Australian V8 Supercars Will Race In America

The Australian V8 Supercars will come to America in 2013

The Circuit of The Americas has had busy days and will have even more in the future as they continue to secure top international series to hold motor sports events at their new road course in Austin, Texas. Before even breaking ground, they already have put in a bid to host the cream of the crop in auto racing; Formula One will make their return to the United States in 2012. The contract for the US Grand Prix is for 10 years. That in itself was a major coup.

Tony Cochrane, Chairman of V8 Supercars, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Tavo Hellmund, Founding Partner of Circuit of The Americas

Photo by: Kirk Tuck

In the following year, 2013, the top motorcycle series will make its debut on the Austin circuit. MotoGP currently runs their US GP at Laguna Seca in California and they currently visit America twice for the Indianapolis GP. No word yet from MotoGP rights holders Dorna if they will continue with three grand prix events in the USA or which one will drop. Since Laguna Seca is already contracted through 2014, speculation is that Indianapolis will be dropped if Doran plans on going back to two events on American turf. Of course they have yet to visit Canada.

Even with the circuit still under construction, US GP promoter Tavo Hellmund has been busy securing the new track in southeast Travis County to be one of the top motor sports circuits in the world. The surprising news truly showcases the work that Hellmund has being doing behind the scenes as the Australian V8 Supercar Series will visit the United States for the first time.

“I can’t describe how excited we are to bring the V8 Supercars race to such a spectacular facility. With Formula 1 racing, MotoGP and now V8 Supercars, it’s obvious Circuit of The Americas will be a top-notch destination that houses the best racing on earth, and we are thrilled to be a part of it,” said Tony Cochrane, Chairman of V8 Supercars.

The popular series in Australia has reached out to audiences around the world with their tightly contested events. Recently, The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) announced their approval to sanction the Australian V8 Supercars as an international series. Today, the series signed with the Circuit of The Americas to have an event in Texas starting in 2013. The current agreement is for five years.

The Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, and Queensland (AUS) Premier Anna Bligh were present at today’s announcement, and Cochrane commented, “We have expanded V8 Supercars geographical influence over the past few years with plans to stage up to six races each year to complement our existing events in Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East, ”added Cochrane. ”Our entrance into the United States marks a new day for the series and we're excited for Americans to experience what has made V8 Supercars so popular in many places around the world."

2010 Bathurst 1000 race start

Photo by: John Maricic

No word on if they will be the premier event on the weekend they race at the new circuit or if they might be a support race, possibly with Formula One. The V8 Supercars can surely stand on their own as they have nearly 2 million spectators at their events plus the high numbers of viewers tuning in to catch the action. They appeal to a vast age group from the younger generation to the older one. One of their champions currently campaigns in NASCAR, Marcos Ambrose. Other champions and drivers may race in other series now but it is not a surprise to see them return for one-off events, like David Brabham who enjoys the V8 Supercars main endurance: The Bathurst 1000.

“The addition of V8 Supercars into our lineup at Circuit of The Americas will add to what we already know will be a rich and exhilarating fan experience,” said Steve Sexton, President of Circuit of The Americas. "We’re thrilled the racing world is so excited about our facility. Austin is poised to become the premiere North American destination for international motorsports. In addition to hosting the 4 wheel and 2 wheel world championships, the United States will now enjoy the world’s best touring car series here in Austin.”