"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.

European GP: Race Preview

Sebastian Vettel at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

When I think of Valencia, I think of F1, oranges and paella. I know, I seem to always have food on my mind, I can't help it!

I am super excited that another race weekend is here, and a street circuit at that. Everyone is saying it, "Seven races and seven winners, no one knows what will happen next!", I dare to differ this week. Based on historical data (from Wiki) and intense mathematics calculations (not really), I am going to say Vettel has the best chance of winning this weekend.

You see, Vettel has won the last two years in a row at this circuit. That's pretty great record for this sport. Not to mention all the rumors this week about Vettel and his pre-contract with Ferrari in 2014 will come with extra pressure to perform. It'd be great if Schumacher or Raikkonen takes the crown to continue to mix things up for the championship, but the odds are ever so slightly against them.

As always, on top of the on-track actions, I'll be watching for the Grid Girls outfit and crowning the Best Post-race hair award. Can't wait for the qualifying and the race this weekend. Catch you again on the European Grand Prix Race Recap!

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.

Blast From The Past at Formula Expo

Bud Moeller with Historic Grand Prix at Formula Expo from The Austin Grand Prix on Vimeo.

Learn more about the Historic Grand Prix, "The World's Fastest Museum," with F1 Pilot Bud Moeller.

The goal of the Historic Grand Prix is to preserve motorsports history while showcasing the 3.0 litre era of F1 during 1966-1983. HGP had an amazing collection of Formula 1 cars at Formula Expo in Austin, Texas. What was most interesting to me is that the owners of these rolling artifacts get to personally race them, sometimes competing against former racers!

Some of the handsome cars on display included a Lotus 79 once driven by Mario Andretti, Ferrari 312-T5 driven by Gilles Villenevue, McLaren M-30 driven by Alain Prost and March 821 driven by Jochen Mass. You can see more in our Formula Expo Picture Gallery.

Check Historic Grand Prix's schedule to see if they are coming to a track near you. They will be at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut over Labor Day weekend and at Watkins Glen the following weekend. Hopefully we will see them bring history alive at Circuit of The Americas in the near future.