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Baltimore Grand Prix

Friday, March 22, 2013

Scheduling Conflict Forces Ravens To Open Away

The Orioles are scheduled to start a series in Baltimore with the Chicago White Sox on the day the NFL wanted to start its season.

Despite efforts on all sides to make an Orioles and Ravens doubleheader happen on Sept. 5, the Super Bowl champions will now open their season on the road. In the last few years, the Super Bowl champions have been granted the privilege of opening the season in prime time at home on Thursday. But because of a conflict with a previously scheduled O’s game the Ravens will now open on the road.  Both Baltimore teams released statements to the media praising each other for their cooperation in trying to overcome the conflict. The games would also be coming on the heels of the city hosting the third Baltimore Grand Prix from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. Ravens Statement from President Dick Cass: "After thorough discussions among the Orioles, the NFL and …

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Meet Racer Marco Andretti in Timonium

The IndyCar driver will be at a local supermarket to promote the upcoming Baltimore Grand Prix.

Before roaring through the streets of Baltimore, one IndyCar racer will be making a pit stop at a Timonium supermarket to sign autographs and promote the second annual Baltimore Grand Prix.  IndyCar Series driver Marco Andretti will be at the Timonium Giant Food store on Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. Andretti will sign autographs and meet with fans, while Giant—a Grand Prix sponsor—will raffle off 10 pairs of tickets.  Andretti is the third in the line of Indy racing legends Michael Andretti (father) and Mario Andretti (grandfather).  Marco drivers the #26 Dr Pepper TEN IndyCar for Andretti Autosport. He is currently ranked 15th in the IZOD IndyCar Series with 227 points, and zero wins.  Follow Marco on Twitter.  The Grand Prix is …

Thursday, May 17, 2012

McDonough: Inner Harbor Terrorized by 'Black Youth Mobs'

Baltimore County Republican calls for State Police patrols and to declare tourist area "a no travel zone."

The Inner Harbor area of Baltimore City is being terrorized by "black youth mobs" and city and state officials are "covering it up," according to one Baltimore County Republican. "This has been going on for years," said Del. Pat McDonough, a Middle River Republican who also represents part of Harford County. "I have a responsibility as an elected official to bring this to the public's attention," the delegate said, adding that "roving mobs of black youth are responsible for the attacks." A spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake declined to comment directly to McDonough's remarks. "Del. McDonough's sad and racially-charged publicity stunt is not deserving of a response and Mayor Rawlings-Blake is proud of the men and women of the …

Comment_arrow

Baltimorecityofanimals

6:30 am on Friday, March 22, 2013

Words of wisdom. The city's residents are animals.   more ›

Friday, May 4, 2012

Readers Sound Off on Grand Prix Replacement

Patch readers talk about what they would like to see replace the Baltimore Grand Prix if it fails.

A F James MacArthur A bicycle criterium race series would bring lots of excitement, athletes of all abilities, and could be pulled of for a scant fraction of the price tag. Take a hint from the Baltimore Running Festival/Baltimore Marathon. What started as a simple marathon is now a huge, nationally acclaimed, world renown, destination running event. Of course from the start, the event involved minimal tax payer dollars and is largely self funded by sponsors and entry fees. People forget the Tour De France has been a huge successful bike race for 99 years now. Bike racing is big & growing, if done right. Rob Bennett Combine this with a ciclovìa and I think you'd have a very popular event. Christian Baltimore has so much positive that it …

Jodie Zisow

10:04 am on Friday, May 4, 2012

i like the bike race/ Cyclovia idea. add to that a Skate Marathon! close off many streets down around the downtown neighborhoods and make it a big festival with music and food etc. ooh- or a Circus Arts convention.   more ›

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

You Tell Us: What Event Should Promote Baltimore?

If the Baltimore Grand Prix fails, Patch wants to know what our readers think the city should do next to attract positive attention.

The Baltimore Grand Prix can’t stop hitting speed bumps. News continues to trickle out about dysfunction with race organizers. Many residents are angry about the money and effort put into the race. Others see it as a vanity project of the city’s political leaders. But the race does draw some positive attention and visitors to a city that could use some decent public relations. So Patch wants our readers to suggest events that they believe could take the Baltimore Grand Prix’s place. What event should promote Baltimore? Tell us in comments.

Mindy Lee

5:23 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012

Baltimore City is a college town and the Monumental City. Stop and count the various types of educational institutions: Johns Hopkins, Loyola, Peabody Institute, Maryland Institute of Art, Morgan State University, Coppin State University, etc. What city in the country have that many colleges with so many disciplines. Even if the Grand Prix does well, its colleges should be promoted. Why is it …   more ›

Friday, February 17, 2012

Readers Sound Off On New Grand Prix Deal

Patch readers have their say on a new five year deal for the Baltimore Grand Prix.

Reader Comments Mi Letts This thing brings nothing but misery to the residents of Baltimore who put up with it for 3 months, the folks who come for a weekend get a kick out of it. Show me the money? Fail. ralahinn1 I missed the last one, I'd like to see one, but only if the venue is handled better than the last one was. If there are any mistakes with the new group, just cancel the events in the future. Nicholas Bagg The event was fun, but a huge hassle to be in Baltimore all summer. Even with the new group running the show, I don't believe it will be profitable. IamGayle It will definitely be profitable to those who are in line in receive the profits, it's just not going to be any of us. Jack can write an op-ed in The BS saying he no …

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

You Tell Us: Will the New Grand Prix Agreement Work?

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced an agreement to keep the Baltimore Grand Prix in place through 2016.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced a new five-year agreement with Downforce Racing to keep IndyCar and American Le Mans racing in Baltimore during Labor Day weekend through 2016. The deal is subject to a review period and the Board of Estimates will vote on whether or not to approve the contract on Feb. 22, according to a news release. Last year's Baltimore Grand Prix was the first event held in the city. The races—which were held on downtown streets—drew thousands of spectators. “Last year’s racing event generated $47 million in economic impact for Baltimore and proved very valuable in terms of positive media exposure for our city. We have worked hard to learn from past experiences to ensure that this new agreement is in the …

IamGayle

9:13 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012

And if the Board of Estimates votes YES on this, we KNOW it's NOT a good 'deal' for the taxpayers.   more ›

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

You Tell Us: What Will Happen to the Baltimore Grand Prix?

Patch wants to know what our readers think about the latest controversy regarding the Baltimore Grand Prix.

Baltimore City is threatening to end its contract with the organizer of the Baltimore Grand Prix if it does not pay the $1.5 million it owes the city. Kaliope Parthemos, deputy mayor for Economic and Neighborhood Development, threatened to end the city’s contract with Baltimore Racing Development if the company isn't able to pay all debts and taxes owed by the end of the year. In a statement, Parthemos also praised the event for generating $47 million in economic impact, generating positive media exposure and civic pride.

Tom Kiefaber

12:02 pm on Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Grand Prix can hopefully be salvaged from the financial wreckage our inept, sophomoric leadership has thrown in our broke-ass laps in Baltimore City. The inept sophomoric political leadership that was just elected, without citizen mandate, to unfortunately flush us all further down the drain of budget deficits, and mounting challenges our mayor and city council are ill-equipped to overcome. …   more ›

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