Airport track attracts hundreds of thousands
It's far more than just Champ Car's Friday and Saturday qualifying and Sunday race. On the track there are also the Atlantic series with races Saturday and Sunday, the NASCAR Canadian Tire series racing Saturday and the Northern Alberta Sports Car Club presenting its 50th anniversary GT invitational on Sunday.
The cars hit the track each morning with 8 a.m. practice kicking off a full day of practice, qualifying and racing.
In keeping with the city's reputation for partying through major events, the festivities have been going on since Tuesday and will continue at various sites through Sunday.
At 10 a.m. today, the Turn 1 Club Stage and the Winners Circle Stage both open at the City Centre Airport with activities and bands through the day.
From Whyte Avenue to downtown to the race track, there's plenty of live performances, entertainment and refreshments well into the evening.
Parking is extremely limited at the track and there's no parking on the streets around the airport. So if you haven't already obtained a pass from one of the nearby companies that offered their lots, then the best way to get there is Park 'N' Ride. Edmonton Transit will operate from 11 sites throughout the city plus Sherwood Park and St. Albert. Cost is $3 each way. Go to www.grandprixedmonton.ca for the locations of the pick-up sites.
With the temperature for the weekend forecast to be in the 30 C range, dehydration and sunstroke can become real dangers. Edmonton Sun