Hear that? It's the deafening roar of race car engines headed to Baltimore.
The Indy Racing League and Maryland's top politicians made official Wednesday what was long known: Charm City will host a race in August 2011.
The inaugural event is scheduled for August 5-7 on a 2.4-mile temporary street circuit that winds through the Inner Harbor area and Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The Baltimore Grand Prix is projected to attract more than 100,000 people to downtown and have an estimated economic impact of $70 million, based on visitor spending on hotel nights, meals, tickets and other purchases, plus direct tax revenue to the city, according to IndyCar.com. Tickets and hospitality suites will go on sale this fall.
The Maryland Stadium Authority approved more than $1 million in changes to Russell Street near Oriole Park at Camden Yards to accommodate a pit area adjacent to the ballpark. The city is dedicating $5 million in federal road maintenance funds to the project and is requesting a $2.75 million state loan for related improvements.
I couldn't be more excited. As I've written before, I've attended several runnings of the Indianapolis 500, and like Mayor Rawlings-Blake, who attended her first on Sunday, I'm always "blown away." You don't have to be a racing enthusiast to be mesmerized by the mind-blowing speed, sound, and power of these cars.
Mark your calendars.
Photo: Indy cars, like these at the recent Indianapolis 500, will be zooming around Baltimore in August 2011. (Robert Laberge/Getty Images Sport)
Comments