Moto GP Attracts International Fan Base to Circuit of the Americas
Written By: Nancy Coblenz,
CEO, Rebel Role Model
Pictures By: Nancy Coblenz
Approaching the race track at Circuit of the Americas on a crisply chilled day, the weather was unusual, but the roar of sports bikes whizzing by was typical. With record-breaking attendance, at more than 57,000 Moto Grand Prix and Moto America fans, the passion was palpable. With the integration of American and European motorcycle fans, the three-day event was much more than motorcycles reaching speeds of 210 miles per hour.
As the premier international motorcycle Grand Prix event, hosted in Austin, Texas, celebrities from all over the world partake in the adrenaline pumping weekend. The racing pits were buzzing with the who's who among famous racers from the past and present, reminiscing of the best racing moments in Moto GP and Moto America (then called AMA) of their times.
This year, Moto America featured the brand-new build of the Suzuki GSX-R600, GSXR-1000, and the Yamaha R6 and R1, adding, even more, anticipation for a memorable racing series. Thus, gaining a podium win is just as much a win for the racing team, as it is for the motorcycle manufacturer since the fans want to ride the very bikes their idols race on.
Notable crashes occurred, severely impacting the results for front running series racers. To add to the excitement, rookie racers in each league stunned the fans with awe-inspiring feats, exceeding everyone's expectations.
The best races in history always display a monumental battle between racing idols, and this year was no exception. With an early crash from Maverick Viñales, a leader in the entire racing circuit, the fans gasped in disbelief. The battle came down to Marc Marquez, the veteran winner at Circuit of the Americas, against Valentino Rossi, the namesake of Moto GP. In the end, Marquez prevailed with his fifth, first-place consecutive win at this very race track. An accomplishment only he has made.
But the bleachers and fields were filled with bright yellow flags, shirts, and hats labeled, "The Doctor #46”, branding a love for Valentino Rossi, who finished third. This was a better result than last year's preceding race where he crashed early on.
Concurrently, the MotoAmerica racing series called "Championship of Texas" drew in a more local fan base. This racing league features two full-throttle races, as opposed to Moto GP, where there is only one chance to dominate each track. Surprisingly, both MotoAmerica races yielded the same first place winner, Tony Elias, who is favored to be the front-runner of MotoAmerica's full series champion.
Austin presents a unique racing experience where there is no other race track in the world that boasts such a large personality with a Texan drawl. Europeans flock to this racing series, just because they yearn to experience the true "America”, full of longhorns, beer, cowboy boots, and sassy women. And, Circuit of the Americas definitely does not disappoint. Providing all the Texan essentials - brisket, pulled pork, local beer, cowboy hats, and a track - are just as big as Texas itself. It attracts a diverse community of motorcycle riders, racers, and enthusiasts worldwide. When all the racing and celebrating came to an end and the racing pits began to clear out, most fans were already anxiously planning the following year's trip to live among racing idols at Circuit of the Americas.