GRAND PRIX OF HOUSTON TO RETURN IN 2006 Spectacular three days and nights of speed and entertainment to be held at new Reliant park location
HOUSTON, Nov 9, 2005 – Officials announced today that the Grand Prix of Houston will return to Space City USA during a thrilling weekend that will feature an unprecedented combination of racing and entertainment. The three-day event, which will culminate on Saturday night with a marquee race that is part of the 2006 Bridgestone Presents Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford, will be held on May 11 – 13, 2006 at Reliant Park.
“We are thrilled to be returning to Houston,” said Michael T. Lanigan, Chairman and CEO of the Grand Prix of Houston. “Houston is truly a world-class, international city, and we are proud to be bringing the best drivers in the world to showcase their talents in the city.”
The Grand Prix of Houston, which enjoyed tremendous success from 1998 – 2001 before a five-year hiatus, will feature the best of the past with a number of new elements that promise to elevate the event to the next level. The new location at Reliant Park will create an atmosphere that is more fan-friendly than ever, with the venue’s spacious, state-of-the-art facilities providing exceptional parking, hospitality, and fan enjoyment. The vast 345 acre facility will also allow for an ideal track layout, with fast straightaways and hair-pin turns that will optimize the experience for the fans and drivers alike. The top racing events of the weekend will be held at night under the lights of Reliant Park, making the Grand Prix of Houston the first night race on a street course in Champ Car history.
The weekend will kick off on Thursday, May 11 with practice events that will be open for the enjoyment of ticket holders. New for 2006 will be the Lone Star Grand Prix, which is scheduled for the night of Friday, May 12. The Lone Star Grand Prix is part of the American Le Mans Series of car endurance racing events patterned after the world-famous “24 hours of Le Mans”, and will feature multi-class racing in cars such as Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Porches. The weekend’s main event will take place at night on Saturday, May 13, when the exotic, high-speed, open-wheel cars of Champ Car take to the track for the Grand Prix of Houston. Never before have two world-class series like Champ Car and American Le Mans raced together on the same weekend at the same location, so Houston is in for an unforgettable weekend.
The Grand Prix of Houston also promises fans an event that will be more than just racing. In addition to the marquee racing events each evening, organizers are planning a festival atmosphere that will include numerous attractions such as live music, exhibits, and sporting events. Chuck Kosich, General Manager, commented, “The Grand Prix of Houston will be an amazing three days of speed and entertainment that will energize the City of Houston. We’ll have a festival of fun and excitement to give fans of all ages an unforgettable experience.”
With the new location at Reliant Park, the addition of the American Le Mans Series, and the commitment to a multi-faceted fan experience, the 2006 Grand Prix of Houston promises to give the City of Houston a world-class event to look forward to each year. “We are taking the best elements of the past and adding more race programming and other fan-friendly activities to our event,” said Chuck Kosich, General Manager of the Grand Prix of Houston. “We are confident that this will be one of the most exciting weekends in motorsports next year.”
The Grand Prix of Houston
1111 Bagby, Suite 1950 | Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713-659-RACE | info@grandprixofhouston.com
acrossley@grandprixofhouston.com