FYI WIRZ: IZOD IndyCar Speed Overtakes Spring in Grand Prix of St. Peterburg

“The World’s Fastest Spring Break Party,” the 2011 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, jump-started on downtown streets and quickly spilled over to runways normally used by aircraft at Albert Whitted Airport today.

Drivers practiced in open-wheel race cars, while fans took in wicked speed under sunny skies in temperate air.

The fast spring event is in its seventh IndyCar year at St. Pete, but the 2011 version seems more spectacular for fans with a full field of 25 cars competing in the first of 17 races for the series, as well as many fan-friendly activities.
      
Tim Ramsberger, vice president and general manager of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, is quick to mention Bright House Speed Zone autograph sessions, interactive simulators, Budweiser Clydesdales, the Red Bull Air Show and drifting demonstrations. 

“The off-track entertainment is as big as the actual racing,” Ramsberger said.

One clear change from last year is the completion of the nearby Salvador Dali Museum with its enhanced grounds which provide fan comfort.

The superbly designed glass building includes thoughtful placement of benches, landscaping and concrete structures between the museum and Mahaffey Theatre where race fans gather.    

So it’s the enchantment factor, defined by Wikipedia as something that delights or captivates, combined with great Florida weather, fan amenities and exciting racing that should create a memorable experience.

Drivers described the 1.8 mile, 14-turn waterfront circuit, which overlooks St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina and utilizes downtown streets and runways at Albert Whitted Airport, as challenging.

It has no banking to help the open-wheel cars negotiate tight turns, so the words of some of the top performers are telling.  
 
FYI WIRZ is the swift presentation of pertinent motorsports topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Quotes are derived from motorsports industry press releases. 

Will Power [No. 12 Verizon Team Penske]

"The Verizon car is good, but you can see the competition is getting closer,” Power said. “Now we just have to manage the gap. I think it will be very tough to get in the Fast Six. It's going to be unbelievably close."

Dario Franchetti: [No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing]

“The Team Target car is pretty good, actually,” Franchetti said. “The driver is a little bit rusty. I'm probably about eight tenths right now. I'm going to go back and work with the guys tonight and see what we can come up with tomorrow."

Helio Castroneves [No. 3 Guidepoint Systems Team Penske]

“It was a good day,” Castroneves said. “We keep improving and keep getting more data from our teammates, Will and Ryan. At least we finished in the top six at the end of the day. We want to keep moving up the time charts and we'll try to keep doing that tomorrow."

Mike Conway [No. 27 Team GoDaddy.com Andretti Autosport]

"The GoDaddy.com car has worked well since we got here,” Conway said. “It's just a case of chipping away at it every day to get some more speed out of it. I think we've got some good things to try. We'll try to do our homework.”

Danica Patrick [No. 7 Team GoDaddy.com Andretti Autosport]

Patrick celebrated her 29th birthday at the track on March 25th, but she was more interested in her results than a party.

“There are so many good drivers that I think once you get into the top tiers of speed, anything can happen,” Patrick said. “It’s hard to get there. For me the goal will be getting out of the first round of qualifying into the top 12.

“It’s always been a track position kind of series on road courses because it’s difficult to pass. Perhaps the new rules, the double-file restarts, maybe things will be different.  Maybe there will be some opportunities to make passing happen, which would be great.”       

Perhaps Patrick’s many fans will provide extra applause to make this birthday weekend more special.

Photo credit: Dwight Drum at Racetake.com.