Circuit of The Americas (COTA) treated approximately 120 motorcyclists and their guests to free laps around COTA’s 3.4-mile track, which was purposely built for the kind of world-class motorcycle racing that will return to Austin in just three weeks when COTA hosts MotoGP’s 2014 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas April 11-13.
The track laps preceded a free race-watching party in COTA’s Velocity Lounge for fans eager to catch MotoGP’s first competition of the 2014 season, the Grand Prix of Qatar. The exciting race, which included numerous lead changes and a nail-biting fight to the finish between nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team and reigning World Champion Marc Marquez of the Repsol Honda Team, was ultimately won by Marquez. The 21-year phenomenon won his very first MotoGP race at COTA last year, and he returns to action this season after missing important preseason test sessions while nursing a broken fibula bone in his right leg.
In 2014 COTA will be one of only two U.S. locations to host a MotoGP event, which is the pinnacle of all motorcycle World Championships. MotoGP consists of 19 races in 14 countries on five continents with pan-global television coverage. The world’s most skilled riders, including current U.S. riders Colin Edwards of Texas and 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden of Kentucky, compete with cutting-edge, prototype motorcycle technology produced by Ducati, Yamaha and Honda, as well manufacturers supporting the new Open class.
“The official countdown is underway to the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, and we wanted to kick off the 2014 season by giving fans a chance to enjoy the first MotoGP race together, “COTA’s Vice President of Public and Media Relations Julie Loignon said. “Today guests were also treated to a very special experience—the opportunity to ride around our world-class racing circuit and enjoy the view MotoGP riders will have when they return to compete in Austin just three weeks from now.”
Tickets for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas start at $39 and can be purchased at www.circuitoftheamericas.com/motogp. Children ages 12 and under receive FREE general admission with a ticketed adult. Three-day paddock passes, plus on-site parking and camping options are still available for purchase.
About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, is the home of world championships and a world-class destination for premium sports and entertainment. COTA has been nominated as the 2014 “Sports Facility of the Year” by SportsBusiness Journal/Daily. The same publication named COTA’s annual marquee event, the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, “Sports Event of the Year” for 2013. Additionally, COTA is the new North American home for the summer edition of ESPN’s X Games. More than one million visitors come to COTA each year for events such as MotoGP™, United Sportscar Racing, the FIA World Endurance Championships, business and social functions, and more than 20 performances at the venue’s acclaimed Austin360 Amphitheater, winner of Pollstar’s “Best New Major Concert Venue” award for 2013. COTA’s 1,500-acre campus includes a variety of permanent structures, including a 44,000-square foot Event Center, an impressive Main Grandstand with hospitality suites and the Velocity Lounge, a 270,000-square foot Paddock Building with 34 garages, and an iconic 25-story Observation Tower at the heart of the facility. For more information and downloadable video and photos, visit: www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com, www.Austin360Amphitheater.com or COTA’s dedicated FTP site, media.circuitoftheamericas.com. Follow COTA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CircuitofTheAmericas and Twitter @circuitamericas and @COTAmedia.