CART - confirmed Edmonton for 2005

Sorry Prairie Redliners, but Calgary was overlooked for Edmonton


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.

 

The full schedule:
Note Vancouver is gone.

March 20 -- Buenos Aires, Argentina (new, street);
April 10 -- Long Beach (street)
May 1 -- Puerto Rico (airport);
May 22 -- Monterrey, Mexico (road course);
June 4 -- Milwaukee (oval, daytime show);
June 19 -- Portland (road course);
June 25 -- Cleveland (airport);
July 10 -- Toronto (street);
July 17 -- Edmonton (airport);
July 31 -- San Jose (new, street);
Aug. 14 -- Denver (street);
Aug. 28 -- Montreal (road course);
Sept. 24 -- Las Vegas (oval);
Sept. 4 -- TBA;
Oct. 16 -- Seoul, Korea (new, permanent road course?);
Oct. 23 -- Australia (street);
Nov. 6 -- Mexico City (road course).

 

can you imagine watching the race....all of a sudden the caution flag comes out....an airplane is trying to land...the pilot didn't get the "memo".

 

I think it would be the red flag for that one LOL

 

that would definitely add excitement to the race!

 

Already booked my hotel room!

 

Should be good for Edmonton. I wonder what the course will be like at the airport? It's good to see more events in different places in Canada other than Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal!