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You Are Here: Home » Things to Do » Spectator Sports » Grand Prix Means Street Racing is Legal! »
Welcome Race Fans!
The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg returns April 3-5, 2009 and kicks off an exciting 2009 season IndyCar Circuit.
Discount race weekend hotel packages here.
Register to win FREE passes to the 2009 Honda Grand Prix here.
This will be the fifth running of the event, with race action on a temporary street circuit in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg. Drivers will race at speeds in excess of 170 mph through the streets of St. Petersburg and the Albert Whitted Airport, overlooking the picturesque city waterfront.
Graham Rahal, who became the youngest driver ever to win an IndyCar race, will be back in St. Petersburg to defend his title. Also racing in the 2009 Grand Prix is superstar Danica Patrick and her Andretti Green #7 racing team. Danica is the first and only woman to ever win a race in the IndyCar Circuit, winning the IndyJapan 300 in April of 2008. She finished 10th in last year's Grand Prix and is looking for a big finish at this year's season opening event. Adding to the excitement is the debut of team co-owner and 2008 Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Andretti, as Danica's strategist for the 2009 IndyCar Series.
Racing and More
There's more action than just racing though. This year's three day event features a variety of activities taking place along the magnificent waterfront. A fan favorite since 1969, the Festival of States Illuminated Night Parade and Fireworks will get the weekend revved up Thursday night. The Parade starts at 7:30 and will wind through downtown St. Pete along the water.
The party shifts into second gear on Friday, as fans are treated to an American Le Mans Series practice a drifting exhibition, an air show, a driver autograph session, and the Michael Andretti Foundation Gala taking place Friday evening from 7-9 pm.
The festivities kick up a notch on Saturday, with the Acura Sports Car Challenge taking center stage at 1:20pm, along with the Firestone Indy Lights Race, concerts, air shows, and autograph sessions.
Turn on the boost for Sunday as the main event unfolds. The second Firestone Indy Lights Race kicks the day off at 10:00 am, followed by a drifting exhibition, concerts and air shows all morning long leading up to the exciting 2:30pm race start.
Looking for something for the whole family? Check out the Bright House Networks Speed Zone, located right next to Progress Energy Park. Kids can ride a Ferris wheel, see a clown, rock climb, get their face painted and much more!
For a complete event schedule, please visit www.gpstpete.com/event_schedule.html.
Watching the Action
The area also offers several exciting ways to watch the race, both traditional and unique. Standard tickets as well as all inclusive VIP packages are available for the race at www.gpstpete.com. A wide range of viewing areas are set up for fans along the race circuit, in addition to grand stand seating at the finish line.
Fans can also watch from their own hotel rooms, as several accommodations are located on or near the circuit. Restaurants and bars located in close proximity to the circuit are another great way to take in the action up close. An RV Club Village allows spectators to enjoy the race from their own comfortable surroundings. And, an exclusive members only Grand Prix Yacht Club will be set up along the waterfront, just off Turn 10. This venue provides guests the very rare opportunity to view the race from their yachts. For more of a thrill, members can go ashore and see the start, the action in the pits and the finish from a fully-catered luxury box seat.
Get to know all the details surrounding this exciting event by watching a two-hour preview show about the Honda Grand Prix on VERSUS, airing on Saturday April 4, 2009. Check your listings for details.
For a map of the race circuit, click here.
Tickets
This is a one-of-a-kind event for the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area and the entire southeast United States. Tickets and Hospitality packages are available at www.gpstpete.com, by calling 727-824-7223 (ext. 225) or at Ticketmaster online and Ticketmaster outlets.
Stay and Play
Check out the great money saving Grand Prix hotel packages our area has to offer. From beach resorts to downtown St. Petersburg get-aways, there's something for everyone for race weekend. More
You don't want to miss this!
For the most up-to-date race information, please visit www.gpstpete.com.
Click here to see Mike Andretti
If you are interested in being a volunteer during this exciting event and an ambassador for our destination, please email [email protected] with your availability.
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