The 918 Spyder And Many Others Take On The Circuit Of The Americas

"Torque Affair" (torqueaffair)
12/12/2014 at 22:25 • Filed to: Circuit Of the Americas

If you think going to an F1 race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) would be an amazing experience, I would argue that a track day at COTA is even better.

Allow me to walk you through one such experience at COTA which will explain to you why I think so.

Amateur track days at COTA showcase some of the finest machines you'll ever see doing what they do best. Every time you go to COTA for one of these track days, the cars that you see are somehow even more incredible than before.

For example, who would've thought that the first time I would ever see a Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid would be at COTA ready to hit the track!

In case you're wondering how these pictures turned out so good, they're from my iPhone.

Of course not - I'm joking. These were taken by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , a fellow Jalopnik fan. As you can see he is an excellent photographer and what you are viewing is literally better than what I saw in real life. There are plenty more below - a plethora of pictures (always wanted to use that alliteration) available for your visual pleasure.

It's ok if you drool - I did too.

Driving up to the track is always fascinating because Turn 1 is visible from at least a mile away. As you get closer, you can hear the cars racing up to Turn 1 before braking hard to take that first corner - and let me tell you that beautiful noise is like music to your ears.

It gets much better as you head towards the COTA parking lots. Why?

Because you actually get to drive straight to the pit area.

That's right. With no race scheduled (let alone F1), you can drive directly to the garage/pit area and park amongst cars that your dreams are typically made of.

Like this for example…

The first car I encountered as soon as I entered the parking lot behind the garages was a brand new 2015 Ford Mustang. This was the first time for me to see the all new Mustang in person and I have to say that I liked the way it looked overall although the stock wheels are still not all that appealing.

Ford never seems to be able to create the kind of wheels that a car like this deserves - Ford, along with many other car manufacturers . But, luckily, this is a problem easily solved with the myriad aftermarket wheel options out there.

How about this BMW i8? First sighting ever and possibly the only one in Austin, Texas at the time of writing this?

Before long you find yourself roaming around cars that are worth millions of dollars (if you put them all together like the Porsche 918, a couple of Ferrari 458s, a couple of McLarens…the list just goes on and on).

Feast your eyes on these wonderful creations of mankind.

At this point if you may be thinking that this is just a millionaire's game and most of us have no choice but to just sit there and admire from afar. But that's not necessarily true. Admittedly, in order to participate in one of these track days (or weekends) it does cost a ton in terms of brakes, tires and maintenance, however, you don't need a GT3 to participate in a COTA track day.

Although most cars at COTA are typically of the very expensive variety, you can actually enjoy a COTA track day on a budget ( relatively speaking of course). You can race out on the track in a Mustang or a Civic, both of which probably cost less than replacing a windshield wiper on the Porsche 918.

Take this Mustang for example..

Or this Honda Civic Si…

That being said, what is alluring about these track days at COTA is the opportunity to check out rare gems like the 918.

The 918 Spyder attracted tons and tons of attention as you can imagine. Most of the pictures of this car generally included other people doing the same. It was like a celebrity out there - everyone was all over the car.

I would venture to say that with this Corvette, the front and rear spoiler actually have a real purpose !

These C7s looks like they are fun to drive around the track which are much improved over the prior generation C6s. The difference is literally night and day.

These Lotuses are not only beautiful but right at home at COTA.

Racing is not easy physically or mentally. If being out on the track is a financial burden for you, this thought might be going through your head: "Oh God, why did I do this?? A 50 inch TV would be so much better - it's so much cheaper…and I can race cars all day long on GT5."

Each minute on the track is potentially costing you hundreds (or thousands for the 918) of dollars and gnawing at you with a sinking feeling in your stomach.

Ugh.

A worn out tire again?!?!

But it is worth it. COTA is obviously a world class racing circuit and if you had the opportunity and the means to race your car here, you wouldn't regret it.

The view of Turn 1 from pit lane is astounding! This is by far one of the coolest aspect of a COTA track day. It is really a gorgeous track and the ability to go into pit-lane and hang out in the garages is awesome.

Watch the video to see what I mean.

It is absolutely a privilege to drive on this track. COTA was purpose-built for Formula 1 and it's no joke to race your car here. The track is challenging and takes a fair amount of practice for driving at COTA to become an enjoyable experience. Here is an excellent video taken by a friend of mine out at COTA - he has quite the set up here.

Here are a few more pictures courtesy of Jason that I'll leave you with.

And so this is what a track day at COTA is like (thanks to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! crew for putting this on). Can't wait for the next one.

Photo Credit (lots of credit, actually): !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

More posts @ !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Facebook: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Follow !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (100)

EL_ULY > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 15:41

can one go a spectate? Where can I find a a schedule if so?

Kurt Bradley > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 15:52

Good to see a 918 put to use at COTA, and not just sitting out for presentation out there like this one was:

Kinja'd!!!

ToastedTires > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 15:54

That viper.....

YellowFlash > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:04

Your friend is quite a drifter, huh?

Craig > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:05

It is true you don't need a supercar for a track day. A Mitsubishi Lancer (not an EVO) has been spotted attacking the COTA track at a HPDE.

_Mécanicien > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:14

Kinja'd!!!

Very cool pictures. Since I can't afford most of those cars, I'm starting to like those Mustang a lot.
(Any idea of what kind of camera was used?)

techinsanity2011 > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:18

Kinja'd!!!

Is that what I think it is?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:31

That dark purple air cooled 911 is so sexy, I take it over the 918.

2cvhoonage > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:35

Kinja'd!!!

MIATA!

Clown Shoe Pilot > EL_ULY
12/14/2014 at 16:37

yes, you can spectate. the trick is knowing when the events are happening. for that, you need to get on the various mailing lists for bmwcca, pca, drivers edge, etc. these photos are all from the driver's edge event last weekend.

ethanheisler > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:43

Kinja'd!!!

Was someone lapping in this? That would be rough.

mattc993 > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:53

Gotta do this.

EL_ULY > Clown Shoe Pilot
12/14/2014 at 16:53

o oh, I kind of figured something like that. I'm just afraid to make the drive and get denied at the entrance both parking and admission

NG22 > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 16:54

Fuck what everyone says. The 918 is the prettiest hypercar.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 17:01

Was this a Driver's Edge event?

Torque Affair > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
12/14/2014 at 17:02

Yep, it was.

Torque Affair > ethanheisler
12/14/2014 at 17:03

I don't think it was out on the track.

Torque Affair > 2cvhoonage
12/14/2014 at 17:03

Hah, yep there were some.

Torque Affair > EL_ULY
12/14/2014 at 17:04

Nah you can just go to the track, sign a waiver and then head back there.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 17:04

I've run with them before at MSR-Cresson and they're a great outfit. I'm sure they'd appreciate a mention in your article and a link to their page.

Torque Affair > _Mécanicien
12/14/2014 at 17:05

I'm not sure actually. The Mustang is great value for the money.

Torque Affair > Craig
12/14/2014 at 17:05

Yeah I've seen a good variety.

Clown Shoe Pilot > EL_ULY
12/14/2014 at 17:08

the club events are wide open. it's the press and mfg events where you'll get turned away at the gate

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 17:11

Kinja'd!!!

Ugh I need a moment.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 17:15

Amazing pictures, thanks very much for sharing. I have a buddy that lives down there, gotta go down and see the track at some point soon.

Torque Affair > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/14/2014 at 17:16

Sure! Definitely - you should check it out. It's a blast.

Torque Affair > ToastedTires
12/14/2014 at 17:17

Apparently this weekend there was a Viper event out there!

Maxxuman > _Mécanicien
12/14/2014 at 17:21

Nikon D750 with 70-200 2.8 lens, at least for the opening shot.

Fast kiwi > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 17:23

How did the 918 do?

Torque Affair > Fast kiwi
12/14/2014 at 17:25

The guy actually wasn't driving it all that quickly. Can't blame him - don't want to risk it in that car.

Whitesmoke > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 17:57

Not in the same league I reckon but I did have a track day with my son and his Elise at Atlanta Motorsports Park (and yes he let me drive it so I had to question his college degree) - they refer to it as a "technical track". (Translation- it's hard). What a blast and some of the vehicles you get to see are the icing on the cake.

Torque Affair > Whitesmoke
12/14/2014 at 18:05

Track days are a lot of fun - glad you got to experience one! What kind of car was it?

86it > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 18:06

Kinja'd!!!

There's one in Lafayette, LA. So there HAS to be more than one in Austin.

Mazer > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 18:07

I was just out at CoTA yesterday doing some drives/instructing at a drivers edge event. Quite a few nice cars out there! Had a guy driving a viper on my butt. Good driver. (Seriously) Too bad I didn't know you were there just the week before! We're you in the red or white group? Just for fun?

Torque Affair > Mazer
12/14/2014 at 18:09

Just hanging out really. It seems like every weekend there's something at COTA...which is awesome. Are you out there for the track days usually?

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 19:01

DAT E46 M3.... makes me want to track prep mine.

AudiAudiO > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 19:16

"The difference is literally night and day."

— sigh, I wish I could get paid to write like shit

newton > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 19:21

Amazing photos! Glad to see there were fellow Jalops out there yesterday. I was able to get 2 parade laps in with a group. First time rounding the track. I love this place.

Kinja'd!!!

baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalls > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 19:27

Kinja'd!!!

TRAKDouche

Mazer > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 19:43

Any chance I get to drive there I take. Seems like it has happened a lot more frequently lately. Got probably 30-40 laps in the last 2 months.

juliorobertod > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 19:59

Kinja'd!!!

This shot is good for those Civic drivers that claim all the time "Once the V-Tec kicks in it can keep up with really fast cars, bro".

willmederski > Clown Shoe Pilot
12/14/2014 at 20:10

here's what i found so far:

https://www.pca.org/pca-club-racin…

http://www.bmwccaclubracing.com/events/events.…

http://www.svra.com/events/2015-u-…

Chucktone > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 20:22

A buddy and I were there for Saturday. First hot laps there for me. The experience exceeded my expectations and made me appreciate my car, especially it's brakes, more than ever before. Highly recommended for the driving and the car viewing, on and off the track.

Booooohoooooo > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 20:33

Beautiful shots and great video. What an amazing looking track. I am so jealous that some people have a place like that close to home (and of course those cars to put on it). Had to mention the video- the first half shows an overcast gray day with a temp of 32 degrees and a loose rear on that car. Guessing that the 918 and some other expensive hardware out there didn't want to push it on summer tires on a very cold (for Austin, TX) day.

dontbethatguy > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 20:58

Kinja'd!!!

This is easily the best photo ive seen of this car. Wow.

Torque Affair > dontbethatguy
12/14/2014 at 21:15

Jason takes awesome photos!

jasonbo > _Mécanicien
12/14/2014 at 21:17

I use both a Nikon D7000 and a Nikon D750 One has a 18-105 and the other 70-200

jasonbo > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/14/2014 at 21:17

Thank You

iggysaab9 > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 21:18

Kinja'd!!!

I don't think anyone in the market does lights as well as Porsche

jasonbo > Mazer
12/14/2014 at 21:19

There were alot of really good drivers at the track that day.

jasonbo > ToastedTires
12/14/2014 at 21:19

Yeah 60+ vipers out there.

Torque Affair > Chucktone
12/14/2014 at 21:20

What car did you drive?

jasonbo > Craig
12/14/2014 at 21:20

For track day if you want a to bring a Honda Accord Ex, as long as it passes inspection your golden.

iggysaab9 > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 21:21

Kinja'd!!!

Oh my

'Stangy Leg > 2cvhoonage
12/14/2014 at 21:24

is that a 300zx in front of it??

jasonbo > dontbethatguy
12/14/2014 at 21:26

Thank ya.

Torque Affair > juliorobertod
12/14/2014 at 21:28

hahaha...I wonder how it kept up with the other cars.

Torque Affair > Mazer
12/14/2014 at 21:29

Awesome! What do you drive out there?

Torque Affair > Kurt Bradley
12/14/2014 at 21:32

Agreed!

jasonbo > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 21:32

You can also see more here. https://www.facebook.com/JBPhotoTX

Torque Affair > 86it
12/14/2014 at 21:35

Yeah, maybe.

Torque Affair > iggysaab9
12/14/2014 at 21:35

It's a stunning design for sure.

Torque Affair > iggysaab9
12/14/2014 at 21:40

Indeed!

jasonbo > 'Stangy Leg
12/14/2014 at 22:12

There were 2 there

jasonbo > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
12/14/2014 at 22:15

At first I was like RWB?

Chris Prosser > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 22:17

Hey look its my Mustang! I already swapped the Pzero's for Pilot Super Sports as you can see, wheels will come. I've done many Drivers Edge events but none yet in the 2015 and none on COTA, I can't wait. Thanks for sharing!

jasonbo > techinsanity2011
12/14/2014 at 22:30

Pontiac?

Austinguy83 > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 22:33

that isn't the only i8 in Austin. I saw two black ones at the grocery store today.

BaylorCamaro > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 22:33

UGH, I was going to run with The Drivers Edge at this event, sadly it just didn't work out. Next time!

Kahlessj > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 22:43

Ferrari does its track days during the week there so the riffraff cant come out and watch and hang out. i think theyre over now but they were doing them W-F through most of october and november when f1 wasnt in town.

Torque Affair > Austinguy83
12/14/2014 at 22:44

Seriously? No kidding..

Torque Affair > BaylorCamaro
12/14/2014 at 22:45

Seems like these days there are lots of track days at COTA.

travestyebo > Mazer
12/14/2014 at 22:54

I was out there also.... Really good times.... So lucky to live in Austin.... minus the hipsters, but a small price to pay for such an awesome track.

posimagi > _Mécanicien
12/14/2014 at 22:59

Nikon D750. Though I'm not sure why it matters. Skill is way more important than gear in photography, especially in good light.

TheStigsGermanCousin > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 23:24

Kinja'd!!!

Excellent Pictures.

Kurt Bradley > Torque Affair
12/14/2014 at 23:29

That 918 I posted was from the Lone Star Le Mans weekend. Porsche set up a nice activation in the grand plaza.

Kinja'd!!!

It's too bad they couldn't get this thing on the podium:

Kinja'd!!!

Torque Affair > TheStigsGermanCousin
12/14/2014 at 23:50

Jason's a talented photographer for sure!

nugget > Mazer
12/14/2014 at 23:57

This weekend was not a Driver's Edge event. Driver's Edge was there last weekend.

nugget > techinsanity2011
12/15/2014 at 00:01

That's an ASA Stock Car driven by Karl Lehenbauer. Is that what you thought it was?

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Craig
12/15/2014 at 00:14

That sounds like Stef, she's a writer for Jalopnik! http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/boldly-going-w…

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > AudiAudiO
12/15/2014 at 00:15

This is on Oppo so no one is getting paid to write it...

ClassicDatsunDebate > Torque Affair
12/15/2014 at 00:42

Great post. Great photos.

When COTA was first announced, many commenters were looking forward to track days. At the time I was skeptical that the track would ever be open to events like this. I'm glad I was wrong!

emanresu > Torque Affair
12/15/2014 at 01:13

Kinja'd!!!

The 918 looks a lot different in this picture for some reason. It looks... lighter. Smaller. Less crazy.

ToastedTires > jasonbo
12/15/2014 at 03:01

96-02 are my favorite years for the Viper. The way they look, decent performance even by today's standards and not overly common like a corvette. 996 turbo or viper GTS.... I have a year to decide.

techinsanity2011 > nugget
12/15/2014 at 03:02

I thought it was an ex Nascar Sprint Cup Car.

Whitesmoke > Torque Affair
12/15/2014 at 03:33

2005 Lotus Elise (my son's). I so want one of my own - that thing so comes alive on the track.

kraenk12 > Torque Affair
12/15/2014 at 05:09

The 918...I'm out of words?!

kraenk12 > Torque Affair
12/15/2014 at 05:11

Kinja'd!!!

Car looks just ridiculously amazing!

kraenk12 > Torque Affair
12/15/2014 at 05:14

Kinja'd!!!

OMG how awesome does this car look in this color combination?! I'm stunned.

2cvhoonage > 'Stangy Leg
12/15/2014 at 06:16

Can't tell lol, too blurry. Wish the bloody photographer new what we really wanted them to focus on.

_Mécanicien > posimagi
12/15/2014 at 07:05

Because I'm looking to invest in DSLR so I gather information whenever I can.
Thanks for your input.

_Mécanicien > jasonbo
12/15/2014 at 07:08

Thank you for the info! Great pictures.

_Mécanicien > Maxxuman
12/15/2014 at 07:08

Thank you.

Naijaflavor, I Love Doritos > Torque Affair
12/15/2014 at 07:29

Kinja'd!!!

Superspeedersrob? Because I'm sure he is 1 out of the 5 people on earth who likes C5 Corvettes enough to do this.

jasonbo > 2cvhoonage
12/15/2014 at 08:17

Kinja'd!!!

Well cant post all of them here. check out http://www.facebook.com/jbphototx or http ://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonbotx

Mazer > nugget
12/15/2014 at 08:26

I misspoke - I meant edge addicts.

Torque Affair > Naijaflavor, I Love Doritos
12/15/2014 at 08:31

I've seen quite a few C5s out there actually.

Mazer > travestyebo
12/15/2014 at 08:32

I do love living close to the track. Maybe better yet is living close to Harris Hill Road. (H2R) One of (if not the) cheapest tracks in the country at 180 a month for unlimited track time and one of the most friendly groups of people you could assemble. If you live in Austin/San Marcos, be sure to check it out! Not as smooth/long/nice as CoTA, but for the price it's possibly the best track out there.

Torque Affair > kraenk12
12/15/2014 at 08:33

Looks incredible!

Torque Affair > ClassicDatsunDebate
12/15/2014 at 08:35

Thanks! Jason's quite good at taking these photos.

I think the track days are happening really frequently these days which is great! Gives people other than professional racers a chance to experience COTA.