The Baltimore Grand Prix announced today that the American Le Mans Series has been added to its inaugural weekend, scheduled for Sept. 2-4, 2011. Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, along with Baltimore Racing Development President Jay Davidson and American Le Mans Series President and CEO, Scott Atherton, officially announced the sports car series will join the IZOD IndyCar Series at the “Festival of Speed” on Labor Day weekend.
“From the beginning, we wanted to create an entire weekend racing experience and the addition of American Le Mans Series does just that,” said Davidson “We've been talking with the series team for a while now and have always wanted them to join the IZOD IndyCar Series to enhance our event. This is a great addition to the weekend and we believe fans will be eager to see these amazing cars in action.”
Baltimore thus takes over one of the two TBA dates on the 10-race calendar the ALMS announced at Road America last month.
“The combination of two premier race series in one location on the same weekend is a rare opportunity for race fans," Atherton said. "We have had outstanding doubleheader successes on street courses such as Long Beach, Houston and St. Petersburg, and I'm confident that the Baltimore Grand Prix will provide more of the same with a stellar backdrop for some of the best road racing on the planet. It will be the place to be next Labor Day weekend.”
Baltimore Racing Development says it expects to attract more than 100,000 people to the area and for the inaugural event. The racetrack will be a two-mile temporary circuit constructed around the streets of downtown Baltimore, including sections by Oriole Park at Camden Yards, West Pratt Street and along the Inner Harbor on Light Street.
“By adding the American Le Mans Series, one of world's leading sports car championships, we are greatly enhancing what is being offered to fans during the Baltimore Grand Prix weekend,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “The American Le Mans Series will attract more racing fans to Baltimore, and will make the grand prix an even greater success for the city.”