AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Records filed with the state of Texas show a dip in out-of-state attendance at the troubled 2015 U.S. Grand Prix.
Race certification forms obtained by the Austin American-Statesman and reported Sunday show just over 50,000 non-Texans attended the race. That’s down from 75,000 in 2014 and 77,000 in 2013.
Those numbers are important if it means the race will face even more cuts in state money promoters get for the race. Gov. Greg Abbott’s office has already said the race should expect about $19.5 million, a steep drop from the $25 million they hoped for.
Race officials blamed the out-of-state attendance drop on bad weather and Mexican fans choosing to attend the new Mexico Grand Prix, which was held a week after the Austin race.
The U.S. Grand Prix remains on the 2016 calendar pending an agreement between Formula One and race organizers.