New auto race to debut in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the world-famous Indianapolis 500, is to see a new race this month. The inaugural running of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis aims to bring new fans to the speedway.
Doug Boles, who is president of the speedway, says there is some confusion between the two races. The drivers and cars will be familiar—they are the people and equipment that race at the 500—but the course is new. The 500 drivers circle a 2.5-mile oval, but the Grand Prix is 2.4 miles in length, with the cars following a new course that cuts through the speedway infield.
There will not be a pace car; instead, drivers will stop on the front straightaway, wait for a green light, and move from a standing start. Also, visitors can watch from viewing mounds that provide new vantage points.
Finally, the race is significantly shorter than the 500, which usually lasts at least three hours. The Grand Prix, Boles anticipates, will be run in about half that time, since it's only 82 laps, not 200.
The Grand Prix takes place May 8-10, with practice on the first day, qualification on the second, and the race itself on the third. Speedway officials could work with a banner printing company to create flags to decorate the track for the event.
Doug Boles, who is president of the speedway, says there is some confusion between the two races. The drivers and cars will be familiar—they are the people and equipment that race at the 500—but the course is new. The 500 drivers circle a 2.5-mile oval, but the Grand Prix is 2.4 miles in length, with the cars following a new course that cuts through the speedway infield.
There will not be a pace car; instead, drivers will stop on the front straightaway, wait for a green light, and move from a standing start. Also, visitors can watch from viewing mounds that provide new vantage points.
Finally, the race is significantly shorter than the 500, which usually lasts at least three hours. The Grand Prix, Boles anticipates, will be run in about half that time, since it's only 82 laps, not 200.
The Grand Prix takes place May 8-10, with practice on the first day, qualification on the second, and the race itself on the third. Speedway officials could work with a banner printing company to create flags to decorate the track for the event.