Last November, the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, hosted its inaugural Formula 1 race, which was also the penultimate event of the 2012 season. Austin was the 10th track to host the U.S. GP and it marked F1’s return in the country after a five-year absence.
According to the Texas comptroller’s office, the newly constructed circuit was also the state’s top seller of alcohol, i.e. beer, wine and mixed drinks, with US$2.8 million. Total alcohol sales in the city in November reached US$48.4 million, a 23 percent increase compared to November 2011.
“It was a great first year for F1”, said Doug Guller, who owns ATX Brands that operates Bikini’s Sports Bar and Grill, the Parish, the Scoot Inn, Pelons, Bar 508 and Zorro in Austin. “I’m really excited about the future.”
The Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington was the number two alcohol seller in the state of Texas for November, with US$2.3 million, and the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine was third, netting US$1.7 million.
The comptroller’s office also said that total alcohol sales across Texas that month totaled US$449.1 million, up 11 percent from 2011, and brought the state US$62.9 million in taxes.
By Andrew Tsaousis
Story References: The Statesman via Jalopnik
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