Movement under way to bring back Grand Prix of Cleveland
By ELTON ALEXANDER
CLEVELAND — If and when the Grand Prix of Cleveland returns to Burke Lakefront Airport, it could do so as an all-star event of open-wheel auto racing — a unique event featuring an oval race and a street-course race, all in the same weekend.
Talks continue between Cleveland representatives and the Indy Racing League, which expects to announce its 2010 schedule in July, about what role the city will play. Some proposals on the table:
•The IRL wants to put a 1-mile flat oval, with no walls, inside the existing 2.47-mile Burke street course layout and have an oval race.
•One day later, the IRL would hold the traditional 2.47-mile street course race.
•Included with those two races could be other potential wrinkles, which would add up to an All-Star weekend of open-wheel racing.
“We only have one shot at this,” said Mike Lanigan, CEO of MJ Promotions, promoter of the Cleveland race. “We have to do it right.”
What is certain is that the IRL does want Cleveland back on the schedule, and when Cleveland returns, the event needs to be special.
“Conceptually, we think that would be a home run,” said John Lewis, vice president for Indy Racing League development and marketing. “It would give us a chance to give something back to the fans in a region that has had a very significant, successful open-wheel history.”
When the race ended a 25-year run in 2007, it was recognized as not only as one of the fastest street courses in open-wheel racing, but also the most distinctive. The layout had a recognizable first turn and a carousel of four turns at the opposite end of the course that ended in a long straightaway. It was a favorite race for fans and drivers, and at its peak a bonanza weekend for Cleveland hotels and restaurants.
Yet as popular as the race was, it was a financial challenge through the years for the city and the event’s varied promoters. Concerns this time include adding pavement connecting the runways and taxiways at Burke for corners to bring an oval together.
Another key would be finding a good date. The schedule opening right now is Labor Day weekend, but that is already a staple for the Cleveland Air Show. And the Mid-Ohio race, 85 miles away in Lexington, has its traditional race in late July or early August that the IRL does not want to disrupt.