The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, continues to chase an IndyCar Series race as it works on filling out the calendar for its first full year of operation in 2013.
The still under-construction circuit currently holds contracts to host Formula 1 (beginning this November), V8 Supercars and the American Le Mans Series events, while negotiations to bring a top level motorcycle championship to the venue continue after a previously announced deal with MotoGP proved premature.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s update on the track’s construction from earlier today
COTA vice-president Bruce Knox is understood to have been in discussions with IndyCar for several months, and gauged interest in a potential Austin race among IndyCar officials, teams, drivers and fans while attending last weekend’s GroPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma,
A native of Indiana, Knox classifies himself as a “big IndyCar fan”, and says that the series could benefit greatly by committing to an event at the circuit.
“I personally like IndyCar and I think that from talking with (IndyCar) fans, with teams and with drivers, they would like to be here as well,” Knox told Speedcafe.com.
“I think that people want to be at what they perceive to be the best and most challenging (circuits), and from a driver’s perspective they see this layout as being very challenging.
“I think from a fan’s standpoint, again they want to watch exciting racing and I think our circuit provides that opportunity.
“With the teams and sponsors, being a strong economic area in Texas, and with Austin’s particular proximity to the Mexican and Latin American markets, using this as a permanent home to promote IndyCar racing is definitely something that we would have an interest in.”
Knox added that plans for other events at the circuit such as national level and historic racing, driver training and experiences and automotive manufacturer product launches are being kept fluid until all of the major event dates are locked in.
Should it choose to add the COTA to its 2013 schedule, the IndyCar Series would make three appearances in Texas next season with a new street race in Houston (previously run as a Champ Car event in 2007) already confirmed alongside a return to Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
California is currently the only US state to host three IndyCar events, with the series taking in Long Beach, Fontana and Sonoma.
