New US Grand Prix circuit cleared to race

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The new track built for Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix has been given the go-ahead for the Nov. 18 race.

Circuit of The Americas officials announced Tuesday that the track located a few miles southeast of downtown Austin, Texas, passed its pre-race inspection by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, the sanctioning body for international motorsports.

The U.S. Grand Prix will be F1's first race in the United States since 2007. The U.S. Grand Prix was previously held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on a road course built inside the oval track.

The 3.4-mile Circuit of The Americas is the first U.S. track built specifically for F1. Investors in the track include billionaire businessman Red McCombs.

Updated September 25, 2012