Austin is one of four finalists—along with Detroit, Charlotte, and Chicago—competing to host the summer X Games starting in 2014. If selected, the Austin event would be held at the Circuit of the Americas race track, the new home of the Formula 1 US Grand Prix that’s east of downtown. In support of Austin’s bid, the organizers hosted an X Games rally in front of the Texas State Capitol when ESPN executives visited earlier this month.

Three areas were set up on Congress Avenue for skateboarders and BMX bikers to impress the crowd as well as the executives. Now I’m not up-to-date on the latest extreme trends since Tony Hawk retired, but I do believe Verts, Half-Pipes, Grinds, and Catching Air were involved. One tenacious biker tried a dozen times to do the same stunt and went tumbling down the ramp every time. The crowd cheered when he finally nailed it, although I imagine he had injured several body parts by then.

ESPN executives are supposed to announce the winning city in early July. Judging from the large, enthusiastic crowd, there’s lots of interest in having the X (Games) in A(ustin) TX!