Grand Prix expected to move to prime time

[¡As-de-mim!]

01/11/03
Elton Alexander
Plain Dealer Reporter

The news conference invitations are black, making it pretty obvious the next Cleveland Grand Prix will be held under the lights.

The annual race at Burke Lakefront Airport, traditionally run on July Fourth weekend, is expected to be held on a Saturday night. The official word will come Thursday morning at Burke in an announcement of "significant developments that will revolutionize the face of racing in Cleveland," the invitation said.

Officials at Cleveland-based IMG, which promotes the race, would not give specifics on what has been in the works since at least the end of the last summer's race. IMG, the city and Championship Auto Racing Teams, which sanctions the event, have long said a new deal was in the works. But no official announcement has been made for the event or a race date.

Privately, those close to the negotiations say they are "excited, thrilled and ecstatic" about the expected changes for the 22nd annual race. Night racing on the open-wheel circuit has been common for several seasons, but whatever IMG, CART and the city of Cleveland have in store apparently will go beyond that.

"Cleveland will definitely be making history," Bud Stanner, president of IMG/Motorsports, said yesterday. "Our announcement will be the first of its kind in the world in both magnitude and scope. This will truly put Cleveland at the head of the pack, and add tremendous excitement for our sponsors and race fans."