Denver race will go on despite uncertainty

The fifth Grand Prix of Denver begins today with a shaky local ownership group, no sponsor before its name, and the backing of a racing series that is negotiating to merge with its rival.

While none of that sounds promising, the road ahead appears clear for the Champ Car World Series event to continue in Denver.

"I can absolutely assure you that it will continue," said Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven, the lead negotiator in merger meetings with Indy Racing League president Tony George. "It is a race that has evolved over the years. It is very unique and attractive, and I promise you it will continue."

The Grand Prix's local owner is Centennial businessman Robert E. Sutton, founder of Sutton International Motorsports. Champ Car stepped in last month to help finance and ensure that this weekend's race would take place.

Sutton, CEO of Centrix Financial – the Grand Prix's title sponsor from 2003-05 – is being sued by five Centrix investors for fraud, and he was prepared to cancel this weekend's race before Champ Car rescued it, a source familiar with the negotiations said.

"The race was in jeopardy," said Jim Hancock, a Centrix/Sutton executive.

Sutton's problems could lead to another local ownership group joining forces with Champ Car, the city and Pepsi Center landowner Kroenke Sports Enterprises. Meetings about that were held Thursday in Denver and more are scheduled today and Saturday, Hancock said. "There is a support for the event. Everybody wants it to continue."

Asked if Sutton is among those supporters, Hancock said: "We're not really at liberty to say yet. We still have an ownership involvement in the event. There will be an announcement soon."

The race is under contract through 2013 with the city. However, when Sutton bought it in 2004 from Dover Motorsports, a termination option was given to the city to be considered at the end of 2006. Sutton has a similar option after the 2008 race.

Assistant city attorney Maria Kayser said Denver is happy with the event and there have been no discussions to use its termination right by Dec. 31.

"No one has raised that issue," she said. "It has been going well, and it's a great thing for the city."

Kalkhoven reiterated the race is on solid ground. "Champ Car has the right to race there for some time to come," he said. "This year is a transition year between Centrix and ourselves. At the end of this race we'll be announcing who will be running this race in the future. But to be sure, it will be running in the future." More at Denver Post