IndyCar loses Edmonton race

UPDATE #2 Montreal-based Octane said that to survive the event needed a promise of more spectators and more support from local businesses, and that it was wasn’t confident that would happen. “Despite our tight management policies and all our efforts to offer to the fans a world-class spectacle, we were not able to make this event profitable and nothing allows us to hope for a better profitability next year," Octane said in a statement. “This year’s attendance was good, but we were also convinced that the event, especially with the quality of the spectacle offered, should have attracted many more spectators over its three days."

09/21/12 INDYCAR, the sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, announced today it will not return to Edmonton in 2013.

"When we finalized our schedule for the upcoming 2013 season, it unfortunately did not include Edmonton," said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR. "We thank the city of Edmonton and all the fans for their support of the event over the last eight years."

Bernard added: "More importantly this has not affected our plans for a minimum of 19 races next season, and we remain optimistic that we will return to having two races in Canada as early as 2014. We anticipate announcing our full 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series schedule the first week of October."

09/21/12 The Edmonton Indy has run out of gas. We always suspected Octane, who promotes NASCAR races in Canada, was going to find a way to make the Edmonton race a NASCAR event as they work to lock IndyCar out of Canada.

In a news release, the City of Edmonton says Octane Motorsports the promoter and operator of the 2011 and 2012 Edmonton Indy, has informed the city and IndyCar that it has made a business decision to not produce the Edmonton Indy in 2013.

The City of Edmonton says it will not seek another promoter or take additional steps to pursue a race for 2013.

“This news is disappointing for the city and race fans. The 2012 Edmonton Indy was a great event both on and off the track. It, like previous races, brought economic benefits and international exposure to Edmonton," said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “We appreciate the contribution of all our partners in making the event a positive experience for both residents and visitors."

So in other words Octane said they no longer wanted to promote the race and they left IndyCar to do it themselves or kill the event. Prediction: Edmonton will soon announce a NASCAR Nationwide race.