Champ Car Series Unable To Return To St Petersburg

[RaceTime]

Statement from OWR's

Champ Car World Series Unable To Return To St. Petersburg in 2004

INDIANAPOLIS (February 25, 2004) - Officials with the Champ Car World Series
("Series") and the City of St. Petersburg regretfully announced Wednesday
that, despite their best efforts, they were not able to complete
negotiations to acquire the rights to hold the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Open Wheel Racing Series, LLC ("Champ Car") attempted to acquire the rights
to the race from the owner, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, Inc.
("GPA"), a subsidiary of Dover Motorsports, Inc. However, Champ Car and the
city could not proceed with plans for a race without the consent of former
rights holder Tom Begley, due to a transaction between Begley and 2003 race
promoter GPA. When a successful resolution of the matter between GPA and
Begley could not be reached, despite repeated entreaties from the City of
St. Petersburg as well as Champ Car officials, the Series was left with no
choice but to leave St. Petersburg off the soon-to-be-released 2004
schedule.

"Champ Car worked very hard to hold the St. Petersburg race in 2004. The
City of St. Petersburg, under the leadership of Mayor Rick Baker, provided
phenomenal support as we tried to reach an agreement to hold the race,"
Champ Car President Dick Eidswick said. "Unfortunately, individuals
unrelated to Champ Car kept that from happening, which is a disappointment
not only to our drivers and teams, but more importantly to the many Champ
Car fans throughout the Southeast.

"The success of last year's race makes this outcome even more of a
disappointment," continued Eidswick. "We were looking to build on that
success and all parties worked around the clock for the last two weeks in
trying to work out a resolution to include the race on our 2004 schedule.
The drivers called it one of the most enjoyable street courses on the
circuit and the great fan support was a key factor in our desire to hold the
event. While we regret that we can not race in St. Petersburg in 2004, we
are hopeful about the possibility of returning in the future, if
circumstances allow."

[RaceTime]

Stetement received from Mayor of St Petersburg:

St. Petersburg, Fla. (February 25, 2003) - Mayor Rick Baker expressed the
city's disappointment upon hearing that Champ Car was unable to secure the
rights to conduct a race in St. Petersburg in 2004:

"It is unfortunate that St. Petersburg will not be included this year in the Champ Car World Series despite repeated attempts made by Open Wheel Racing Series to make the race happen," said Mayor Baker. "St. Petersburg has demonstrated it can host a successful street racing event along its world class waterfront. The terrific fan support from the 2003 race uniquely positions the city for a return of Champ Car racing in the near future. I am pleased that Champ Car continues to express a desire to return a race to St. Petersburg."

[codename_47]

A crying shame.....but I guess it's time to move on.

Lets all look forward to hopefully opening 2005's Champ Car series there, if possible...:confused:

[macdaddy]

I'd like to hold a dinner party. I'll invite each and every one of you, and I'd invite Begley.

Then I'd lock the doors and pull the shades.

[gttouring]

true poor move on the courts and the litigous society of the US these days, the rights sold to whom? who cares, a new group and a new race everyone can get paid, but they have to stall the race nee-cancel it because some goon had a problem with a brankrupt organization? If begley had a problem with Wrigley field or Fenway park i bet the courts would let the suit go on but wouldn't stop baseball from happening there, until resoved the game would go on. Which is what should happen here. what a HOrsesRear

[Tailwind]

Oh that bites.

I sure hope they can get the issues resolved for 2005. I'd really like to see it back on the schedule.