2006 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX SPECTATOR INFORMATION
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, June 23, 2006 – Information for spectators attending the United States Grand Prix on June 29-July 2 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
TICKETS:
Reserved seat tickets for the 2006 United States Grand Prix are available and can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY, or at the IMS ticket office located in the Speedway’s Administration Building.
Ticket office hours through Race Day, Sunday, July 2 (all times Eastern, -4 GMT):
•June 26-28: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
•June 29-July 1: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
•July 2: 6 a.m. until just after the start of the race, which is 1 p.m.
Tickets are also available for purchase at the following locations:
•The IMS Photo Shop on the second floor of the Hall of Fame Museum (open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily).
•At IMS Gates 1, 3, 6 and 9 from June 29-July 2. These ticket locations will be open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. June 29, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. June 30-July 1 and from 6 a.m. until just after the start of the USGP on July 2.
•At the Brickyard Authentics stores located at Circle Centre Mall in downtown Indianapolis and the Indianapolis International Airport (during normal business hours).
Reserved seat grandstand tickets starting at $75 remain available, including a very limited number of seats in two exciting locations: outside Turn 6 at the north end of the facility, the Corner 6 Terrace, and between Turns 10 and 11, the Corner 10 Terrace, directly behind the Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum.
The infield grandstand seats are among the closest reserved-seat views among all F1 venues worldwide, providing a vantage point that conveys the intensity of Formula One’s skilled drivers and exotic cars at work. Each person sitting in the reserved seat grandstands must purchase a ticket, regardless of age.
General admission tickets are available for Friday, June 30 for $10 and Saturday, July 1 for $20. A combination general admission ticket for Friday and Saturday is $25, and a “Season Pass” general admission ticket for Friday, Saturday and Sunday is $60. Children ages 5 and younger are admitted into the general admission areas for free.
Reserved Race Day and “Season Pass” ticket holders also are granted free admission to the Pit Walkabout on Thursday, June 29 at the track. The “Season Pass” provides four days of USGP action and fun for only $60, a great value.
PARKING:
•Parking for both automobiles and motorhomes is available at a variety of Speedway lots outside the track. There is limited public parking inside the track during this event, accessible only through Gate 10. To access complete parking information for the United States Grand Prix, contact the Speedway ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY.
•Passenger car parking is $20 per day, or a two-day event parking pass can be purchased in advance for $40. A four-day event parking pass can be purchased in advance for $50.
•Motorhome parking is available for $40 for Race Day only (arriving no earlier than 7 p.m. Saturday, July 1), or a four-day pass is available for Lot 1A, 2 or 3 for $120. Lot 1 is just northwest of the Speedway at the corner of 30th Street and Georgetown Road, Lot 2 is on Georgetown Road across from Gate 6, and Lot 3 is directly across from Gate 2 on 16th Street.
•Parking also is available at private residences, primarily in Indianapolis neighborhoods north of IMS and in the Town of Speedway, west of the track, usually for a fee.
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GATES and SECURITY:
•Public gates are open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Thursday, June 29 through Sunday, July 1 and 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on July 2.
•Fans are encouraged to get to the track early to avoid delays.
•All coolers, backpacks and handbags will be subject to security inspection.
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CAMPING:
•Camping is available in the following Speedway parking lots: Lot 1, located west of the Speedway’s oval Turn 4; Lot 2, located west of Georgetown Road across from Gate 6; Lot 3 Grass, located just southeast of the track across 16th Street from the Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort and Inn; and Lot 4, located across Georgetown Road from Lot 1. Log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or call (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY to make reservations. Camping is not available in the IMS infield.
•Above-ground charcoal and propane-based grills are permitted. Ground fires are strictly prohibited in the designated camping lots.
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COOLERS:
•Coolers are welcome but limited to 14 inches wide by 14 inches long by 14 inches high. This policy will be strictly enforced.
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GLASS CONTAINERS:
•Fans are welcome to bring beverages onto the Speedway grounds, but glass bottles and glass containers are strictly prohibited.
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CAMERAS/CAMCORDERS:
•Photography and personal video equipment (camcorders) are permitted, including during the Pit Walkabout on Thursday, June 29.
INDYGO PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE:
•Fans are encouraged to travel to and from the Speedway on USGP Race Day on the IndyGo public transit services. IndyGo Race Day Shuttle service leaves from the Indianapolis Airport and downtown Indianapolis on a regular basis, offering fast transit to and from the race. More information can be obtained by calling IndyGo at (317) 635-3344 or on the IndyGo Web site, www.indygo.net.
USGP PREVIEW PARTY:
Fans will get a taste of the excitement surrounding Formula One’s return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the USGP Preview Party presented by Bridgestone from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, June 25.
The USGP Preview Party presented by Bridgestone, which is free, will include numerous exciting and fan-friendly entertainment opportunities, including:
•Viewing of the live broadcast of the Canadian Grand Prix on the Speedway’s large-screen video displays from 1-3 p.m.
•Public drive-around on portions of the IMS road course
•Formula One simulators and Bridgestone displays
•Race car displays
•Live music by Living Proof from noon-1 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.
•Free face painting, free fan photos and USGP Grid Girls photo opportunities
The Canadian Grand Prix is the final event on the Formula One World Championship calendar before F1 returns to Indianapolis for the United States Grand Prix on Sunday, July 2.
Key attractions for the USGP Preview Party presented by Bridgestone will be located in the Speedway’s Pagoda Plaza, located behind the Bombardier Pagoda.
The public drive-around will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Participating fans should enter their vehicles through Gate 10, off 30th Street. Fans can drive one lap on the famed IMS oval in a clockwise direction, just as Formula One stars do for a portion of the USGP road course.
Fans also can purchase tickets for the United States Grand Prix at the Preview Party. Representatives from the IMS ticket office will be in the Pagoda Plaza to help fans choose seats.
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PIT WALKABOUT:
Race Day ticket holders have the rare opportunity to get an up-close look at the Formula One pits and enjoy other fan-friendly activities all day during a free USGP Pit Walkabout on Thursday, June 29. Gate 2 (main gate/tunnel on 16th Street) and Gate 7 (located on Georgetown Road) will open to pedestrian and automobile traffic at 7 a.m.
The USGP Pit Walkabout has become a popular attraction since it debuted with great success in 2003. Thousands of Formula One fans will stream onto the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s legendary pit lane to get an up-close view of Formula One cars and team members from 8 a.m.-noon.
A variety of other exciting USGP-related activities also will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Speedway’s Pagoda Plaza, including driver autograph sessions, driver question-and-answer sessions, live entertainment and displays. IMS gift shops and concession stands adjacent to the Pagoda Plaza and the Hall of Fame Museum, and the Formula One team/driver official merchandise trailers, located in the east parking lot of the museum, also will be open all day.
Driver autograph sessions and interactive fan question-and-answer sessions with Formula One drivers will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Pagoda Plaza. SPEED television’s Formula One broadcast team members Bob Varsha, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett will play host to the Q&A sessions, which will take place on the Pagoda Plaza stage.
Drivers scheduled to participate include former Indianapolis 500 winners Juan Pablo Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve, defending World Champion Fernando Alonso, seven-time World Champion and four-time USGP winner Michael Schumacher, rookie sensation Nico Rosberg, Christijan Albers, Jenson Button, Christian Klien, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Franck Montagny, Tiago Monteiro, Takuma Sato, Ralf Schumacher and Mark Webber.
Face painting, IMS Hall of Fame Museum cars on display, photo opportunities with the USGP’s popular Grid Girls, a Bridgestone display featuring a Michael Schumacher Ferrari race car and two F1 racing simulators, and live music by Josh Holmes from 3-4 p.m. are among the many other attractions planned for the Pit Walkabout.
United States Grand Prix ticket holders must display their race ticket for admission to the walkabout. No separate walkabout passes will be issued.
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GATE HANDOUT:
The 2006 United States Grand Prix Gate Handout, which is free, will be available at all IMS public gates, the IMS ticket office, credential office, the IMS Hall of Fame Museum and all Guest Services kiosks.
The gate handout features a detailed schedule of events for the entire USGP weekend, plus a map of the IMS grounds highlighting gate and grandstand locations, and amenities.
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IN THE COMMUNITY:
“Grand Week” in Indianapolis:
Indianapolis will be alive with numerous cultural events June 28-July 1, leading up to the United States Grand Prix. A full range of activities and social events are planned as part of the “Grand Week in Indy, presented by Michelin,” celebrating the seventh running of the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis. A number of musical and theatrical productions, plus art, zoological and museum exhibits are ongoing around the metropolitan area. For a complete list of activities, visit the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association’s Web site, www.indy.org.
“Grand Week in Indy, presented by Michelin” Kickoff Event at Monument Circle
•11 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday, June 28. The official kick-off of “Grand Week” in Indianapolis events, featuring a parade of vintage cars, USGP Grid Girls, live music from the INergy band and food.
Concerts on the Canal – Cool City Swing:
•6 p.m. Thursday, June 29 at Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. Enjoy smooth and swinging jazz with vocals by the popular Shannon Forsell and the legendary Jimmy Guilford. Admission is free. Visit www.indianahistory.org for details.
“Dreamgirls”
•Enjoy the Madame Walker Theatre’s presentation of “Dreamgirls” nightly at 7:30 p.m. on June 29-July 2. The theatre is located at 617 Indiana Ave. in downtown Indianapolis. Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the theatre box office at (317) 236-2099.
“Grand Week” Car Cruises and Gathering of Ferraris – Bigger in 2006:
•The Grand Week in Indy Car Cruises in downtown Indianapolis will feature some of the world’s fastest and most exotic street automobiles. Due to the popularity of the car cruises during USGP weekend, two additional cruises have been added for 2006.
Car brands included in the “Grand Week” cruises are Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Lotus, Corvette, Porsche, Jaguar, Mini Cooper and Miata, plus a mix of other vintage automobiles. Car cruises will take place between 3:30-7:45 p.m. Friday, June 30 and 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Most cruises will start and end at the Indianapolis Zoo parking lot, traversing downtown in the process.
The Ferrari cruise June 30 will start at the Zoo at 3:30 p.m. and end at Monument Circle. This cruise will lead into the Ferrari Club of America’s “A Gathering of Ferraris” display from 4-8 p.m. at Monument Circle.
USGP Car Corral:
•Visitors to IMS during USGP activities Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2 also can view dozens of exotic vehicles up-close at the IMS Car Corral from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 30-July 1 and from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. on Race Day, Sunday, July 2.
The corral will be located on the backstretch of the Speedway’s famous 2.5-mile oval.
Chrysler Indianapolis Concours GP
•More than 150 cars, including antique automobiles, muscle cars, prototypes and exotic sports and race cars, will gather on Monument Circle from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, July 1, with additional music and entertainment provided. Admission is free.
USAC double-header at O’Reilly Raceway Park
•The Toyota USAC Racing Classic, presented by Comfort Suites of Brownsburg, will take place at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis (formerly Indianapolis Raceway Park) Saturday, July 1 with a USAC Midget and Sprint car double-header.
This will mark the first time since 2001 that the track has played host to a twin USAC bill. Contact O’Reilly Raceway Park at (317) 291-4090 for details or log on to www.oreillyracewaypark.com.
Patriotic Pops and Fireworks at Marsh Symphony on the Prairie
•Hear traditional patriotic favorites such as Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” and “Yankee Doodle” on the evenings of July 1-4. It all starts with “The Star Spangled Banner” and ends with fireworks.
Symphony on the Prairie takes place at Conner Prairie, located just northeast of Indianapolis in Fishers, Ind., on Allisonville Road 6 miles north of Interstate 465. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. For information, contact the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at (800) 366-8457 or log on to www.indianapolissymphony.org.
