find the city very sophisticated, yet laid back and welcoming. It’s a great destination for motorsports enthusiasts and their families because there’s something for everyone in terms of good food, great shopping, exceptional music and entertainment, loads of parks and recreational activities, and, of course, a purpose-built Grand Prix circuit that will host some of the best auto racing in the world!

But what about the circuit? He drove a Ford Mustang GT through the back portion of the racecourse, from Turns 5-12 and also had the opportunity to preview the rest of it. Like many, he was amazed at the 130' elevation spike going up Turn 1, but he was equally impressed with the changes in height throughout the circuit, adding the numerous turns would make for great driving. He added:

The circuit’s topography, including the dramatic changes in elevation, will make for some really fun racing and a great show for fans. While I didn’t get to drive the full circuit, the sequence of turns I did sample were fantastic, and I can’t wait to come back and take a lap around the finished racecourse. Circuit of The Americas will be a welcome addition to our future V8 Supercar line-up!

 Check it out for yourself in this video clip:

Mark Winterbottom Drives COTA from The Austin Grand Prix on Vimeo.

Now the question remains, when will we see the V8SC here in Austin? Stay tuned for the 2013 race calendar details to be announced.

// V8 Supercars Facts

• The V8 Supercar Championship ("V8 Supercars" or "V8SC") is an Australian-based touring car championship
• 15 annual events across Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East, and they raced at the 2012 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix as a support series during the F1 race weekend
• The world's leading Touring Car Championship recognized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile ("FIA")
• All V8 Supercars run on 85% CSR Ethanol, a renewable fuel made from the bi-product of the sugar refining process
• 2011 race attendance: 1,750,000
• 2011 TV race viewership: 17,500,000
• 130 countries telecast V8 Supercars live (as live or on delay, depending on time zone and programming)
• Estimated annual sponsorship portfolio in excess of $150,000,000

"The Bionic Bride" at Formula Expo

Formula Expo with Ally Smith Babineaux from The Austin Grand Prix on Vimeo.

In addition to speaking with Davy Jones and John McCutchen, II, Ally Smith Babineaux, Godstone Ranch Ambassador of the Heart, also tells us more about the organization and how she got involved.

Dubbed the "Bionic Bride," heart health hits close to home for Allly. After viral cardiomyopathy destroyed her heart in 2006, she was equipped with a system of pumps and wires that made up a HeartMate II. She was able to return to mostly normal function with the aid of the device, which allowed her to see through her wedding plans. However, a few months after the wedding her heart continued to deteriorate and the HeartMate could no longer work. In 2011 her condition miraculously improved the night a donor hear became available. She is now fully recovered and enjoys serving as Godstone Ranch's Ambassador of the Heart.

You can read more about Godstone Ranch Motorsports by visiting their website, here.

Godstone Ranch Motorsports at Formula Expo

One of the most impressive displays at Formula Expo was by Godstone Ranch Motorsports, a Texas-based non-profit organization that races the GRAND-AM circuit to raise awareness and funds for charity. They created a 60' by 8' light wall that illuminated a larger-than-life rendering of Circuit of The Americas. In front of the wall sat a Formula 1 Ferrari provided by Risi Competizione/Ferrari of Houston and Godstone also debuted their "HEART Car" in conjunction with its charitable focus, the American Heart Association of Austin.

In this interview, I chatted with team drivers Davy Jones, Le Mans Champion and Rolex 24 at Daytona Champion, and John McCutchen II, 2009 SCCA Southwest Super Touring Champion, in order to learn more about the series and how it ties into the future of motorsports in Austin. You can read more about Godstone's work by visiting their website, here.

COTA Adding More Seats for November F1 Race

Due to high demand, Circuit of The Americas has just announced additional grandstand seats to be released to the public.

The new Grandstand bleacher seating positions include Turn 9, which slopes toward Turn 10 (the second highest elevation) and gives "an incredible view of the cars a they speed downhill towards Turn 11."

The second option is Turn 11 West which is "the perfect location to spot overtaking cars as they rush down the hill from Turn 10 at speeds of 180 MPH to take the hairpin Turn 11 before accelerating full throttle down the longest straighwaty of the track."

If you have already purchased General Admission tickets, you can call Ticketmaster Fan Support at 1.800.653.8000 with the option to trade in your tickets for bleacher grandstand seating of equal or greater value in these two new turns.

// UPDATE - 5:00PM

Some individuals are reporting additional costs to upgrade to Turn 9 ($290) and Turn 11 West ($260) when they call Ticketmaster.

New aerial photograph of Turns 9 & 11 grandstands. Image courtesy of COTA.

Update on 2012-06-20 22:54 by Kevin Olsen

COTA shared this note about upgrading your General Admission seats to the newly-released bleacher seating:

As a purchaser of General Admission tickets, you have the option to apply the value of your General Admission ticket(s) towards the newly available Turn 9 or Turn 11 West tickets. 

The newly created Turn 9 and Turn 11 West Grandstand pricing is consistent with previously available grandstands. We are simply making this opportunity available for all General Admission ticket buyers since these Grandstands were not available during the public onsale. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you apply the value of your initial purchase towards seats of greater value, you will be required to pay the difference.

To exchange your tickets, or to answer any questions you may have, please call Ticketmaster Fan Support at 1.800.653.8000.

Austin's Inaugural Formula Expo is This Weekend

Ian Weightman of Formula Expo from The Austin Grand Prix on Vimeo.

// Overview

Formula Expo is a new event, envisioned by longtime racing fan and Austin resident, Ian Weightman. Ian's dream was to bring multiple elements of Formula 1™ to Austin and allow residents to learn more about the sport, hands on. In conjunction with Circuit of The Americas™, Formula Expo is taking place in downtown Austin this weekend at the Austin Convention Center. The expo hall has been transformed and will consist of various interactive areas, or zones.

// Zones

Formula Expo Race Zone - Formula 1 cars on display from Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, Williams F1 and Lotus F1.

Fun Zone - 8 interactive simulators to hold hourly competitions with the winners being awarded trophies on the podium; Pit-Stop Challenge whereby participants experience what it's like to be part of an F1™ team pit-crew; photo opportunities in an F1 racing suit and while seated in an F1 show car; test your reflexes and peripheral vision against stats set by F1 World Champions using the reflex trainer.

History Zone - showcasing the evolution of cars, technology and safety; seven F1 cars on display from the Historic Grand Prix; Texas All British Car Days and International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, New York. Travel through time by enjoying decades of F1 images from Sutton Images.

Technology Zone - learn what makes the formula of Formula 1 racing, including the key technologies KERS (kinetic energy recovery systems), DRS (drag reduction system), the green technology of the sport and more.

COTA Zone - Get an update on progress and see the latest renderings; opportunities to discuss ticket options with representatives; learn more about the Pirelli GP Challenge

Expo Stage - Interviews and talks from faces of F1 (names TBA); live music with performances by the inaugural Band of The Year contestants.

Exotic Car & Motorsports Zone - Showcasing manufacturers including Lotus, Ferrari, McLaren Automotive and Lamborghini.

F1 Sports Bar & Restaurant Zones - F1-themed sports bar with fare from Austin area restaurants.

Austin Zone - exhibits from local Austin businesses and organizations including Austin Music Commission, Austin Technology Council, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Austin Economic Development Office and a number of local artists.

// Details

What: Formula Expo

When: Saturday, June 16 from 9AM-7PM and Sunday, June 17 (Father's Day) from 9:00AM to 6:00PM

Where: Southwest corner of the Austin Convention Center in Halls 1, 2 and 3. 500 East Cesar Chavez St., Austin, Texas 78701. 512-476-5461.

Admission: $15 for online tickets; $50 for a family 4-pack; $20 at the door. Click here to purchase tickets directly or here to purchase discounted tickets.

Parking: Ample parking in the surrounding Austin Convention Center parking garages. The closest is the 2nd Street Garage. Click here for complete directions, maps and parking.

Beneficiaries: A portion of the ticket sales will go to The Seton Fund to benefit patients at Seton Community Health Centers.

// On-Going Coverage

We spoke to many of the participants today and will continue to share content. So if you can't make it to Austin, keep visiting this site throughout the weekend!

COTA May Add More Tickets

Circuit of The Americas track map. Image courtesy of COTA.

We've been fielding many great questions about tickets for this November's Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas. Recent reports from COTA are that ticket sales have been "brisk" and we've heard stories of popular grandstands being sold out. Yesterday we received a heads up from a fan that the only available tickets were General Admission.

COTA just announced they will consider adding new grandstand sections to accommodate customer requests for three-day reserved grandstand bleacher seats. Circuit Vice President of Public and Community Relations Julie Loignon said:

We have experienced incredible demand for reserved grandstand seating tickets, and customers have quickly purchased our available inventory. As such, we are considering installing more reserved seats between Turns 9 and 10 and between Turns 11 and 12 in place of other types of seating that had been planned for those areas.  We will release more information about new grandstand inventory and when additional reserved seats might be available for purchase as soon as possible.
 
We continue to see steady sales of personal seat licenses with premium seating and on-site parking at the Circuit. We are extremely pleased with how things are going overall, since our public ticket sales began less than a week ago.

Just a reminder that you should purchase your tickets from COTA by visiting their dedicated ticket site, www.COTAUSGP.com.

Also to note, COTA will release additional information about Grand Prix transportation and travel packages, facility hours of operation, special events and entertainment, and items permitted inside the circuit in the coming weeks.