|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
25 Feb 2004, 21:59 (Ref:885603) | #1 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 5,449
|
Champ Car Series Unable To Return To St Petersburg
Statement from OWR's
Champ Car World Series Unable To Return To St. Petersburg in 2004 INDIANAPOLIS (February 25, 2004) - Officials with the Champ Car World Series ("Series") and the City of St. Petersburg regretfully announced Wednesday that, despite their best efforts, they were not able to complete negotiations to acquire the rights to hold the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Open Wheel Racing Series, LLC ("Champ Car") attempted to acquire the rights to the race from the owner, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, Inc. ("GPA"), a subsidiary of Dover Motorsports, Inc. However, Champ Car and the city could not proceed with plans for a race without the consent of former rights holder Tom Begley, due to a transaction between Begley and 2003 race promoter GPA. When a successful resolution of the matter between GPA and Begley could not be reached, despite repeated entreaties from the City of St. Petersburg as well as Champ Car officials, the Series was left with no choice but to leave St. Petersburg off the soon-to-be-released 2004 schedule. "Champ Car worked very hard to hold the St. Petersburg race in 2004. The City of St. Petersburg, under the leadership of Mayor Rick Baker, provided phenomenal support as we tried to reach an agreement to hold the race," Champ Car President Dick Eidswick said. "Unfortunately, individuals unrelated to Champ Car kept that from happening, which is a disappointment not only to our drivers and teams, but more importantly to the many Champ Car fans throughout the Southeast. "The success of last year's race makes this outcome even more of a disappointment," continued Eidswick. "We were looking to build on that success and all parties worked around the clock for the last two weeks in trying to work out a resolution to include the race on our 2004 schedule. The drivers called it one of the most enjoyable street courses on the circuit and the great fan support was a key factor in our desire to hold the event. While we regret that we can not race in St. Petersburg in 2004, we are hopeful about the possibility of returning in the future, if circumstances allow." |
||
|
25 Feb 2004, 22:00 (Ref:885604) | #2 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 5,449
|
Stetement received from Mayor of St Petersburg:
St. Petersburg, Fla. (February 25, 2003) - Mayor Rick Baker expressed the city's disappointment upon hearing that Champ Car was unable to secure the rights to conduct a race in St. Petersburg in 2004: "It is unfortunate that St. Petersburg will not be included this year in the Champ Car World Series despite repeated attempts made by Open Wheel Racing Series to make the race happen," said Mayor Baker. "St. Petersburg has demonstrated it can host a successful street racing event along its world class waterfront. The terrific fan support from the 2003 race uniquely positions the city for a return of Champ Car racing in the near future. I am pleased that Champ Car continues to express a desire to return a race to St. Petersburg." |
||
|
26 Feb 2004, 00:16 (Ref:885731) | #3 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,236
|
A crying shame.....but I guess it's time to move on.
Lets all look forward to hopefully opening 2005's Champ Car series there, if possible...:confused: |
||
__________________
We need to win like you need to breathe.... |
26 Feb 2004, 06:15 (Ref:885828) | #4 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,125
|
I'd like to hold a dinner party. I'll invite each and every one of you, and I'd invite Begley.
Then I'd lock the doors and pull the shades. |
||
__________________
Don't make a fuss, just get on the bus! |
26 Feb 2004, 15:25 (Ref:886362) | #5 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,536
|
true poor move on the courts and the litigous society of the US these days, the rights sold to whom? who cares, a new group and a new race everyone can get paid, but they have to stall the race nee-cancel it because some goon had a problem with a brankrupt organization? If begley had a problem with Wrigley field or Fenway park i bet the courts would let the suit go on but wouldn't stop baseball from happening there, until resoved the game would go on. Which is what should happen here. what a HOrsesRear
|
||
__________________
SuperTrucks rule- end of story. Listen to my ramblings! Follow my twitter @davidAET I am shameless ... |
26 Feb 2004, 17:39 (Ref:886483) | #6 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 625
|
Oh that bites.
I sure hope they can get the issues resolved for 2005. I'd really like to see it back on the schedule. |
||
__________________
"The pedal doesn't care what your nationality is" Paul Gentilozzi |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Eurointernational Return to Champ 2006 (2 cars) | Phoenix1 | ChampCar World Series | 20 | 12 Aug 2005 12:52 |
Champ Car World Series looking ahead | SurfaceUnits | ChampCar World Series | 17 | 16 Feb 2004 19:49 |
Changing the face of the Champ Car Series | Jazner | ChampCar World Series | 31 | 3 Feb 2004 12:36 |
With all the changes to the Champ Car Series..... | suzmac | ChampCar World Series | 5 | 22 Dec 2003 08:45 |