St. Pete track construction running ahead of schedule

With only 16 days before the start of activities for the 2007 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, construction on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn track and the installation of key infrastructure elements are running ahead of schedule. Approximately half of the concrete barriers lining the track have been put in place. To date, more than 36 million pounds of concrete barriers have been positioned and when the build-out is complete, the track will be lined with 70 million pounds of concrete barriers.

By the end of this week all of the grandstand seating will be in place and work is slated to begin next week on the American Le Mans Series and the Indy Pro Series paddocks, which will be located adjacent to the new terminal facility at Albert Whitted Airport. The first significant street closures are expected to take place on Saturday, March 24.

Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Activities Offer Something Fun for Everyone

While the 2007 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will provide world-class racing with the IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series, and a Sunday afternoon concert by Yellowcard, the event will also feature a number of other family-oriented activities.

At the Bright House Network Speed Zone, located inside the race circuit adjacent to Progress Energy Field, the Firestone Best 1 display, the Playstation Experience, the IndyCar Series’ Indy Challenge racing simulators and the Lowe’s Racing Experience will open daily at 8 a.m. The area also will feature a climbing wall, bungee experience and several other activities.

Across the track near Turns 10 and 11, the Indy Fan Zone will set up shop. This interactive display will showcase racing legend A. J. Foyt’s 50 years of involvement in open wheel racing in a unique museum-quality exhibit. A ferris wheel also will be operating during open track hours at this location.