The new 'COTA' name and logo was launched today in Austin
The Austin GP venue has been branded as the “Circuit of the Americas,” it was announced this afternoon in the Texan city.
The track will also host Moto GP from 2013, a year after its debut as an F1 venue.
A statement from the organisers explained that “the brand signifies that the centre will be a premier destination in the western hemisphere where business leaders, entertainers and sports fans come to see world-class performances. The name draws on the history and tradition of motorsports racing globally and serves as an invitation to every fan seeking a premier entertainment experience.”
Tavo Hellmund, the chairman of the event added: “We are building a destination for entertainment and business, not simply a race track, and this brand reflects that entire idea. Racing days will account for a total of about 30 days a year, but great performances and winning ideas will be inspired by this brand every day.”
Billionaire Red McCombs, one of the key backers of the event, said: “One of the most inviting aspects of the name is the word ‘Americas’.It reflects Austin’s ideal location at the crossroads of North America from north to south, east to west. Also, it speaks to our state as a centre of commerce and cultural exchange in this hemisphere. I look forward to meeting many fans and visitors who will be coming from every country.”
Adam Cooper F1 
Puh-leeze! Who ever said Texans weren’t full of themselves — and “it”.
Be good to actually have a circuit before making this type of announcement!
Tony, I was out there the other day, it is being built 6 six days a week. What a transformation from scrub brush…
I was wondering what the ‘big’ announcement was going to be, since there hasn’t been much done on site other than clearing trees and shrubs. Its farily pretentious given the rather modest monikers most of the Grands Prix have, even the old venues like Monaco and Spa. I do think this circuit will be finished, but this is just PR spin to drum up support and/or deflect criticism.
Would I be wrong to assume that, based on this statement, the Americas have only the equivalent of Rockingham and Snetterton, with Austin being the only high standard circuit?
Hilarious, I do love such entertaining PR/ advertising. I guess that Road America, Indianapolis- with its road circuit, oval and motor cycle facilities- and San Luis, Argentina, are not worthy of the title? Pahhlease… A heavily European influenced, Tilked circuit is nothing compared to American race circuits…
I have no issue with the name so long as the circuit is decent and it has good facilities for teams and fans.
That is a ridiculous name, to say the least.
First of all, how many circuits are there in the Americas (not just the US, but all the other countries in North, Central and South America). It seems unfair to all other venues that this particular place has now meant to be THE place. As a prowd Brazilian, a country with a prestigious national racing history (especially reflected on emotional and exciting races in Interlagos, São Paulo), I feel demised by such a name.
Tottaly agree with you…In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, we’ve had for years the Autodromo Las Americas, for more 12 years by the way.
Recently Mobil 1 has acquired it and is called Autodromo Mobil 1 Las Americas.
The Santo Domingo track owners should sue Hellemund for trademark infringement and tortious interference with sponsorship. He’s got deep pockets.
Please don’t get caught up with the name, it’s just a name. We locals are proud that Austin was selected for the track. I live just up the road in Round Rock and cannot wait for the F1 and now MotoGP races.
I would invite everyone to visit the new web site, http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com to see what’s going on.
I am looking forward to the completion of this circuit, and I think Austin is an excellent area to have it.
I have the feeling that when most folks go to races at the “Circuit of the Americas”, they will just say they are going to the Grand Prix at/in Austin.
And they’ll ask where Danica is…
lol…
This hasn’t received much publicity, but the Indian track has also been officially named in the last few days as the Buddh International Circuit.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/f1-indian-gp-venue-named-buddh-international-circuit/articleshow/7925228.cms
And the short course is “Buddh Lite”.
“Here we go…”
Buddh International Circuit, or BIC, inevtiably to be sued by the same.
Good one LTO
Not cynicism Adam, more exasperation. United States of Americans wonder why the world seems them as arrogant and full of themselves…. then they do things like this. Up here in Canada we have some great motorsport venues, and around the rest of The Americas are some of the best there are. It may well be a clever way of bringing in corporate conference dollars, but they are doing it at the expense of the racing heritage of the other 600 million non-United Statsians who live in this particular division of the New World. I assume that the Circuit of the Americas will be sharing some of its revenues to help support Motorsport of the Americas? No, of course not.
We aren’t the cynics, they are.
As one citizen of the US, I would tend to agree, its a rather pretentious name given that all they’ve done for the past three months is survey, clear trees and grade some service roads. And yes a cynical ploy.
One thing we Americans never seem to lack is hubris. Personally, I am really looking forward to the racing in Austin; the circuit layout looks like it has great potential. But I really wish the marketing types would stay away. How much do you want to bet that naming the corners will go to the highest bidder, and we will have corners named after American corporations? I could hope that corners would have names that reflect the heritage of racing up and down the American continents… How about names like Andretti, Gurney, Hill, Villeneuve, Senna, Fittipaldi …
oh, and Stewart..(gotta love Sir Jackie)
More likely sold to corporate names like AT&T, HP, BP, Alcoa, Disney, Goldman Sachs…