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BALTIMORE — One promoter is calling it a "three-day festival of speed." Baltimore city officials expressed pride their city was chosen. And a state official cited a study saying the economic impact for the event will be in the range of $60 million to $100 million, with about 400 jobs expected to be generated.
The "event," details of which were unveiled Monday at a press conference, is what Baltimore Racing Development is planning for the streets of Charm City: an Indy Racing League "Grand Prix" race targeted for Labor Day weekend in 2011.
Lending Hall of Fame credibility to the press conference, with cameras snapping away in the crowded room at the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards, was the presence of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr., who is acting as a liaison for the race's plans between Baltimore Racing Development and the Indy Racing League.
The release of more details for the race follows the unanimous approval Aug. 10 of a Baltimore City Council resolution giving Baltimore Racing Development exclusive rights for two years to pursue hosting an Indy race. James Davidson, COO of the racing development group, emphasized Monday that "much work needs to be done with city officials" to make the event a reality — including finalizing capital improvement plans, completing traffic and noise studies, fighting off other cities vying to stage an Indy race in 2011 and raising the estimated $15 million to $20 million needed to stage the race.
Asked about another city issue, the sporadic crime in downtown Baltimore this year and the possible effects on race attendance, Davidson said, "I'm from Baltimore and I know there has been violence that has popped up … and my sense is the mayor and her administration have done a good job of responding to it. I know I've seen more of a presence [of police officers] there. Certainly we are invested in Baltimore and having our visitors safe. I believe the city will be able to make it safe for the race."
Baltimore Racing Development officials said they hope to obtain "final approval from the city" before April, with the Indy league expected to announce next July which city will receive the 2011 race and a subsequent three- to five-year deal to annually present the race.
But Davidson, echoing others Monday, said, "We feel confident we can bring a world-class event to our city and state."
Unser said, speaking of the tourism and marketing advantages for the city, "The best way to bring attention to Baltimore is to have a street race."
Added Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the city council president: "I'm so proud that even in tough times people are looking at Baltimore to have this type of event."
The proposed 2.4-mile race course extends from Russell Street on Baltimore's downtown West side, East along West Pratt Street, South onto Light Street and then back west along West Conway and West Camden streets to Russell.
The man credited with getting it all started about a year ago is Steve Wehner, president and CEO of Baltimore Racing Development. A Baltimore native and veteran businessman and business owner, Wehner said in a statement, "I'm pleased and grateful that we are one step closer to bringing this great event to Baltimore. The City Council resolution is a major milestone for us, and we look forward to partnering with the city and state throughout this process."
Officials with Wehner's group and others on Monday referred to the success of grand prix street races in other cities, most notably Long Beach, Calif., and St. Petersburg, Fla.
Davidson, with the racing development group, was asked if it was a consultant or economist who provided the study indicating the economic impact for the event could be $60 million to $100 million. That figure came partly from "looking at published reports of other races, including those in Detroit and Toronto," he said.
Davidson and others, including Terry Hasseltine, director of sports marketing with the state Department of Business and Economic Development, said the economic impact figures and attendance estimates of more than 150,000 visitors who will be spending money on hotel rooms, meals, tickets and other purchases during the event, come from the expectation the event will draw people from up and down the East Coast.
Also working with Baltimore Racing Development is Chuck Kosich of MJ Promotions, which owned and operated both the Houston and Cleveland grand prix races.
"The [Indy Racing League] is definitely looking at this market," Kosich said. "They're interested in the East Coast. The pieces are in place for this event to be on par with other grand prixs … and maybe surpass some of them."
He added: "It may surprise you, but we will not promote this as a race … We will promote this as a three-day festival of speed, and a family affordable event."
The Indy Racing League's Grand Prix of Sonoma (Calif.), north of San Francisco, is being held this weekend at Infineon Raceway. According to the racetrack's Web site, tickets cost $10 general admission for adults, and children are free with a paid adult admission.