Baltimore Grand Prix Added to IZOD IndyCar Series 2011 Schedule

BALTIMORE, Maryland – Following unanimous votes from both the Baltimore City Council and the Maryland Stadium Authority, a sanctioning agreement has been reached to add Baltimore to the IZOD IndyCar Series for at least five years beginning in 2011.

The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix is scheduled for August 5-7.

“In August 2011, our city will be the home for one of the most exciting sporting events in the world,” said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “I want to thank the governor, [Baltimore Racing Development] and IndyCar officials for your role in making this race a reality for Baltimore. In addition to filling city hotel rooms and restaurants, this street race will change the way the world sees Baltimore as a result of global media exposure to millions of Indy Racing League fans who attend similar events in Sao Paulo, Long Beach and St. Petersburg.”

Mayor Rawlings-Blake attended last weekend’s Indianapolis 500 and found it to be “one of the most exciting sporting events in the world.”

The Baltimore Grand Prix will be a 2.4-mile temporary street circuit around the Inner Harbor with Pit Lane running adjacent to Camden Yards.

Tickets to the race are expected to go on sale this fall.

The IZOD IndyCar Series will announce the full 2011 schedule in July.

Robyn Lynne Schechter