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The Baltimore Grand Prix is big on so many levels. For a city like Baltimore to jump all in on the high-stakes game of grand-prix-style street racing is an audacious undertaking. For months now, Baltimoreans have seen and suffered through the build-up of what well could become a yearly bonanza for the city and state.
| Baltimore Grand Prix Primer: |
| • Will Race Bring Fresh Look At City? • Race, Ravens, Orioles: No Conflict • Geography Made Mission Simple • Full Closure Slated For Streets Sept. 1 • Le Mans 101 | Indy Car Facts • Baltimore Grand Prix Schedule • Video: Grand Prix Experts Speak Up • Plus: Baltimore's Auto Race History • Photo Gallery: Team Baltimore Racing |
Estimates are that this three-day event could create an economic impact of upward of $60 million. That's an important bit of information to keep in mind, while stuck in the inconvenience of yet another construction delay.
It's ironic that to build something for cars to go so fast, the city's normal folks are slowed to a snail's pace several times over.
Equally as difficult as putting on an event of this magnitude is trying to put one's arms around it and present information to our readers in a way that makes some sense.
What follows is a look at auto racing's cultish following through the years, along with an examination of how this spectacular downtown course (check out the course map) was envisioned and planned. We also take a look at the details of that supposedly sizable economic impact.
PressBox wishes the promoters good fortune and I think we'll all have a better handle on how to absorb this event after our first one has been run and done.
-- Stan "The Fan" Charles
Issue 164: August 2011