International audiences have watched Formula 1 (F1) races held on the streets of cities like Monaco, Melbourne and Sao Palo for many years. Aside from the Indy 500 (which is not run on city streets) the US East Coast has never been on the Grand Prix or F1 race circuit. The closest race on the F1 circuit is in Montreal, Canada.
I grew up in Detroit during the golden era of the Detroit Grand Prix. The era was a great time to be a youth in Detroit. Although, I could not afford the tickets to the race the fact that it was being run on the streets of city of Detroit, was a democratizing factor that allowed me and my friends to be a part of the race experience. I remember sneaking around the track and scouting for free vantage points on top of dumpsters or ledges of concrete walls of parking structures days before the race. Once we located the perfect spot, hopefully, near a curve or straightaway…On race day we had to get there before someone else got it. I remember watching legends like Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna ( Lotus Renault Turbo JPS ) and Nigel Mansell (Williams Honda Turbo )!! It was a blast!

Check out some Footage of the Detroit Grand Prix (VIDEO)
On race days I had a ball watching droves of exotic cars driven by the elite international fans converge on the city. And one of the most unique and defining things was feeling the deafening roar of the Indy car engines in my stomach as the sound waves bounced off the urban landscape during the race. Those were some of the best times of my life and they created a love for cars, motorcycles and car culture that has stayed with me to this day. As as a video production professional I have been offered jobs shooting and producing motorcycle stunt videos to crafting training videos for BMW because of my in-depth knowledge of motorsports.
If you are a race fan or even if have never visited a track take the opportunity to experience the only Grand Prix Race in a US city, the Baltimore Grand Prix. Racing on city streets is this is the purist form of racing because it is done off of artificial tracks that were purpose built for racing. The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix will even more of a treat because it will be a level playing field that none of the drivers has ever experienced.


The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix (VIDEO) is scheduled for Friday, September 2 through Sunday, September 4, 2011. The race will encompass a 2.0 mile street circuit traveling through the heart of Baltimore’s Downtown, rushing past the scenic Inner Harbor and racing around Camden Yards. This temporary circuit will wind through the streets of downtown Baltimore and it is great to hear owners are providing $100,000 in funds to beautify the streetscapes of communities near the race.

“We wanted to find a unique way to thank these communities for their support of the Baltimore Grand Prix and since they serve as the gateway to the circuit area we felt it would be beneficial for all to create a community fund that could be used to enhance and beautify the adjacent areas,” said Baltimore Grand Prix President and CEO Jay Davidson. “100% of this fund is paid directly by the owners and organizers of the Baltimore Grand Prix and serves as our public commitment that we have to not only bring this event to Baltimore but to ensure that all the communities in the area benefit from the Baltimore Grand Prix (VIDEO).”

The race is expected to generate an estimated $60 to $100 million into the local economy through race organizers, track construction and race fan attendance during the event weekend. The race weekend will feature a spectacular combination of world class racing and festivities, highlighted by the American Le Mans Series presented by Patron and the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Tickets for the Baltimore Grand Prix are available online at www.baltimoregrandprix.com or by phone at 877-U4U-FLY-UTIX.