Long Beach votes to stay with IndyCar
We contacted Long Beach IndyCar boss Jim Michaelian for confirmation. He told AR1.com, "We think this is a wise decision by the City Council. It affords the Grand Prix the opportunity to continue to conduct the #1 street race in America while allowing the City to explore another alternative. In the end we are confident that the City will conclude that the partnership it has had with the Grand Prix Association is the most beneficial from every perspective and we will continue to conduct the event in Long Beach for many more years to come."
"This is precisely what we wanted," said Michaelian, who said both sides agreed to the terms in principal. "They have every right to explore other options, but by the same token we have the certainty of conducting the event through 2018. That’s important because we have lots of sponsorship agreements."
Long Beach’s current contract with the Grand Prix Association expires June 30, 2015.
Deputy City Manager Tom Modica would not confirm or deny any extension or bidding process but said the council provided a direction Tuesday night.
"We will have an item for public review when negotiations are complete," Modica said.