Grand Prix Americas Brings Thrill Of Auto Racing To Downtown Miami

MIAMI, Oct. 2, 2002; -- Just as the roar of auto racing was dissipating from the streets of Miami, Grand Prix Americas announces, "Racing is back in downtown Miami." Auto racing will make its triumphant return to downtown Miami, October 4-6.

Grand Prix Americas will be a historic event as it brings together two of North America's premier road racing series for the first time ever. Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) FedEx Championship Series will join the Cadillac American Le Mans Challenge promoting a "dual-headline" that will make the Grand Prix Americas weekend one of the foremost motorsports weekend of the year.

"It's been seven years since racing has taken place in Miami," said Chuck M. Martinez, president and general manager, Grand Prix Americas. "With the 'Trifecta' of CART, Le Mans and Trans-Am Series races, we are putting together an unprecedented, first-class event that will showcase Miami to the world."

"This is a historic weekend for both the motorsports industry and the city of Miami," said co-founder Peter Yanowitch of Raceworks LLC. "We're all very excited to offer the fans of South Florida a mega weekend filled with racing and entertainment."

Twelve teams from the CART FedEx Championship Series will race for the title on Sunday with name drivers such as Cristiano da Matta, Christian Fittipaldi, Tony Kanaan, and Dario Franchitti behind the wheel. The American Le Mans Series' will see more than 35 teams rev up their engines, as Stefan Johansson, Milka Duno, Ron Fellows and Bryan Herta go head-to-head for Saturday's title.

The 1.57-mile race circuit will reach speeds of more than 180 mph making its way through Bayfront Park, Biscayne Boulevard and downtown streets. The world-class racing event will not only feature the CART FedEx Championship Series and the Cadillac American Le Mans Challenge but also the Trans-Am for the BF Goodrich Tires Cup Races.

The high-voltage auto street race, dubbed "The Blast by the Bay," will feature three days of exciting street racing, concerts by 2002 Grammy Award winner, Train and 2002 Latin Grammy Award winner Nestor Torres and parties Grand Marshaled by Hispanic TV star and model, Sofia Vergara. Fans will have the opportunity to meet world famous drivers by attending several autograph sessions held throughout the weekend.

Grand Prix Americas is owned by Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) and Raceworks, LLC. It will be held in Downtown Miami at Bayfront Park in agreement with the City of Miami, the Bayfront Park Management Trust and the Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority. The festive weekend will feature various concerts and social events and will culminate in the three races, CART FedEx Championship Series, Cadillac American Le Mans Challenge and Trans-Am for the BF Goodrich Cup.

For more information on Grand Prix Americas, call (305) 533-1033. For ticket information, call (305) 373-3333 or visit www.miamirace.com.