Champ Car Coming To Edm - Its Official

[speedracer]

It's official:
http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/cart/news_story.asp?ID=102937&hubName=auto_racing-cart

Though I wished it was in Calgary!



Edmonton to host Champ Car race
Canadian Press

10/27/2004

EDMONTON (CP) - Some of the biggest names in the world of auto racing will appear in Edmonton next summer.

The Champ Car World Series is adding the Alberta city as its fourth Canadian stop on its racing circuit, Greg Macdonald, one of the organizers of the local race, said Wednesday.

He said the series will be held at Edmonton's municipal airport July 15-17.

Three of the circuit's top drivers - Alex Tagliani, Patrick Carpentier and Paul Tracy - are Canadians.

The Indy-type world series circuit also has stops in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. It is held every year, Macdonald said.

``We believe that this will do so many things for the city of Edmonton,'' Macdonald told CFRN-TV.

Macdonald said Edmonton was picked over Calgary for the race because organizers had experience, the airport site and the proximity to downtown.

The Champ series spans four countries and three continents.

The race is expected to be worth $22 million for local businesses.

Brian de Ruiter, an Edmonton race fan, said he's thrilled the circuit is coming to Edmonton.

``The roar of the engines when they're coming around that first lap. The smell of the tires, the gas. It's an incredible event. Edmonton is going to love it,'' he said.

Tickets range from $50 up to $220 for a three-day pass.

A sponsor has not yet been named, but Molson sponsors races in the other Canadian cities.

[sexualbanana]

That's cool that Edmonton got it. I was wondering where they would have the race if it was in Calgary.

[coldrsx]

City of Champ Cars: It's official
Tracy, Carpentier and the boys are coming to Edmonton

Dan Barnes
The Edmonton Journal


Thursday, October 28, 2004








Edmonton / It's finally official: Edmonton has become the City of Champ Cars.

The Edmonton Indy got the green light from Champ Car World Series on Tuesday and promoters announced on Wednesday that their race will occupy the July 15-17 slot on the 2005 schedule, which will be unveiled by series officials at their Indianapolis head office today.

This massive enterprise, which boasts a budget of $13 million, isn't just a spectacular one-off sporting event like the Heritage Classic outdoor NHL game of last year. The four-man promotional group has nailed down a long-term attraction for Edmonton in a sport with wide demographic appeal.

They signed a three-year deal with Champ Car and the locals hold an option for two more years. That contract mirrors the one they have with Edmonton Airports for the use of City Centre Airport, where a 1.96-mile road course will be laid out. The course design will leave one runway fully operational for the duration of the event and another closed for a seven-day period in July.

This is clearly the biggest thing to happen to auto racing in Edmonton. Ever. And it's going to fit nicely into the summer landscape here, complementing two months' worth of festivals and sporting events. Klondike Days and the World Masters Games are likely to benefit immediately from drafting on the back end of the Indy race as both those events start just days later.

"It's $22 million in economic upside for the city of Edmonton. It's not just a race," said Greg Macdonald, a born-and-bred Edmontonian who is president and general manager of the promotional group. "It's a week-long festival. There will be street parties, golf tournaments, the Indy dinner."

Macdonald said his group has tried to minimize the inconvenience for the 60 tenants at the airport and people who live in surrounding communities. There will be 11 hours of racing over three days and cars can only be operating between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., as a nod toward limiting noise complaints. Park and Ride will be heavily promoted as the preferred method of transportation, limiting parking concerns around the area.

Macdonald said local community associations and schools also have a chance to benefit from 50/50 draws. His group, which includes local businessmen Frank Calder, Ernie Pesemko and Tom Doerksen, has clearly paid attention to detail and wants this event seen as a boon for the city.

"My family goes back over 100 years in the City of Edmonton. I think it's very important to put Edmonton on the map, to let people know we're progressive in our thinking."

Champ Car obviously liked what they saw and heard from these promoters, as they opted to put their only Alberta race in Edmonton rather than accept a bid from a Calgary-based group.

Macdonald kept gloating to a minimum as he needs to attract race fans from Calgary, not repel them, if the event is to attract the 120,000 spectators necessary to make it a financial success.

He'll also have to attract a title sponsor and Molson is still in the picture. Macdonald is meeting with Molson officials on Friday in Toronto.

He already has the financial backing of a local investors group which includes Oilers part-owner Bruce Saville, and it is known that Molson has asked the provincial government to kick in $2 million annually to support an Alberta race.

This one has been three years in the making.

"We always knew Edmonton deserved a motorsport event like this and we looked at various series," said Macdonald, adding that they spoke to Champ Car rival Indy Racing League but did not pursue a deal with them. "Champ Car has had great success in Canadian markets."

Indeed. Indy races in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver have been a roaring success. However, Toronto and Vancouver races are still up in the air and may not be on the schedule when it's released today, but they are not necessarily dead in the water. The Vancouver race is delayed pending provincial government financing and the Toronto race is being held up by approval from the Canadian National Exhibition. Part of the street course is on CNE grounds.

"If fans up there don't see what they want to see, don't panic," Champ Car spokesman Eric Mauk told the Vancouver Sun this week. "It doesn't necessarily mean it's not going to happen."

Champ Car vice-president Joe Chrnelich said series officials want and may well get 16 races in 2005, up two from 2004. But there definitely won't be 16 on today's schedule. Confirmed races so far include: Edmonton; Milwaukee; Portland, Ore.; Long Beach, Calif.; Monterrey, Mexico; Mexico City; and Surfer's Paradise, Australia. Champ Car is also hoping to have races in San Jose, Denver, Las Vegas, Elkhart, Wisc., and Buenos Aires.

[MenteL]

bullshit, we're suposed to getthe indy cars, not edmonton. damn, that city sucks ass

[roopi]

Originally posted by MenteL
bullshit, we're suposed to getthe indy cars, not edmonton. damn, that city sucks ass

Well we just got a bit better.

[Dave P]

I dunno about the proposed track thuogh. I saw a cascar race at the airport, and it was pretty lame.

but no the less, this will be awsome

[coldrsx]

NO vancouver......HHAHAHAHA


© CART-Racing.com / Gail Shankland
Champ Car today released the 2005 schedule with new events at Edmonton, Silicon Valley and Korea. However, the new races come at a cost, as the 14-race schedule does not include Road America, the finest race circuit that Champ Cars race at, while Vancouver has been dropped from the lineup. The following is a press release from Champ Car.

The end of the 2004 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford season is rapidly approaching with just one week left before the season finale in Mexico City.

But in auto racing, the end of one season simply signals the beginning of a new one, and the Champ Car World Series today marked the start of the 2005 season with the announcement of 14 race dates for next year.

The current schedule features events on three continents and five countries as the worldwide appeal of the premier open-wheel racing series in North America continues to grow. The calendar features seven races in the United States, three in Canada, two in Mexico and one each in Australia and Korea. It gets underway on April 10 at Long Beach, where the 2004 season opener drew 170,000 fans for the three-day event, and closes with a November 6 event in Mexico City.

“This is a schedule that really shows the international flavor of our series, and is one that we think will make our teams, sponsors and fans very happy,” said Champ Car President and CEO Dick Eidswick. “In our last race, drivers from seven nations were among the top eight finishers and it is diversity like that which helps broaden our appeal and makes our series attractive throughout the world. We believe that this year’s schedule will develop awareness of Champ Car even further.”

The 2005 schedule welcomes three new events to the Champ Car World Series. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada will host its first Champ Car race on July 17, running on a temporary airport course similar to the one used for the Champ Car Grand Prix of Cleveland. The series will also travel to Ansan, Korea for a race on October 17. In addition, a race will be held in California’s Silicon Valley on July 31.

“We’re very pleased with the interest we have gotten from venues around the world and the fact that we have added three new venues speaks to the strength and attractiveness of the Champ Car product and we believe that the ones that are currently on the schedule provided Champ Car with the highest potential for long-term growth,” said Champ Car Vice-President of Development, Governmental Affairs and Planning Joe Chrnelich. “We are in discussions with other potential new venues for the future as well as we strive to build the best series possible for our teams, sponsors and fans.”

Consequently, this schedule may see some other additions before the beginning of the 2005 season. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the final number of races on the 2005 schedule.

The new venues are liberally mixed with a number of long-running events on the Champ Car calendar. Long Beach returns for its 22nd year on the Champ Car schedule, while Cleveland will host the turbocharged Champ Cars for the 24th time, moving up a week from the Fourth-of-July weekend where it had run the last two seasons.

The venerable Milwaukee Mile will again see the Champ Cars in early June as it has for 56 of the last 57 years, while teams will battle through the Festival Curves of Portland International Raceway for the 22nd consecutive season. Toronto will celebrate its 20th anniversary of Champ Cars this year and Surfers Paradise, Australia will look to keep the longest streak of different race winners in the series alive for the 15th straight year.

Successful recent additions to the Champ Car calendar such as Denver, Montreal, Monterrey, Mexico and Mexico City will also return to the schedule as will Las Vegas, which hosted the Champ Cars in front of 80,000 fans in September.

Schedule

April 10 Long Beach
May 22 Monterrey
June 4 Milwaukee
June 19 Portland
June 26 Cleveland
July 10 Toronto
July 17 Edmonton
July 31 Silicon Valley
Aug. 14 Denver
Aug. 28 Montreal
Sept. 25 Las Vegas
Oct. 16 Korea
Oct. 23 Australia
Nov. 6 Mexico City

[Singel]

i need that high speed train to come up and watch the race. Airport tracks are aiight, isn't the Cleveland race one?

[rage2]

Wonder what they're gonna have for supporting races...

[coldrsx]

cleveland is indeed the other airport track.


as for supporting races....i would think CASCAR might get in on this op perhaps? How about a beyond race:>

[GingeRRRBeef]

Well I suppose we got a reason to go to Edmonton now .... beyond roadtrip!

[Z_Fan]

This could very well be the only thing of any interest in Edmonton.

Bwhahahaha...

Well, this is cool really. Guess I'll be going to Edmonton in July.

[coldrsx]

"This could very well be the only thing of any interest in Edmonton."

"Well I suppose we got a reason to go to Edmonton now "


....we dont want yah, have fun with your rodeo cowboys.

[roopi]

Originally posted by Silver_SpecV
Well I suppose we got a reason to go to Edmonton now .... beyond roadtrip!

Don't forget about Klondike Days, it's the Greatest Outdoor Show in Edmonton!

You guys can come look at our Stanley Cup banners as well if you want. We don't mind sharing.

[speedracer]

Too bad Calgary lost the bidding. Would have been interesting to see Downtown Calgary Shutdown :burnout:

[rage2]

The airport would make a great drifting event hehe.

[rage2]

keep it on topic guys. Start an edmonton vs calgary debate elsewhere.

[buh_buh]

yea we don't need a debate to know Calgary's better than Edmonton.:rofl:

[coldrsx]

Original Post Removed. (Please read the Forum Rules and Terms of Use (http://forums.beyond.ca/articles.php?action=data&item=1) before posting again, or risk getting banned).

[M_Power]

Originally posted by coldrsx


did i mention edmonton has a champ car race:poosie:


you already used that line in ur other gay post. ;)

[coldrsx]

^please stay on topic

[MenteL]

Original Post Removed. (Please read the Forum Rules and Terms of Use (http://forums.beyond.ca/articles.php?action=data&item=1) before posting again, or risk getting banned).

[GingeRRRBeef]

Originally posted by MenteL
I hope that the champ cars don't get they're tires impaled by dirty needles.

now, now ... leaving the cussing to the split thread ... that's why its there

[smokedog]

Original Post Removed. (Please read the Forum Rules and Terms of Use (http://forums.beyond.ca/articles.php?action=data&item=1) before posting again, or risk getting banned).

[Moonracer]

I was hoping for it to be held here in Cowtown...haha but having it in edmoncrap is better than not having it in alberta at all. :thumbsup: Can't wait

[BigMass]

This isnt about Calgary VS Edmonton, but does anyone know why Edmonton got the race over Calgary? I think Calgary needs to step up to the plate more in terms of bringing culture to the city. People dont realize that bringing a world class racing event to the city can be just as important as putting money into healthcare and infrastructure.

Calgary came through in 1988, we need to start being more aggressive when we have opportunities such as a CART race.

[rage2]

Originally posted by BigMass
This isnt about Calgary VS Edmonton, but does anyone know why Edmonton got the race over Calgary? I think Calgary needs to step up to the plate more in terms of bringing culture to the city. People dont realize that bringing a world class racing event to the city can be just as important as putting money into healthcare and infrastructure.

Calgary came through in 1988, we need to start being more aggressive when we have opportunities such as a CART race.
There was no suitable venue in Calgary. Doubt the Calgary International airport wants to shut down for a race heh.

Other options (race city, stampede park) were too cost prohibitive.

[coldrsx]

Edmonton had a better bid, more community support, a better venue, and was further along in all aspects of roganization from what i was told.

Edmonton's municipal venue was the key though as it is in the downtown, has great access, is secure, and can be configured to have a 2mile course.....plus CHAMP wanted another airport venue besides cleveland.

[JAYMEZ]

Originally posted by rage2

There was no suitable venue in Calgary. Doubt the Calgary International airport wants to shut down for a race heh.

Other options (race city, stampede park) were too cost prohibitive.


Ya i think this is the best reason, Edmonton doesnt even have an international airport. Calgary defiantly wouldnt close down for this. People would be so mad!

[coldrsx]

"Edmonton doesnt even have an international airport."

edmonton has 8 direct non-stop US flights:

vegas
seattle
la
chicago
minneapolis
houston
denver
phoenix

that makes us an internatinal....

....the course is at our second airport downtown....

[Dave P]

were so pimp we got 2 airports haha.

ok well one is paritally shut down and ghetto. but whos counting

haha

[coldrsx]

looks too good......

http://bucketboy.miscstuff.cjb.net/ChampCar_2005_Edmonton_Layout.jpg

[hjr]

Originally posted by JAYMEZ_STi
Ya i think this is the best reason, Edmonton doesnt even have an international airport. Calgary defiantly wouldnt close down for this. People would be so mad! as mentioned, edmonton does indeed have 2 airports. a municiple airport just north of downtown (where the race will be held). The other is just south of the city (by leduc) and is the edmonton international airport (YEG).

[64SON]

edmonton :thumbsup:
calgary :thumbsdow

that's sweet, i'll chek it out