Amatuer racers flock to COTA

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A racecar club has the Circuit of the Americas all to themselves this weekend. The Sports Car Club of America is hosting a private racing event for its members.

The group is a giant fraternity of racing enthusiasts.  The club and its Lone Star chapter have rented out the track this weekend, for one of the few private functions allowed at the facility.

One of the club's members is Brian Sullivan, host of CNBC's economics show "Street Signs", whose hobby is to get behind the wheel.

“Every single racer I know wants to race at Circuit of the Americas,” Sullivan said. “That’s why there’s so many people here from all over the country racing for a trophy…we want to pretend we’re Formula One drivers.”

This is the largest amateur racing event of the year because it’s these drivers’ first chance to cruise around the Circuit of the Americas. But even these amateurs are getting the chance to do something the pros have not had a chance to do yet at the track, drive in the rain.

“It’s like driving on an ice rink,” Sullivan said. “I’m trying to leave the CNBC logo off the wall. That’s my goal this weekend, to not have CNBC emblazoned on the guardrail.”

Sullivan says his chances of winning are slim, but the camaraderie is second to none, making it easy to mix a little work and play.

“I meet builders, real estate agents and retail store owners from across the country,” he said. “I’m kind of doing some stealth reporting on the economy while I’m here.”

He's also hoping to return with NBC in November, now that the network is covering Formula One.

“I told them, I’ll carry the camera gear, I’ll lug a tire, whatever you need, I’ll be out here.”

The next big show at the Circuit of the Americas is April 5th when Kenny Chesney takes the stage at the track's new amphitheater.

The next racing event is MotoGP April 19th-21st.