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IndyCar
V8: Supercars Headed To Texas In 2013
SPEED.com can reveal the Austin, Texas-based Circuit of the Americas has signed a five-year deal to host the V8 Supercars series.
As chronicled by SPEED.com early in June, the search for a venue to host the first V8 Supercars race in the United States ranked high on the list of priorities for series CEO Tony Cochrane, and less than a month later, they've finally found a partner.
Starting in 2013, the Austin, Texas-based Circuit of the Americas will host a standalone V8 Supercars race as part of a five-year deal.
With previously announced deals to bring Formula One and MotoGP to the 3.4-mile road course, Texas Governor Rick Perry believes the addition of the popular tin-top series will benefit his state’s economy.
“While Texas has established itself as the nation’s place for business, it’s quickly becoming the nation’s place for big sporting events, as well,” said Perry. “V8 Supercars now joins Formula One, MotoGP, NASCAR, the NFL, NBA, NCAA and USTA, among the many that have chosen Texas to host major events in the last few years. This is more good news for the Lone Star State, and will provide a significant boost to the economy of Central Texas.”
V8 Supercars CEO Tony Cochrane was rightfully proud to announce his series will venture to an enthusiastic new market.
“North Americans have embraced V8 Supercars through the SPEED network in a way that is beyond anything we could have imagined,” Cochrane said. "It’s an amazing feat for an Australian-born sport, or business, to have such popularity in the world’s largest motorsport market. This is a huge deal for V8 Supercars and one that all Australians should be proud of."
The date for the inaugural V8 race at Austin is still to be determined, but the format, two 200km races, were revealed and SPEED has been confirmed as the television partner.
SPEED's Leigh Diffey, a native Australian and long-time member of the V8 family, expects the twin-200km format--which is similar to the twin-300km Gold Coast 600 V8 format used at Surfers Paradise--to attract a lot of interest from America's finest NASCAR, IndyCar and sports car drivers.
"They have seen the Gold Coast 600 format become so popular, that I think that if the series chooses to go down that road with the Circuit of the Americas event, they'd have an overwhelming amount of interest from the best drivers we have in the 'States."
The Gold Coast 600 is unique amongst top-tier racing series, where the organizers invite major international drivers to co-drive in each of the 28 cars, holding a 300km race on Saturday and a second 300km event on Sunday.
"If they were to do an interesting format like they do at the Gold Coast, and invite guys like Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Juan Montoya, Jimmie Johnson and run down the list of the IndyCar guys and sports car drivers, I think you'd give fans of all forms of racing a perfect reason to head to Texas to watch V8s. With Ford and [GM owned] Holden as the two big manufacturers in V8s right now, and who knows, there could me more manufacturers by the time they come here in 2013, I think it could be a very popular event.”
James Courtney, the reigning V8 Supercars champion, says he can't wait to unleash his 600-horsepower Toll Holden Commodore VE in America.
“It’s a huge opportunity for the drivers and the sport to showcase ourselves in America. It’s going to be a huge event for us and a great occasion for everyone. I think V8 Supercars are going to slot in their nicely. Texans definitely like everything big and loud and that’s exactly what V8 Supercars are. They are going to love the way we bash each other, getting sideways and smoking the tires. I definitely think they will take to it with both hands and really get into it.”
Courtney's good friend, three-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, got his first taste of V8 Supercars racing last year at Surfers Paradise and says the Gold Coast 600 format would be a good fit in Texas.
"I love the V8 series, it's a great championship," he told SPEED.com on Thursday. "This move was a masterstroke by the Circuit of the Americas guys. If they add in a bunch of guest drivers like they do at Surfers, it would be great. I hope the race gets the kind of support it deserves from race fans. I really do."
Toowoomba, Australia's Will Power, who is currently locked in a battle with Franchitti for the 2011 IndyCar championship, was excited and slightly shocked to learn that V8s will be coming to America.
"No way...are you serious?" he said Thursday evening. Asked if he'd like to be included in the inaugural V8 race in America, Power didn't mince his words.
"If they ask me and I can go, I'm there. Absolutely. The racing is just amazing. From what I've seen of the [Circuit of the Americas] layout, it's going to be a great facility. I'm so pumped about this."
Like Power, provided Franchitti is invited and gets clearance to drive, he'd gladly add the race in Austin to his calendar.
"The first things I'd do is ring Chip [Ganassi, his IndyCar team owner]," he continued. "Chip's been really good about letting me drive other cars, provided the schedule allows for it. If it was a good team and I could do it, I'd be all over it."
While some American fans are unfamiliar with the size and importance of Australian's No. 1 racing series, Diffey says it doesn't take long to appreciate how deeply ingrained it has become Down Under.
"In Australia, V8 Supercars is on par with what we have here with NASCAR in terms of the level of interest and support it receives from fans. It has become--since going to the Ford vs. Holden format in the 1990s--part of Australian culture. It's not a sport; it's part of the culture. The battle lines are divided. Once you are a Ford fan, you'd never become a Holden fan.
“NASCAR's a bit different where fans tend to be more loyal to the driver, but with the V8s, it's all about manufacturer loyalty. They have their driver favorites, but if you're a Blue Oval fan, that never changes, and vice versa. It’s one of the top three sports in Australia, and now that it has received FIA sanctioning to also race internationally, I expect the popularity of the V8 series to go through the roof.”
Diffey is also convinced the unique approach the V8 series takes to its events will have a major impact on all those who attend the Circuit of the Americas race.
"What the circuit will benefit from and learn from--and the same can be said for any other racing series that comes to watch the V8 race in Austin, is how to put on a show. Not how to put on a race meeting, but how to put on a show. The race meeting itself is just one part of the show. The V8 series have become event specialists. Never is there a dull moment. If you’ve paid your money to sit in the stands, you will be entertained every moment of the day. It's just an entirely different philosophy that should resonate with all those who attend."
Will the V8 Supercars succeed deep in the heart of Texas? Share your thoughts below.
Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, covering IndyCar and sports cars. He also contributes to Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
Starting in 2013, the Austin, Texas-based Circuit of the Americas will host a standalone V8 Supercars race as part of a five-year deal.
With previously announced deals to bring Formula One and MotoGP to the 3.4-mile road course, Texas Governor Rick Perry believes the addition of the popular tin-top series will benefit his state’s economy.
“While Texas has established itself as the nation’s place for business, it’s quickly becoming the nation’s place for big sporting events, as well,” said Perry. “V8 Supercars now joins Formula One, MotoGP, NASCAR, the NFL, NBA, NCAA and USTA, among the many that have chosen Texas to host major events in the last few years. This is more good news for the Lone Star State, and will provide a significant boost to the economy of Central Texas.”
V8 Supercars CEO Tony Cochrane was rightfully proud to announce his series will venture to an enthusiastic new market.
“North Americans have embraced V8 Supercars through the SPEED network in a way that is beyond anything we could have imagined,” Cochrane said. "It’s an amazing feat for an Australian-born sport, or business, to have such popularity in the world’s largest motorsport market. This is a huge deal for V8 Supercars and one that all Australians should be proud of."
The date for the inaugural V8 race at Austin is still to be determined, but the format, two 200km races, were revealed and SPEED has been confirmed as the television partner.
SPEED's Leigh Diffey, a native Australian and long-time member of the V8 family, expects the twin-200km format--which is similar to the twin-300km Gold Coast 600 V8 format used at Surfers Paradise--to attract a lot of interest from America's finest NASCAR, IndyCar and sports car drivers.
"They have seen the Gold Coast 600 format become so popular, that I think that if the series chooses to go down that road with the Circuit of the Americas event, they'd have an overwhelming amount of interest from the best drivers we have in the 'States."
The Gold Coast 600 is unique amongst top-tier racing series, where the organizers invite major international drivers to co-drive in each of the 28 cars, holding a 300km race on Saturday and a second 300km event on Sunday.
"If they were to do an interesting format like they do at the Gold Coast, and invite guys like Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Juan Montoya, Jimmie Johnson and run down the list of the IndyCar guys and sports car drivers, I think you'd give fans of all forms of racing a perfect reason to head to Texas to watch V8s. With Ford and [GM owned] Holden as the two big manufacturers in V8s right now, and who knows, there could me more manufacturers by the time they come here in 2013, I think it could be a very popular event.”
James Courtney, the reigning V8 Supercars champion, says he can't wait to unleash his 600-horsepower Toll Holden Commodore VE in America.
“It’s a huge opportunity for the drivers and the sport to showcase ourselves in America. It’s going to be a huge event for us and a great occasion for everyone. I think V8 Supercars are going to slot in their nicely. Texans definitely like everything big and loud and that’s exactly what V8 Supercars are. They are going to love the way we bash each other, getting sideways and smoking the tires. I definitely think they will take to it with both hands and really get into it.”
Courtney's good friend, three-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, got his first taste of V8 Supercars racing last year at Surfers Paradise and says the Gold Coast 600 format would be a good fit in Texas.
"I love the V8 series, it's a great championship," he told SPEED.com on Thursday. "This move was a masterstroke by the Circuit of the Americas guys. If they add in a bunch of guest drivers like they do at Surfers, it would be great. I hope the race gets the kind of support it deserves from race fans. I really do."
Toowoomba, Australia's Will Power, who is currently locked in a battle with Franchitti for the 2011 IndyCar championship, was excited and slightly shocked to learn that V8s will be coming to America.
"No way...are you serious?" he said Thursday evening. Asked if he'd like to be included in the inaugural V8 race in America, Power didn't mince his words.
"If they ask me and I can go, I'm there. Absolutely. The racing is just amazing. From what I've seen of the [Circuit of the Americas] layout, it's going to be a great facility. I'm so pumped about this."
Like Power, provided Franchitti is invited and gets clearance to drive, he'd gladly add the race in Austin to his calendar.
"The first things I'd do is ring Chip [Ganassi, his IndyCar team owner]," he continued. "Chip's been really good about letting me drive other cars, provided the schedule allows for it. If it was a good team and I could do it, I'd be all over it."
While some American fans are unfamiliar with the size and importance of Australian's No. 1 racing series, Diffey says it doesn't take long to appreciate how deeply ingrained it has become Down Under.
"In Australia, V8 Supercars is on par with what we have here with NASCAR in terms of the level of interest and support it receives from fans. It has become--since going to the Ford vs. Holden format in the 1990s--part of Australian culture. It's not a sport; it's part of the culture. The battle lines are divided. Once you are a Ford fan, you'd never become a Holden fan.
“NASCAR's a bit different where fans tend to be more loyal to the driver, but with the V8s, it's all about manufacturer loyalty. They have their driver favorites, but if you're a Blue Oval fan, that never changes, and vice versa. It’s one of the top three sports in Australia, and now that it has received FIA sanctioning to also race internationally, I expect the popularity of the V8 series to go through the roof.”
Diffey is also convinced the unique approach the V8 series takes to its events will have a major impact on all those who attend the Circuit of the Americas race.
"What the circuit will benefit from and learn from--and the same can be said for any other racing series that comes to watch the V8 race in Austin, is how to put on a show. Not how to put on a race meeting, but how to put on a show. The race meeting itself is just one part of the show. The V8 series have become event specialists. Never is there a dull moment. If you’ve paid your money to sit in the stands, you will be entertained every moment of the day. It's just an entirely different philosophy that should resonate with all those who attend."
Will the V8 Supercars succeed deep in the heart of Texas? Share your thoughts below.
Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, covering IndyCar and sports cars. He also contributes to Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
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