St. Petersburg Looks To Extend Honda Grand Prix Deal Through ’17

UPDATE The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will “roar on despite complaints about barriers and fences on city streets," according to Mark Puente of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The City Council “unanimously approved a three-year contract extension with race officials Thursday that will keep the Grand Prix" in the city through ‘17. Leaders at the Mahaffey Theater and the Salvador Dalí Museum wanted the city to renegotiate a shorter time that their venues could be penned up behind concrete and steel barriers. The contract “allows 68 days for setup and removal." Puente notes the Dalí museum is “inside the race course and sealed off from the rest of downtown for more than a month." Several downtown residents before the council's vote Thursday “complained about the barriers and the noise associated with the race." Council member Bill Dudley said that the “bickering sends a bad message to race officials." Dudley: "Indy Car is watching. There are people in line waiting to take our spot. … Forty-five days is very reasonable." The race's owner “pledged that the firm will work to reduce the time" TAMPA BAY TIMES

Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC., owners of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, are pleased to announce that the St. Petersburg City Council voted unanimously yesterday to extend its race agreement until 2017. Going into its 9th year, the annual event has become a tradition for the city and showcases some of the best racing that North America has to offer along the picturesque St. Petersburg waterfront.

“We very much appreciate the continued support of the City of St. Petersburg City Council, Mayor Bill Foster and his staff. We enjoy and value a tremendous partnership with the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County and sponsors and will continue our efforts to stage a quality international sporting event showcasing our community to the world," said Tim Ramsberger, Vice President and General Manager for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. “We are proud of our accomplishments over the past eight years and look forward to many more years of providing extraordinary exposure and economic impact to St. Petersburg and region."

The event features three days of on- and off-track activities for people of all ages to enjoy. From local talents to international performers, the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a local success putting forth a great community effort.

“St. Petersburg hosts many events, but none heightens our city’s visibility as much as the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg," said Mayor Bill Foster. “Each year, we welcome more than 150,000 race fans from nearly every state in the country, Canada, South America, Japan and Europe. The race also brings beautiful images of our city to 180 million homes in 171 countries around the globe. That’s exposure we can’t buy. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. has been a great partner with us in bringing a great race, and great exposure to our city."

The 9th edition of the race will take place March 22-24, 2013 and tickets are set to go on sale in November. For more information on the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, please visit: www.gpstpete.com

06/21/12 The St. Petersburg City Council today will vote on a three-year contract extension with Honda Grand Prix officials to keep the Izod IndyCar Series race in town through '17. Leaders at the Salvador Dali Museum and Mahaffey Theater "want to shorten the 45 days every year that the contract allows the museum to be penned up behind walls of concrete and steel." Under the current deal, the museum is "inside the race course and sealed off from the rest of downtown for more than a month" TAMPA BAY TIMES