Tickets to the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Go on Sale December 1
The marquee race will continue to be the IZOD IndyCar Series and will mark the eighth year of racing on the streets of St. Petersburg. The event will serve as home race to a number of Florida residents including Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves, who is the only two time winner in St. Petersburg. Other drivers to compete include former winners Dario Franchitti, Will Power, Ryan Briscoe and Graham Rahal, along with fierce competitors Marco Andretti and Scott Dixon, among others. Support series races rounding out the schedule will be announced at a later date.
“This season, our event will have the privilege of experiencing yet again a number of historic firsts for IndyCar racing," said Tim Ramsberger, Vice President and General Manager, Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. “In 2012 we will see a lot more competition, and the competition starts right here in St. Petersburg."
The 2012 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will also hold a special tribute for the late Dan Wheldon, who was a local resident and won the event’s inaugural race in 2005. Organizers have established a committee consisting of city, IndyCar, race officials and other stakeholders to determine memorial plans and will announce details in the new year.
The new IndyCar chassis, designed by Dallara Automobili, will make its first appearance of the season during the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. In honor of Dan Wheldon and his efforts in testing the car during the 2011 season, the new chassis will be labeled ‘DW12’. The 2012 season will also showcase three engine manufacturers, creating room for more competition than ever before. Honda, the sole engine supplier of the series since 2006, will be joined by Chevrolet and Lotus to provide turbocharged V-6 engines to competing teams, a move from last year’s V-8 engine.
In addition to world-class racing, the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will keep race fans entertained with interactive activities in the Bright House Speed Zone, live music, exhibits, great food concessions and beer gardens, and much more.
Tickets for the event range in price from $20 to $125. Paddock passes are also available starting at $40 for an adult single day pass. Reduced rate tickets are offered to juniors, ages 12 and under, in certain ticket categories.
Tickets can be purchased online www.gpstpete.com or by phone at 877-283-5385 starting December 1, 2011. Three-day reserved tickets purchased before December 31 will receive a free weekend IZOD IndyCar Series Paddock Pass, a $65 value.