Grand Prix cars to head this way

About 25 cars - going more than 100 mph at times - are expected to compete along the downtown waterfront in February.

By LEANORA MINAI, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 19, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- Indy-style auto racing will be here for the next seven years.

On Monday, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg officially was sanctioned by Championship Auto Racing Teams, or CART, the organization that brings the teams and racers.

"We're going to have the best open-wheel racers in the world racing in St. Petersburg next February," Mayor Rick Baker said.

Open cockpit racers such as Michael Andretti, Paul Tracy, Adrian Fernandez and Jimmy Vasser are expected to race in St. Petersburg's three-day event, which will kick off the CART season Feb. 21.

Last November, the St. Petersburg City Council unanimously gave promoter Grand Prix Association of Long Beach the preliminary permission it needed to seek sanctioning for a race from CART.

Street circuits, with their festival atmosphere, have proved to be CART's most successful events lately. Popular stops include Toronto, Vancouver, Australia and Long Beach, Calif., that drew 110,000 fans last season. This year, Denver will be added.

"It is more than just a race," said Jim Michaelian, president of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, which will promote St. Petersburg's event. "It is a real happening."

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be patterned after the race in Long Beach, Calif., where it has been for 28 years. St. Petersburg's sanctioning agreement with CART runs for seven years. After that, there is a five-year option.

Entertainment is a major factor in the success of the Grand Prix, and organizers say they plan to bring concerts and other races during the weekend event.

For example, during the Long Beach race in April, the band Goo Goo Dolls will perform at the conclusion of the on-track activities.

"We'll put on an assortment of events," said Michaelian, the promoter.

St. Petersburg's 1.78-mile circuit will run along the downtown waterfront by the Bayfront Center and a portion of Albert Whitted Airport. About 25 cars -- going more than 100 mph at times -- are expected to compete. Ticket prices will run from $30 to $100.

Baker is thrilled about the economic benefits associated with the race.

"They project in Long Beach that they get over 20,000 hotel room nights just for the race teams," Baker said.

The television audience alone is estimated at 43-million, he said.

"We're excited to have this opportunity to bring major league motor sports into the heart of the president of Dover Downs Entertainment, also the promoter.

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