Located near the small town of Elroy, 14 miles southeast of downtown Austin, the Circuit of the Americas race track has transformed the rural area into a global hotspot. F1 is the most glamorous racing sport, with wealthy fans from Dubai to Mexico City. Every Formula 1 race is accompanied by glitzy invitation-only parties on the track and in downtown Austin. Racing fans unrelated to Saudi royalty may not be invited to every party, but they can still enjoy the action on the track.
The world comes to Austin
For the annual Grand Prix race, up to 40,000 fans from other countries come to Austin. People from Mexico and Canada make up a large part of the international crowd, but fans from Spain, Italy, England and South America also flock to Austin for the race.
What the locals say
The impact of the sticker is Austin’s most frequent complaint. Everything is expensive, including parking, food, and drinks. The facilities themselves receive high praise, and traffic management has been excellent, even though the main road leading to the track has only two lanes.
What is special about the track?
Home to the prestigious Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) track is the first in the United States to be built from the ground up specifically for the Grand Prix race. The 133-foot track’s elevation change challenges drivers and gives fans a number of different points of view. The best view is from the 251-foot observation tower. Designed by Miró Rivera Architects, the iconic tower features bright red tubes that cover one side of the tower and rise above it to form a canopy.
Other events held at COTA
In addition to Formula 1 events, the track hosts other types of races, including MotoGP competitions, X Games, vintage car racing, and even human-powered race events.
Music fans can watch big name acts, ranging from Pitbull to Sting, in the track’s 5,200-seat amphitheater. Some of the performances are post-race concerts, but the venue also hosts shows on non-race days.
Get there
The most ostentatious way to get to the runway is by helicopter. For a nice change, you can get a ride from downtown via Alamo Helicopters. For those who may be a little more budget conscious, there is also a $ 5 shuttle bus that picks up at the corner of 4th and Trinity near the Austin Convention Center.
Ownership changes
A series of ownership changes in 2017 can mean significant changes in the types of races and other events that occur at COTA. As of now, F1 racing is assured for the next two years, but there is speculation about what may happen in 2020 and beyond.
Circuit of the Americas
9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, Austin, TX 78617
(512) 301-6600
