V8 Supercars Set To Make US Debut This May

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If you’re into cars, and if you’re on this site then clearly you are, then you might want to consider a trip to Austin, Texas the weekend of May 17th-19th to catch the V8 Supercars as they make their debut in the United States. Much like NASCAR rules the roost in the US, V8 Supercars is the most popular motorsport in Australia, outpacing even Formula 1, and they’re looking to introduce American fans to the thrills of V8 Supercars racing.

The V8 Supercars Austin 400 will be held at Circuit of Americas which is the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the US. It’s got a 3.4 mile circuit track and can play host to 120,000 screaming fans. It’s also got plenty of support facilities on its 1000-acre site in southeast Austin.

Although V8 Supercars is new to US shores, it’s been a staple in Australia for over 50 years. The sport evolved from a long tradition of Australian touring car racing that’s featured cars and brands from around the world like Toyota, Mazda, BMW, Volvo, Jaguar and Nissan.

The V8 Supercars Austin 400 will feature cars from Cadillac, Audi, Kia, Mercedes Benz, Porsche and Volvo with Ford, Holden, AMG and Nissan vehicles circling the track. This marks the first time any Australian motorsport has competed in the United States. In fact, to find any Australian sport at all competing on US shores you have to go back to a 1987 rugby tournament!

A full schedule of events to coincide with the race is still forthcoming, but attendees can expect at least one vehicle sneak peek over the weekend. Holden Racing Team driver James Courtney who’s currently ranked #5 will be hosting a showcase of a new V8 Supercar. Courtney was the 2010 V8 Supercars Champion and you’ll be able to see him on the track as well, competing against nearly 30 other drivers for this years’ championship.

Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. When not drooling over cars, Nicole writes for Wired’s GeekMom.