Construction has begun on the 1.8-mile temporary circuit that will make up the track for the ninth running of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The transformation of the St. Pete waterfront into an auto racing hotspot will continue through March 20, as the crews work to install the 20 million pounds of reinforced concrete barriers and the 44,000 feet of chain-link fencing that will line the track.
The race marks the beginning of the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series, which will run 19 races over the course of this year. The track is a 14-turn circuit beginning on the main runway of Albert Whitfield Airport, taking a long right onto First Street Southeast from there. The circuit then takes a chicane through the Al Lang Field parking lot, loops around Pioneer Park, heads down Bay Shore Drive and finally takes a hard left onto Dan Wheldon Way to finish the course.
“It’s a tough track,” said Sebastien Bourdais, a driver for Dragon Racing who will be participating in the IZOD IndyCar Series. “Like most street courses it’s bumpy and narrow. The smallest mistake will cost you.”
The Grand Prix consists of five races; four of them (The IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, Pro Mazda Championships, and the USF 2000) race open-wheeled cars. The remaining race, the Pirelli World Challenge, will feature closed-wheeled racing. Not returning to the Prix this year is the Ferrari Challenge.
The event will take place from March 22 until March 24. Students should expect road closures on Bay Shore Drive, Dali Boulevard and Fifth Avenue until the teardown of the track is completed on April 7. Additional road closures occurring the week of the race should be expected on First Street Southeast, First Avenue South, Beach Drive and Central Avenue.
Tickets to the races will range from $20 for a one-day ticket to $135 for grandstand tickets.
Thomas Boyd is photo editor and a staff reporter for The Crow’s Nest. He can be reached at photo@crowsneststpete.com.
Photo by Thomas Boyd.
