Today the Indy Racing League and Baltimore Racing Development announced the arrival of the Baltimore Grand Prix to the Inner Harbor in August 2011. A deal has been struck to hold a 3 day “Festival of Speed” in downtown Baltimore Maryland, racing on a temporary street circuit.
The 5 year deal will bring considerable economic impact to Baltimore, similar to the Preakness Stakes. The expected 100,000 or more specators over the three day event could have an impact of 10 million or more for the city.
Joining the group of officials from the IRL, Baltimore and the State of Maryland were drivers Al Unser, Jr. and Graham Rahal in discussing what its like to race on a street circuit. Having won Long Beach 6 times, Al Unser, Jr. knows what it takes to win on a street circuit and is a consultant to Baltimore Racing Development.
In describing the circuit, designer Martyn Thake mentioned speeds in excess of 180 mph and tight turns, clever spectating areas with large viewing screens to allow viewing of the entire circuit. Using Baltimore and the Inner Harbor will provide a beautiful and perfect backdrop to the track on television, and in person. The Baltimore circuit will be one of the best street circuits in the world.
The promoter of the race, Chuck Kosich talked about the events for the weekend. An expected 6 racing series will compete over the weekend, there will be festival style entertainment areas and a Friday night concert. Racing action will be the feature IRL race on Sunday, with support races and a second major racing series will hold a twilight evening race on Saturday. Additional details about support races will be announced later. Kosich also pointed out four objectives; to showcase the city, reward true racing fans, make it affordable and to deliver equity for sponsors.
Scheduled for August 5-7, 2011, the Baltimore Grand Prix will be an opportunity for WDCR members to get involved as racing fans or supporters of the event through volunteering. More information about how our members can get involved will be available as details are resolved by the organizers.
Visit the event web site at baltimoregrandprix.com
WDCR Region Executive Evanthe Salisbury has posted a blog entry about the experience at www.wdcr-scca.org
The Course Map:
The Baltimore Grand Prix logo on an IRL display car
The Dream Team
Graham Rahal and Al Unser, Jr.
June 19th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Are you nuts ! This will close the city by blocking MAIN roads in and out, not to mention the cost of repaving these bumpy pot hole roads. I love racing and first joined the SCCA in 1975. I hope this happens but can’t beleave it will work.