For the first time since 2013, the FIA World Endurance Championship returned to Austin. The six hour-long endurance race called the Lone Star Le Mans brings the spirit of the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans back to Texas. Events took place all weekend long and Austin.com was there! Here are a few of our favorite moments.
Here’s why you don’t want to miss Lone Star Le Mans!
Fan Zone
Open to all tickets holders, fan zone events include live entertainment, line dancing lessons, a mechanical bull, face painting, and so much more! The family friendly area is open all day Saturday and Sunday. Oh, and speaking of entertainment, the national anthem on Sunday was performed by none other than Austin musician Tameca Jones! We always appreciate those So Austin touches out at COTA events!
Tower Observations Deck
If you’re looking to kill more time during the six hour race, take in one of the most breathtaking views in motorsports at the COTA tower. Tickets are available at the base of the tower and kids under 3 years of age may enter for FREE.
Unrivaled Access For All
Thursday is a non-ticketed event day which means anyone is welcome to head to COTA for a day of practice from each of the series competing. As for those with tickets for race days, Lone Star Le Mans has open seating, meaning you have free reign to view the race from the premium grandstands (Main Grandstand, Turn 1 and Turn 15), and all the open grassy hillsides.
Go Up Close and Personal
With an open paddock, guests can wander around outside the tents and garages the teams use to prep their cars. For many races, the paddock is a closed area with very limited access, but Lone Star Le Mans opens it to the public. Make your race day even more memorable with autographs from your favorite drivers as autograph sessions are open to all attendees. All guests also have the opportunity on Friday to walk along pit lane and on Saturday to walk down the starting grid.
Le Mans Spirit Club
The best view of the racing action is in the Le Mans Spirit Club. VIP guests get a spectacular view over the start and finish line, as well as into the pitlane. But that’s not all! The club offers high-end meals with breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Plus, the Le Mans Spirit Club Package includes insider activities at the track like the pit walk, the grid walk and priority access to the pitlane after the race for an up-close view of the podium ceremony.
While wandering the paddock behind the club , we spotted the L’OR Coffee cart at the Ferrari garage and couldn’t resist a cup of indulgence that set our senses racing. And we weren’t the only ones. Team members were lining up for their own exquisite cup of coffee!
L’OR and Team Ferrari – AF Corse even invited us into their garage to see the Hypercar up close which was amazing!
Then, after hanging with the L’OR crew and enjoying six hours of racing, the most exciting part of our day was watching the Ferrari – AF Corse team celebrating on the podium.
Don’t miss the Lone Star Le Mans when it returns to Austin in 2025 for the seventh and only North American race in the official World Endurance Championship season.
Looking for more racing action at COTA? Check out these reasons you don’t want to miss the USGP F1 race in October!
