Circuit of The Americas and The Exotics Network present fourth annual ‘Road to the Race’

The countdown to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 2026 is on, and Circuit of The Americas (COTA) and The Exotics Network (TEN) are bringing race-week excitement to downtown Austin with the fourth annual Road to the Race, on Wednesday, October 21, from 5–9:30 p.m. CDT at The Long Centre. 

Austin’s official prelude to the United States Grand Prix will bring together an extraordinary collection of automotive culture, Formula 1 team activations, VIP hospitality and live entertainment. The evening will culminate in a major live charity auction benefiting The Long Centre and Dell Children’s Medical Centre - headlined by a $1.5 million Aston Martin Valhalla. Pre-registered bidders are expected to attend with organizers anticipating the potential for a world-record sale. This year’s event will also feature activations from Aston Martin F1, Cadillac F1 and Red Bull, more than 100 hypercars and supercars, Formula 1 display cars and a guest list spanning F1 drivers and team members, celebrities, sponsors, COTA suite-holders and some of the country’s leading hypercar and supercar collectors from the TEN community.

“With Road to the Race, we are once again bringing the energy of the United States Grand Prix directly into downtown Austin and celebrating the remarkable connection between Formula 1, COTA and this city,” said Bobby Epstein, Chair and Founder of Circuit of The Americas.

“The pinnacle of motorsport's annual visit to Texas has grown into a yearly celebration that draws visitors from around the world, energizes local businesses and showcases all that Austin has to offer. Road to the Race is an extension of that momentum. A $1.5 million Aston Martin Valhalla and the potential for a world-record sale make this year’s charity auction especially exciting.

“Most importantly, the proceeds will go directly back into the Austin community, benefiting two institutions that make a tremendous difference to our city.” Adonis Ordonez, Co-Founder of The Exotics Network, added: “Road to the Race has been our way of capturing the anticipation Austin feels for the United States Grand Prix every year. 

“We’ve been hosting this event since before COTA became a partner of ours, and to now bring it to life alongside COTA and share that passion with the local automotive community feels like a true full-circle moment.” The spotlight will turn to one of the evening’s most anticipated moments when a $1.5 million Aston Martin Valhalla takes centre stage at the Road to the Race live charity auction inside Dell Hall from 7:30–9 p.m. With pre-registered bidders expected to attend in person, organizers are anticipating the possibility of a world-record sale.

The Valhalla will first be displayed during the outdoor showcase before moving into Dell Hall for live bidding. Additional auction lots will include rare motorsport experiences, exclusive access and unique lifestyle opportunities. Net proceeds will be split equally between The Long Centre and Dell Children’s Medical Centre, supporting arts, culture and children’s healthcare across Austin and Central Texas - General Admission guests may attend the auction, with seating subject to capacity.

The outdoor showcase will run from 5–7 p.m., featuring more than 100 hypercars and supercars, including vehicles from the Chavez Collection, alongside Formula 1 display cars and activations from Aston Martin F1, Cadillac F1 and Red Bull. A headline attraction will be an Aston Martin and Call of Duty concept vehicle that has previously been shown publicly only once. The showcase will also feature racing simulators, live entertainment, local food and drink vendors and a C-130J military flyover over downtown Austin.

Road to the Race brings the excitement of the United States Grand Prix into the heart of downtown, creating a unique meeting point for Formula 1, automotive culture and Austin’s creative community. Activations from Aston Martin F1, Cadillac F1 and Red Bull will join F1 display cars and a guest list spanning drivers, team members, celebrities, sponsors, collectors and enthusiasts.

General Admission tickets are $10 plus tax and include access to the outdoor showcase, Formula 1 display cars, racing simulators, live entertainment and the live charity auction inside Dell Hall, with seating subject to capacity. Each General Admission ticket also includes an entry into a raffle for two three-day United States Grand Prix General Admission tickets at Circuit of The Americas. For the first time at Road to the Race, 100 VIP tickets will be available for public purchase at $200 plus tax.

VIP guests will receive:

·         Early access from 4:30 p.m.

·         Expedited entry

·         Open bar

·         Complimentary light bites

·         Front-row auction seating

·         Access to the private, climate-controlled Kodosky Lounge

·         Views overlooking the event and Austin skyline

Experience the unfiltered thrill of being alive at Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, Texas. Feel the rush of the world’s greatest drivers competing in motorsport’s biggest events. Get lost in the music of the hottest musical acts as they perform live at Austin’s largest outdoor music venue. Take charge of your own 602-horsepower race car through COTA’s driving experiences or experience the thrill of racing others at the COTA Karting track. Inspire your most valuable stakeholders in expansive meeting and hospitality spaces designed for large groups and private or corporate events.

At Circuit of The Americas, there is fun at every turn. The Exotics Network (TEN) is a Texas-founded exotic car owner network based at Circuit of The Americas in Austin. Connecting collectors, enthusiasts and brands, TEN produces curated automotive showcases, driving experiences and destination events that bring exceptional vehicles and the people behind them together. Through its events and media platforms, TEN shares automotive culture with a wider audience while expanding its community nationally.

The Long Centre is an Austin non-profit supporting performing arts, local artists, arts education and community programming. It serves as home to the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera and Ballet Austin.