The Indianapolis Motor Speedway says it will hold the United States Grand Prix race on July 2, 2006.
The future of the race at IMS has been in jeopardy after this year's debacle when several of the teams refused to race after a dispute over the safety of Michelin tires. The Speedway and Michelin are giving ticket refunds to fans, who are receiving their checks this month.
Source: Inside INdiana Business
Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005 – The United States Grand Prix will take place Sunday, July 2, 2006 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the seventh consecutive year that the only round of the FIA Formula One World Championship in America will be run at the historic facility.
With the USGP moving two weeks later from its 2005 date on the calendar, the Fourth of July weekend will see the three premier forms of worldwide auto racing competing in the United States on the same weekend. The IRL IndyCar® Series will race at Kansas Speedway the same day as the USGP, while the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competes Saturday night, July 1, at Daytona International Speedway.
“We’re proud to announce that the United States Grand Prix will help create a great weekend of motorsports on American soil,” said Joie Chitwood, president and chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “To have the three major forms of motorsport racing in the U.S. on the same weekend is special.”
Formula One, the world’s most exotic, technically advanced racing series, returned to the United States in 2000 for the first time since 1991. The race has taken place every year since on a 13-turn, 2.605-mile circuit that includes part of the fabled 2.5-mile oval at IMS.
“Preparations for all three of our events begin more than a year in advance,” Chitwood said. “Despite the events that took place during this year’s USGP and the cloud that lingered over the race, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway staff never stopped working on 2006 and promoting Formula One racing in the U.S. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be prepared and is looking forward to the 2006 United States Grand Prix.”
The 2006 race date is subject to final approval by the FIA, which is the sanctioning body for Formula One. Further details about the event schedule will be provided later.
Ticket information is available online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, or by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.