AUSTIN (KXAN) — A major race returns to the Circuit of the Americas this weekend as the Fanatec GT World Challenge America takes place at the track.
Along with sports car racing, the three-day festival of speed offers engaging activities for fans of all ages.
Children under 12 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. So far, more than 10,000 tickets have been sold.
During this weekend, more than 140 cars will race around the track, representing brands such as Aston Martin, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota and Nissan, to name a few.
Unlike other racing events at COTA, this event is relatively open and accessible to those who attend.
“With a general admission ticket, you can enter the paddock,” said COTA Vice President of Motorsports Reid Atherton. “You can see the drivers, the cars and all the team members up close.”
The venue will also host a sensory pit lane walk.
One of the race car drivers, Kyle Loh, who has overcome the challenges of autism, will host a briefing on Sunday, before the start of the grid. He will share his experience and talk about the many sensory stimuli that racing offers.
Atherton added that COTA has partnered with some local nonprofits to offer a sensory-free experience.
“We’ll provide them with a suite and provide an understanding of the sounds, sights and smells of the track,” he said.
To promote education, some children and families will take a behind-the-scenes tour of the venue. They will be able to talk to the race car drivers and engineers, learning all about the different aspects of racing.
Some very special guests will have the opportunity of a lifetime, to jump into one of the race cars for a ‘hot lap’ around the track.
SRO Motorsports Group, which organizes this weekend’s event, is an international sports organization that organizes racing events around the world. The European-based company recently named Austin as its American headquarters.
SRO Motorsports America CEO Greg Gill says they recently named Austin as their American headquarters.
“We are located all over the world, but Austin was an easy choice,” he said. “When you look at the combination of technology and automotive companies, it was an easy decision to make Austin our hub for American racing.
COTA doors open at 7:30am every day this weekend and to buy tickets, you can click here.
