COTA

March 24, 2019

 

 

COTA

Built in 2012 specifically to host the United States Grand Prix Formula One race, the beautiful Circuit of the Americas has hosted the Formula One race since it opened as well as the Motorcycle Grand Prix of The Americas, a round of the FIM Road Racing World Championship, the Australian V8 Supercars, the American Le Mans Series, the Rolex Sports Car Series, the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

 

Marcus Erikksson

What it had never hosted until this year was the Indy Car series. That changed this year with the announcement of the inaugural Indycar Classic which was to be the second stop of the Indy Car series for 2019. When the announcement was made, I pretty much immediately resigned myself that I would be there to witness the first race. Mostly because I simply love the city of Austin, but also because I had heard so many rave reviews about the racing facility in itself.

Graham Rahal

James Hinchcliffe

The 3.4 mile natural road course was designed with Formula One cars specifically in mind and has taken its place among the best natural terrain road courses in America, if not the world since opening. The track, facility and amenities are all top notch. My first impression upon walking into the place is just how massive it is, the facility sits on a 890 acre property that features steep elevation changes. The track is unique in that it is super wide, features 20 turns and turn one is at the end of a steep uphill climb that turns into a sharp left-hander.

 

From the start line, the drivers climb a gradient of over 11% to the first corner—the highest point of the circuit—with the apex of the corner positioned on the crest of the hill. They descend the hill to navigate a series of fast sweepers modeled on Silverstone's Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel complex and through a blind corner at Turn 10, taking them to the far end of the circuit and a hairpin at Turn 11. The drivers then follow a 0.62-mile (1.00 km) straight back towards the pit and paddock area before entering the final sector of the lap and weaving through a series of corners modeled on Hockenheim's stadium section. This is followed by a downhill, multi-apex corner with limited run-off before the final two corners of the circuit, a pair of left-hand bends that return the drivers to the main straight.

Kyle Kaiser

 

The centerpiece of the facility is a 251 feet observation tower designed by Miró Rivera Architects and built by Patriot Erectors as a landmark for the venue. The structure of the tower consists of an elevator hoist-way surrounded by a double helix staircase of 419 stairs, both of which lead to an observation platform 230 feet (70 m) above ground level. The platform provides a 360-degree panorama of the circuit, as well as views to downtown Austin, Texas.

Robin Miller 

 

Also included with-in the track is a 14,000 seat Austin 360 Amphitheater operated by Live Nation, a 5100 capacity soccer stadium that will be home to the expansion team the Austin Bold who begin play this season, there is also a permanent go-cart track and a zip-line for guests to experience, For this event they also constructed a USAC midget track where the current line-up of drivers in that series could compete over the weekend.

 

Robby Gordon and Rick Mears

In addition to the Indy Cars, there was a full line-up of support series including a pair of Indy Lights races, a pair of Stadium Super Truck races and some sports cars racing as well, which made for a full schedule of activities to enjoy while on hand. My first day there, I mostly hung around the pit lane to watch the first Indy Car practice. There had only previously been a brief test session so the track was pretty new to all the drivers and teams.

Tony Kanaan 

Graham Rahal

Will Power

The first day of practice was led by a familiar face as Penske driver Will Power sat atop the speed chart, followed by rookie Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi. The practice was mostly uneventful though a number of drivers spun off at various places, the wide spaces kept anyone from doing any serious damage.  The Indy Lights and Super Trucks both held practice and qualifying for their initial races to be held the next day, and it was a full and fun day at the track.

Tony Kanaan

Simon Pagenaud

http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/