The schedule is out for this weekend’s MotoGP at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. The gates open this Friday morning at 0830. Parking is free if you ride your motorcycle, and tickets can be obtained at a variety of prices, from single-day admission tickets to 3-day weekend passes.

While the USGP F1 race in October garners the most headlines for this venue, from a fan standpoint there is simply nothing as much fun as The Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas MotoGP. There are demo rides from the major motorcycle manufacturers. There are things for kids to do. And kids under 12 get free admission with a paying adult.

There’s always a carnival atmosphere at MotoGP, with offerings from individual vendors to the big boys and girls like GoPro and Bell Helmets.

The Circuit’s FAN ZONE includes Aprilia, BMW Motorcycles, harley davidson, Honda, KTM, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, Victory and Yamaha motorcycles.

And there’s racing…all kinds of motorcycle racing. Besides MotoGP, you’ll enjoy Moto3, Moto2, MotoAmerica Superbike and AMA Pro Flat Track racing. There are three days of practice sessions, racing, Rider Autograph Sessions, Q and A’s, riding demos by Aaron Colton and Geoff Aaron, and at the end of the race day Sunday a free concert at Ducati Island.

Action away from the COTA track includes the third annual Handbuilt Motorcycle Show – also Friday through Sunday – in downtown Austin, hosted by BMW Motorrad USA. Hosted by Revival Cycles, the event features approximately 150 custom motorcycles from the best builders in the world, alongside original artwork, in a historic warehouse in the heart of East Austin. The exhibition includes custom builds, paintings, sculpture and photography.

For those eager to see vintage machines in motion, the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show will offer the American Motor Drome Company’s ‘Wall of Death’ live action thrill show. The performance will feature daredevils executing stunts along the vertical walls of a wooden motor drome while riding antique motorcycles and handbuilt four-wheeled racing machines.

The weather is forecast to be in the 80’s for the three day weekend. But this being Texas, bring your sunscreen! We’ll see you there!

For more information on tickets, parking for cars and RVs, and a full schedule of events at the track over The Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas MotoGP weekend, go to: www.circuitoftheamericas.com