Circuit of the Americas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Circuit of The Americas

Full Grand Prix circuit
Location	Elroy, Texas, 12 miles (19 km) south of Austin, Texas
Time zone	UTC−6 / −5 (DST)
Coordinates	30°7′58″N 97°38′28″W / 30.13278°N 97.64111°W / 30.13278; -97.64111
Capacity	120,000
FIA Grade	1
Owner	Circuit of The Americas LLC
Broke ground	December 31, 2010
Opened	October 21, 2012
Architect	Hermann Tilke Miró Rivera Architects
Major events	FIA Formula One United States Grand Prix (2012–present) FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix of the Americas (2013–present) FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas (2013–present) V8 Supercars Austin 400 (2013) American Le Mans Series International Sports Car Weekend (2013) Rolex Sports Car Series Grand-Am of the Americas (2013) IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Lone Star Le Mans (2014–2017) Summer X Games (2014–2016)
Grand Prix Circuit (2012–present)
Length	3.427 mi (5.513 km)
Turns	20
Race lap record	1:39.347 ( Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2012)

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a grade 1 FIA specification 3.427-mile (5.515 km) motor racing facility located in Elroy, on the southeastern periphery of Austin city limits, in Central Texas. The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license.

The circuit hosts the United States Grand Prix. Starting in 2013, it will host MotoGP races. It will also host a round of V8 Supercars, an Australia-based touring car racing series, starting in 2013.

The circuit was one of only a handful on the Formula One 2012 calendar to be run counter-clockwise. Because of this, the circuit contains more left-hand turns than right-hand ones, placing greater physical demands on the drivers whose bodies, particularly their necks, are more adapted to the lateral g-forces of clockwise circuits.

Major features on site

Grand Plaza

Bordered by the track on three sides, the Grand Plaza is a 20 acres (0.081 km²) space designed by Miró Rivera Architects of Austin, Texas that includes a large reflecting pool, lawn, and varying landscape zones. A promenade along the north side of the Grand Plaza hosts concessions, retail, restroom facilities, and entrances to spectator seating. From the southeast end of the Grand Plaza, two pedestrian bridges cross over turns 16 and 3 to provide access for visitors to other areas of the circuit complex.

Observation Tower

Circuit of the Americas features a 251 feet (77 m) observation tower. The structure of the tower consists of an elevator hoist-way surrounded by a double helix staircase of 419 stairs, both of which lead to an observation platform 230 feet (70 m) above ground level. The platform provides a 360-degree panorama of the circuit, as well as views to downtown Austin, Texas. The observation platform, which is accessible to the public for an admission fee, can accommodate up to 70 visitors and features glass railings and a partial glass floor.

Lap records

† uses a shorter 3.7 km section of the track.

Images for kids

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  The 251-foot (77 m) observation tower under construction at Circuit of the Americas

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  Hairpin Turn 11 before completion

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  The Circuit of the Americas facilities in 2018

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  Main straight and turn 1 hill

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  Crowd at COTA on race day

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  Circuit of the Americas during the 2018 US Grand Prix

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  Pit lane

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  COTA on race day

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  Collective Soul performing at the Tower Amphitheater

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  The Germania Insurance Amphitheater as seen from the top of the tower

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  World RX layout of Circuit of the Americas

See also

In Spanish: Circuito de las Américas para niños