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FORMULA ONE: SAP US Grand Prix Event Happenings

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
September 21, 2001

INDIANAPOLIS - Event happenings leading up to and during the SAP United States Grand Prix on Sept. 28-30 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

SCHEDULE:

The SAP United States Grand Prix starts at 1 p.m. (EST) Sept. 30. Qualifying starts at 1 p.m. Sept. 29.

Practice sessions start at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sept. 28, and 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Sept. 29. The warm-up session starts at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 30 with the grid presentation starting at 11:45 a.m.

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ON THE AIR:

The SAP United States Grand Prix will be televised live on ABC at 2 p.m. (EDT) Sept. 30. Speedvision will rebroadcast the SAP United States Grand Prix at 8 p.m. (EDT) and midnight Sunday, Oct. 7.

Qualifying will be televised live on Speedvision at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) Sept. 29. Practice will also be shown live on Speedvision from noon-4 p.m. Sept. 28 and 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 29. Speedvision also will televise the race-morning warm-up at 9:30 a.m. (EDT) Sept. 30.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network will broadcast a 30-minute pre-race show at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) Sept. 30 followed by the live race broadcast at 2 p.m. There will be a qualifying wrap-up show at 3 p.m. Sept. 29.

The area IMS Radio Network affiliate is WIBC-AM 1070, Indianapolis.

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TICKETS:

Tickets for the SAP United States Grand Prix on Sept. 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are available by calling (800) 822-INDY or by downloading a ticket form at www.usgpindy.com .

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STRONG SUPPORT:

For the second consecutive year, the Porsche Pirelli Supercup and the Ferrari Challenge series will race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as support events for the SAP United States Grand Prix. Porsche Pirelli Supercup practice will take place at 9 a.m. (EST) Sept. 28 with qualifying sessions at 2:30 and 4 p.m. Race One will take place at 3 p.m. Sept. 29 with Race Two at 9:20 a.m. Sept. 30.

Ferrari Challenge practice will start at 5:30 p.m. (EST) Sept. 28, with qualifying at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 29. The race will start at 11 a.m. Sept. 30.

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HISTORY ON WHEELS:

Twenty-eight vintage Formula One cars will drive on the 2.606-mile road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 5-5:15 p.m. (EST) Sept. 28 and 3:50-4 p.m. Sept. 29. The Historic Grand Prix group is comprised of more than 50 owner-drivers that tune and drive vintage F1 cars from the FIA's 3-litre engine formula of 1966-83. The cars, when not running, will be parked in an open-air garage area in the east parking lot of the Speedway's Hall of Fame museum and can be viewed by the public.

Included in the entry list are an Elf Team Tyrrell car driven by Jackie Stewart during his 1971 World Championship season, as well as the Lotus 79/4 "John Player Special" driven by 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti in his triumphant 1978 World Championship campaign. Cars formerly driven by other Formula One legends, such as Dan Gurney, Jochen Rindt, Graham Hill, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter and others, also will turn laps.

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MEET MONTOYA:

BMW WilliamsF1 driver and 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Montoya will sign autographs from 3-4 p.m. (EST) Sept. 26 on the first floor of Nordstrom department store in downtown Indianapolis.

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SIGN HERE, PLEASE:

2001 Indy Racing Northern Light Series champion Sam Hornish Jr., Kelley Racing driver Mark Dismore and Walker Racing driver Sarah Fisher will sign autographs from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (EST) Sept. 29 in the East Parking Lot of the Hall of Fame Museum.

Porsche Pirelli Supercup drivers will also sign autographs during this time.

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MEET AND GREET:

Antonio Sabato Jr., celebrity spokesperson for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will meet with fans and sign autographs from 11:30 a.m-12:30 p.m. (EST) Sept. 29 in the east parking lot of the Hall of Fame Museum. Sabato is an actor and former model for Calvin Klein.

Text provided by Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.