Just as the X Games announced they wouldn’t be coming back to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in 2017, the Austin Business Journal reported that he circuit has completed a new round of debt financing for $81 million.

The new capital will be used for operating expenses and was completed “in connection with a business combination transaction such as a merger, acquisition or exchange offer.” according to the report.

This suggests that there could have been a merger and that plays in to the rumors that the circuit has been seeking a buyer for some time now.

A new round of financing should help for the balance of the year and they will need it now that they have announced the USGP will go ahead as scheduled.

It’s unclear as to what financial angles are being sought at COTA but keeping the doors open and the lights on are critical as the only FIA grade 1 circuit in America.

Meanwhile, the Mexican GP organizer says they are already approaching a sellout in ticket sales and are looking to expand the seating areas for this year. It makes you wonder what Mexico is doing right and perhaps the US is doing wrong as far as attracting attendance to the venue.

I haven’t seen how successful the circuit Hermanos Rodriguez has been with other racing series during the year but COTA has played host to several events. The last I spoke to the circuit, they said they had a very high number of days already spoken for and in use. That’s the key, selling 365 days of track use to people who want it.

The price for a day at the track isn’t cheap but perhaps the financing can create some affordable and attractive packages to create a demand.

Hat Tip: Joel and the Austin Biz Journal