SPOTLIGHT in their front yard. “People now know how to plan around it and businesses have become a lot more savvy with leveraging promotions and staffing,” says Steinocher. “They understand it brings in a different group of visitors, and race fans who spend a lot of money.”
an honor to lead a city that has the eyes of the racing world on it during the race every year. I am always proud of our Sunshine City, but we shine especially bright during the Grand Prix. I look forward to welcoming back the drivers, the teams, the international media, and most of all, the thousands of race fans to the Sunshine City.”
The collaboration of the City of St. Petersburg with Green Savoree to build and tear down the track and all its components, has evolved into a well-oiled machine. Most streets downtown, with the exception of Bayshore, will remain open until the four days of race weekend. Race weekend is now a highly anticipated annual event, attracting not only race fans from near and far, but families and vacationers.
The weekend will feature three days of time trials and championship racing with six different racing series: the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, Indy Pro 2000 presented by Cooper Tires, Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship, Pirelli GT4 America and TC America. The star IndyCar Series Race will take to the streets on Sunday for a 198-mile shoot-out on a 1.8-mile course with 14 turns. Festivities will include a Speed Zone with interactive games and exhibits, a Fan Village, beer gardens (including one floating trackside in Tampa Bay), driver autograph sessions and other events to be announced.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has become a keen fan of the race. “Every year, I look forward to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg when our city transforms itself around some of the greatest racing in the world,” said Kriseman. “It is a pleasure and
For updated information on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, go to gpstpete.com
PHOTO/BARRY LIVELY
Get Down On It Kick off race weekend by running or walking part of the Firestone Grand Prix track on Friday, March 8, at the 7th Annual Modern Business Associates 5K Run. Race time is 6 pm; proceeds benefit the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg. For more information, go to gpstpete5k. com Ticket Information Weekend (three-day) general admission tickets are $55 for adults and a junior ticket for ages 12 and under is available for $30. Sunday adult ticket is $50/ $25 for 12 and under; Saturday adult ticket is $35, /$20 for 12 and under; Friday adult ticket is $20 for all ages. General admission does not include a reserved
grandstand seat. 3-Day Grandstand seats start at $105 and $70 for juniors. Pit Access and Firestone Paddock Passes can also be purchased now. Single-day tickets will be released for sale closer to the event. Want to really get into the race weekend? Available for a limited time, Champions Club includes a Paddock Pass for the weekend pass ($75), plus allows members unprecedented access to attend the official IndyCar drivers meeting on race day, an opportunity to win a two-seater Indy car ride on track, merchandise discount and other exclusive experiences. The pass does not include general admission or a grandstand seat.