Politics & Government

Baltimore Grand Prix Canceled for 2014, 2015

Organizers and city officials could not settle on a viable date for the race.

Due to schedule conflicts, the Baltimore Grand Prix will not be held in 2014 or 2015, organizers and city officials announced Friday.

FOX 45 and other outlets first reported the decision Friday afternoon.

Labor Day weekend was unavailable in both years due to a game already scheduled that weekend at M&T Bank Stadium and the American Legion convention at the Baltimore Convention Center in 2015, according to an earlier Baltimore Business Journal report.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said at a press conference Friday that there are "no conversations" yet about a potential 2016 race, according to The Baltimore Sun.

The race's lead partner indicated to the Baltimore Business Journal that his company would not be able to host the race when and if it does return.

“Race On will not be able to participate in hosting the race going forward,” JP Grant said. “Everyone involved in this matter has worked diligently and of good faith to make it happen. We explored every possible option.”

The Sun reported Grant said any restart of the race would be "an uphill battle into the wind."

In a statement to the paper, IndyCar officials lamented the loss of the race for the next two seasons and thanked the city, Race On and Andretti Sports Marketing, which helped run the race.

The race had yet to make a profit in three years. Race On was the third organizer for the race. Baltimore Racing Development shuttered after failing to pay its obligations for the first race. Downforce Racing planned to run the race in 2012, but shuttered due to not meeting contract obligations with Baltimore City.

More than 160,000 turned out for this year's race. Some residents, however, complained about traffic and business disruptions caused by the race, which took over many streets in the downtown area and decried the use of city resources on the race.

The race generated more than $135 million for local businesses on what is typically a slow time for city establishments, according to the Sun report.

What do you think about the decision? Do you think the race could come back in 2016? Tell us in the comments!


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