With the USA tipped to be joining the V8 Supercar calendar in 2013, Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom recently tested out a section of the ‘Circuit of the Americas’ track, and gave the soon-to-be-completed facility in Austin, Texas, the thumbs up.

Winterbottom drove a Ford Mustang GT through the back portion of the racecourse, from Turns 5-12, and played chauffeur to a few eager journalists who captured the view—and exhilarating experience—from inside the vehicle.

“The circuit’s topography, including the dramatic changes in elevation, will make for some really fun racing and a great show for fans,” Winterbottom said. “While I didn’t get to drive the full circuit, the sequence of turns I did sample were fantastic, and I can’t wait to come back and take a lap around the finished racecourse. Circuit of The Americas will be a welcome addition to our future V8 Supercar line-up!”

Winterbottom is in the United States as part of a media tour promoting his involvement with the Disney-PIXAR movie Cars 2, in which Winterbottom lent his voice to the character “Frosty” in the Australian version of the production. Winterbottom will participate in the debut of the new “Cars Land” attraction opening this month at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.  He also visited with fellow Aussie racing star Marcus Ambrose during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California on June 24.  

Winterbottom made a pit stop in Austin while on the continent and checked out local eateries and entertainment hot spots, shopped for cowboy boots and hats, and even paid a call on Austin resident Jesse James, the internationally known hot rod designer and television celebrity, at James’ Austin Speed Shop.

“Austin has a really cool vibe. There’s lots to see and do, and I think international visitors will find the city very sophisticated, yet laid back and welcoming,” Winterbottom noted.  “It’s a great destination for motorsports enthusiasts and their families because there’s something for everyone in terms of good food, great shopping, exceptional music and entertainment, loads of parks and recreational activities, and, of course, a purpose-built Grand Prix circuit that will host some of the best auto racing in the world!”

About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas will be a world-class destination for performance, education and business. It will be the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for any and all classes of racing, from motor power to human power, and be the U.S. home to the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX this coming Nov. 16-18. Circuit of The Americas is holding a spot for the V8 Supercar series on its 2013 schedule.

The Circuit of The Americas’ master plan features a variety of permanent structures designed for business, education, entertainment and race use. Its signature element will be a 3.4-mile circuit track. Other support buildings will include an expansive outdoor live music space, a conference centre, a banquet hall as well as a state-of-the-art medical facility. Future proposed amenities include a driving/riding experience, a motorsports driving club, kart track, grand plaza event centre and tower, and a trackside recreational vehicle park.

For more information and downloadable video, audio and photos, visit: www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com