JohnHKart
10-05-04, 05:05 AM
Woohoo! My uncle lives there so that'd be a nice vacation.
John
Found this on the Speed TV CCWS Board:
City organizers sign contract with Champ Car to host major international event
JOHN SHORT Journal Sports Columnist
EDMONTON
Edmonton is poised to host a major international car race at the City Centre Airport next summer. Tom Doerkson, a former racer who has helped spearhead a three-year effort to secure a race in Edmonton, confirmed on Friday that a local group has signed a contract with Champ Car. The contract calls on Champ Car, once known as CART, to provide drivers (Paul Tracy, Patrick Carpentier, Sebastien Bourdais and the like) vehicles, attendants and crew members for a weekend race at the airport from July 15-17.
“The contracts were signed this morning,” said Doerkson on Friday. “We couldn’t be more pleased.”
In order to secure the deal with Champ Car, an unnamed local businessman has provided a $2-million letter of credit. More money, perhaps as much as $3 million, will be needed to get the race off the ground, said Doerkson. But an investors group is in place “similar to the one that kept the Edmonton Oilers in our city.” Committed and potential investors are expected to meet next week. Some are convinced the economic benefit to Edmonton and area will be $20 to $25 million.
“We’re planning to provide seats for 50,000 to 60,000 spectators, ”Doerkson said, pointing out that three-day events of this type usually draw 150,000 to 180,000 fans. The race wouldbeChampCar’s fourth stop in Canada, along with the Molson Indy races in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
If there’s a caution flag to be waved, however, it would be Molson’s involvement in an Edmonton race. Molson has yet to meet with the Edmonton group to discuss television commitments, title sponsorship arrangements and other issues. A Molson media spokesman, who didn’t want his name used, said no meeting has been scheduled to discuss those issues. And he also rejected the suggestion that the Edmonton race would replace Vancouver on the Molson Indy calendar.
“There was speculation about the future of the Vancouver Indy, including the possibility that it might be moved to Calgary,” he said. “We’ve been aware of those concerns. It’s important to realize no commitment has been made at this point, either to add a race or to change our existing race schedule.”
Molson holds first right of refusal for promotional rights and sponsorship of any Champ Car race in this country. But the Edmonton group has the right to stage an event without the Molson banner.
The race would be contained on a three-kilometre track entirely within the City Centre Airport. Airport spokeswoman Traci Bednard said on Friday that no contract exists between Doerkson’s organization and the airport at this point, “which could simply be a technicality.” She confirmed numerous meetings have taken place and others are certainly possible.
Doerkson said his proposal calls for a three-week period of preparation, but only seven days of serious interference with airport traffic.
It’s been a long road for Doerkson and his colleagues, who had recently failed to convince Northlands Park officials that they should construct a permanent road circuit on the fairgrounds to help attract a Champ Car race to Edmonton. After that setback, Doerkson arranged to meet with Champ Car executive vice-president Joseph Chrnelich in Cleveland during the first week of July and in Montreal in late August.
Doerkson, a big part of the promotional team behind the massive success of the world under-19 women’s soccer championship in Edmonton two years ago, came away from both meetings encouraged. “A lot of hard work went into this project,” he said.
_________________
John
Found this on the Speed TV CCWS Board:
City organizers sign contract with Champ Car to host major international event
JOHN SHORT Journal Sports Columnist
EDMONTON
Edmonton is poised to host a major international car race at the City Centre Airport next summer. Tom Doerkson, a former racer who has helped spearhead a three-year effort to secure a race in Edmonton, confirmed on Friday that a local group has signed a contract with Champ Car. The contract calls on Champ Car, once known as CART, to provide drivers (Paul Tracy, Patrick Carpentier, Sebastien Bourdais and the like) vehicles, attendants and crew members for a weekend race at the airport from July 15-17.
“The contracts were signed this morning,” said Doerkson on Friday. “We couldn’t be more pleased.”
In order to secure the deal with Champ Car, an unnamed local businessman has provided a $2-million letter of credit. More money, perhaps as much as $3 million, will be needed to get the race off the ground, said Doerkson. But an investors group is in place “similar to the one that kept the Edmonton Oilers in our city.” Committed and potential investors are expected to meet next week. Some are convinced the economic benefit to Edmonton and area will be $20 to $25 million.
“We’re planning to provide seats for 50,000 to 60,000 spectators, ”Doerkson said, pointing out that three-day events of this type usually draw 150,000 to 180,000 fans. The race wouldbeChampCar’s fourth stop in Canada, along with the Molson Indy races in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
If there’s a caution flag to be waved, however, it would be Molson’s involvement in an Edmonton race. Molson has yet to meet with the Edmonton group to discuss television commitments, title sponsorship arrangements and other issues. A Molson media spokesman, who didn’t want his name used, said no meeting has been scheduled to discuss those issues. And he also rejected the suggestion that the Edmonton race would replace Vancouver on the Molson Indy calendar.
“There was speculation about the future of the Vancouver Indy, including the possibility that it might be moved to Calgary,” he said. “We’ve been aware of those concerns. It’s important to realize no commitment has been made at this point, either to add a race or to change our existing race schedule.”
Molson holds first right of refusal for promotional rights and sponsorship of any Champ Car race in this country. But the Edmonton group has the right to stage an event without the Molson banner.
The race would be contained on a three-kilometre track entirely within the City Centre Airport. Airport spokeswoman Traci Bednard said on Friday that no contract exists between Doerkson’s organization and the airport at this point, “which could simply be a technicality.” She confirmed numerous meetings have taken place and others are certainly possible.
Doerkson said his proposal calls for a three-week period of preparation, but only seven days of serious interference with airport traffic.
It’s been a long road for Doerkson and his colleagues, who had recently failed to convince Northlands Park officials that they should construct a permanent road circuit on the fairgrounds to help attract a Champ Car race to Edmonton. After that setback, Doerkson arranged to meet with Champ Car executive vice-president Joseph Chrnelich in Cleveland during the first week of July and in Montreal in late August.
Doerkson, a big part of the promotional team behind the massive success of the world under-19 women’s soccer championship in Edmonton two years ago, came away from both meetings encouraged. “A lot of hard work went into this project,” he said.
_________________