By Zach Davidson
Baltimore, MD – Joined at his side by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake, President of Baltimore Racing Development (BRD) Jay Davidson, and professional IndyCar Driver Graham Rahal, Governor O’Malley said, “You don’t win a race by going backward;” BRD formally announced the arrival of IndyCar Racing in Baltimore scheduled for August 5-7 2011, at a press conference in the Convention Center June 2.
Mayor Rawlings Blake called the race a “Game-changer,” for the City, which will be held on a temporary track running through the Inner Harbor.
The Baltimore Grand Prix will be an annual fixture in downtown Baltimore for five years, is expected to attract more than 100,000 people to the area, and have an estimated economic impact of $70 million.
Mayor Rawlings Blake said, “This street race will change the way world sees Baltimore as a result of global media exposure to millions of Indy Racing League fans who attend similar events in San Paulo, Long Beach, and St. Petersburg.”
The announcement follows three years of negotiations with City and local neighborhood officials, approval of both a City Council resolution and a vote of the Maryland Stadium Authority to formally support BRD’s efforts to pursue bringing an IZOD IndyCar Series race to Baltimore.
IZOD IndyCar Series, sanctioned by The Indy Racing League, features open-wheel racing, or fender-less cars with wheels outside the body and one seat. Open-wheel racecars are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 220 mph.
Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division Indy racing League, said, “Baltimore is a vibrant market that is strategically located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region. The Inner Harbor will make a spectacular setting for the race, and Baltimore’s downtown area has all of the elements necessary for a successful event weekend. The track design will no doubt produce exciting racing for both drivers and fans alike.”
Charmed asked IZOD Driver Graham Rahal what it will be like to be racing on Baltimore’s streets. “It’s extremely exciting for us to come here to Baltimore. I think for us to bring the street race here provides a different element than any other sporting event that people here wouldn’t have been exposed to before. I think it will attract a lot of fans and a lot of viewers. I think it’s cool to be right on the waterfront and I think everybody is really going to enjoy it. As far as driving—you’re going to see some of the best driving talent here. And as I said it’s a new venue for us, we’ve been exposed to kind of the same tracks over the last several years so it’s bringing a new life to IndyCar Racing and everybody is looking forward to it,” said Rahal.
Charmed asked, CEO of the Baltimore Grand Prix and Baltimore Racing Development, Jay Davidson why he thought this race was important for the city. “I think it’s going to be great for the City in terms of bringing economy impact, jobs, and international exposure,” said Davidson.
Tickets go on sale this fall for what’s being billed as a three- day festival, and a finalized schedule complete with live performers and non-racing activities will be announced. For more info go online to www.BaltimoreGrandPrix.com
