Get the most out of the GT World Challenge COTA race weekend with our fan checklist

[ASFN Admin]

The GT World Challenge America is rolling into Circuit of the Americas.

The race weekend runs April 25-27 in Austin, Texas, and features some of the fastest sports cars in the world and several supplemental series.

Here's what to know and a checklist to enjoy the race weekend at COTA.

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Know the classes for the GT World Challenge COTA race weekend​

There are five different series running at a given weekend, Circuit of the Americas included. Here's a look at each of the series, with some comparisons to NASCAR.

GT World Challenge America: The GT World Challenge America is the premier series of the North American GT series, contributing to the GT World Challenge championship. These cars the most powerful of the weekend. Think of this series similar to the NASCAR Cup Series.

GT America: The GT America series runs some of the more well-known sports cars, including the Mercedes-AMG GT3, the Ferrari 296 GT3, BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Porsche 992 GT3 R and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. These cars will have some power and speed, this series is most similar to the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Toyota GR Cup North America: The Toyota GR Cup North America will feature the Toyota GR86. This series is most similar to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with drivers trying to work their way up.

Pirelli GT4 America: The Pirelli GT4 America series has two drivers per team with multiple classes of racing and cars, including the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, Nissan Z NISMO GT4, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. These cars are considered "club cars" or cars that are closer to "production cars," meaning what people usually drive. This is the series that will run an "enduro" race, a timed endurance race.

TC America: This is the entry series into the GT World Challenge, it's the first rung of the ladder. It's similar to the ARCA Menards Series drivers working to the NASCAR Cup Series. This series features some smaller cars, including the Toyota GR Corolla TC, Acura Integra Type S and the Mazda 3 TC.

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Check out the driver autograph session for GT World Challenge America at COTA​

There are two driver autograph sessions for the GT World Challenge America weekend at COTA, including with the GT World Challenge America drivers on April 26 and other drivers from other series on April 27.

Be on the lookout for GT World Challenge America, COTA Merchandise​

There are merchandise stores and areas around the facility to purchase COTA items and series-specific items to remember the weekend at the racetrack.

COTA cooler, food policy​

COTA does not allow outside food into the facility. Fans are able to bring empty Camelbacks or one 20-ounce factory sealed water bottle per guest.

Other items allowed at COTA​

The following items are permitted within the gates at Circuit of the Americas:

• Baby Strollers
• Binoculars
• Blankets
• Camelbacks (must be empty)
• One 20oz factory sealed water bottle per guest
• Personal camera equipment (e.q. digital cameras, detachable lenses, point-and-click digital cameras)
  • Note that tripods, bipods, and monopods will not be permitted.
• Portable, collapsible chairs
• Sunscreen (plastic bottle only, no aerosol cans)
• Umbrellas (small, hand-held style)

Know what not to bring into COTA​

Here are the items are not allowed at Circuit of the Americas:

• Weapons, including guns, knives, pepper spray, handcuffs, and nightsticks
• Explosives, including fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices
• Drones
• Animals or pets (exception of service dogs)
• Food and beverages including alcoholic beverages
• Unauthorized transportation, including bicycles, scooters, skateboards, Segways, golf carts, skates, and hoverboards
• Illegal substances, including illegal drugs and marijuana
• Bags larger than 12″ X 12″ X 20″
• Coolers, thermoses, or ice chests
• Metal water bottles
• Glass containers
• E-liquid or vape juice
• Safety hazards or annoyances, including balls, Frisbees, balloons, projectiles, horns, radios, bells, whistles, musical instruments, and laser pointers
• Non-collapsible chairs
• Tents or canopies
• Unauthorized promotional or commercial material, including merchandise
• Signs or posters larger than 11″ X 17″ or attached to a pole
  • Signs and posters may not contain obscene or offensive language or images
• Inappropriate or overly revealing attire
• Items used to block views or interfere with guests’ experience

For the safety of all guests, all patrons are subject to search prior to entry. This list is exhaustive and Circuit of The Americas reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: COTA GT World Challenge America race weekend what to know for fans

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