Luis Salom, Arthur Sissis and Zulfahmi Khairuddin to ride at Circuit of The Americas, in the second race of 2013.

After victory at the first Grand Prix of the year in Qatar, the Red Bull KTM Ajo team travel to the USA for the first ever Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. Located in the Texan city of Austin, a unique track will test Luis Salom, Arthur Sissis and Zulfahmi Khairuddin to the limit on their KTM Moto3 machines.

With the excellent results from the first race of the year, the three Red Bull KTM Ajo riders face this new challenge with enthusiasm and eager to get acquainted with a new track. The 5,513 metre Circuit of The Americas, with its 20 corners, offers a F1-style layout different to the majority of tracks on the MotoGP calendar. A technical circuit with constant changes of direction and hard braking points will require Luis Salom, Arthur Sissis and Zulfahmi Khairuddin to be in top physical condition.

Two of the most striking features of the track, designed by Hermann Tilke, are the longest straight on the calendar —1200 metres— and the 26 metre rise for the first corner under braking. A spectacle is guaranteed in Austin, in the first of two visits to the USA for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team this season.

Circuit information – Circuit of The Americas
Length: 5513 metres / 3,426 miles
Width: 15 metres
Left corners: 11
Right corners: 9
Longest straight: 1200 metres / 0,746 miles
Constructed: 2012

Luis Salom,
“We go to Austin with the desire to continue working hard. These last two weeks I have tried to find some onboard videos of Austin and watched the Formula 1 race there, in order to learn a bit about the circuit. The most important part of the work will come when we’re there, walking a few laps with my technician and start analysing the track in person. The first free practice will be important —we have to put in many laps and get as prepared as possible for the race. I think it’s a very nice circuit and should be fun. If we can make the most of it, then it can be very useful for us.”

Arthur Sissis,
“After the first race in Qatar I am very excited about this next event in Austin. The circuit looks good and I think we can have a great time riding there. To prepare for this Grand Prix I have watched some videos of when Formula 1 raced there last year, and I’ve played the videogame in order to start learning the layout. Clearly we will have to perform a lot of laps in the first free practice session, in order to find the fastest lines.”

Zulfahmi Khairuddin,
“I have watched many videos of the circuit in recent days, so as not to arrive in Austin cold. I’ve also intensified my work in the gym to get as fit as possible for the second round of the championship, because I think it will be a very tough weekend. I spent last week getting checkups on my wrist, which has been a little sore in recent weeks. The doctor confirmed that everything was fine. Austin is a very technical track and has some hard braking points. However, I have to wait to get there to really see what it is like.”