Preps underway for Honda Grand Prix in St. Petersburg - WFLA-TV Newschannel 8
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Workers are moving 20 million pounds of concrete block, and 40,000 feet of chain link fencing to create the track for the Honda Grand Prix in St. Petersburg.
Race President Tim Ramsberger said they're in the final stretch, "Quite a bit of infrastructure still to be done over the next 48 hours but we're excited. This is GO time for us."
Several downtown St. Petersburg streets will completely close off Thursday to form the 1.8 mile course.
The Grandstands are ready and the flags are going up.
This year, fans can enjoy some new interactive activities on site. There will be a go-kart track for some fun between races. Also a special flyover will entertain the crowds on Saturday and Sunday.
Race officials plan to unveil a monument to past winners, as well as a memorial to Dan Weldon, the popular local driver who died in 2011. "I think for us having a permanent monument on a year-round basis firmly establishes us as a part of the community long term," said Ramsberger.
This week-end there will be 5 sanctioned races. For the big one, the Izod Indycar Series, drivers will race 110 laps which is 198 miles.
Gates open to the public on Friday morning, for practice and qualifying on the track. The races begin Saturday. Tickets range from $20-$135 dollars.
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