Oklahoma City eyes street race

UPDATE #3 Another reader writes, In your comments about the IRL being a better fit for OKC I have to disagree. Corn is not a big part of the farming community in Oklahoma, it's more about cattle ranching. Also oil and natural gas are big parts of the economy. I lived in OKC for many years and I would personally like to see Champ Car take on this venture, seeing as they have nailed down the 3 day festivals of speed concept. Please also note that this will have to be a early spring or fall event, fall is better than spring even due to the heavy thunderstorms that roll in over the plains in the spring. John Liebhaber

05/31/07 The Oklahoma City race would take place in the bricktown section of OKC. This is the main social-entertainment section in Oklahoma City. Mayor Mick Cornett told KOCO TV that the race would be helped if the state legislature next year considers a sales tax rebate law to help offset the cost of putting the race on. Mayor Cornett said the race could still happen without the sales tax rebate, as all of the infrastructure is in place and only slight modifications would be needed. Having a race in Bricktown is a piece of the puzzle in making Oklahoma City a "Big League City". Oklahoma City has also started relocation talks with the Seattle Supersonics of the NBA about locating their franchise to OKC.

05/30/07 Mayor Mick Cornett (right) revealed to television station KOCO that he visited the Champ Car Long Beach Grand Prix to see how they put on their street racing event. The story also said that they are going to meet with representatives of the IRL. [Editor's Note: Oklahoma City might be a better fit for the IRL and its ethanol campaign.]. The story also did not rule out Champ Car's involvement in the possible event. Cornett mentioned the large number of Oklahomans that attend races at Texas Motor Speedway, and that the motorsports fans in Oklahoma are underserved. Mayor Cornett played a large role in Oklahoma City landing the New Orleans Hornets following Hurricane Katrina. The Hornets Played in OKC the last two seasons in the NBA. Television station KOCO in Oklahoma City is going to have more information on their ten o'clock news about the pros and cons of having this possible event.

05/30/07 According to KOCO TV in Oklahoma City, the mayor and a local businessman have had opening discussions about bringing a street race to downtown Oklahoma City. The story said that either the Champ Car World Series or the IRL could put on the race.