Honda Grand Prix and Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg

March 12, 12:30 PMTampa Sports Car ExaminerMichael Berenis

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Get ready for IndyCar and American Le Mans street racing action in St. Petersburg, FL. The racing adventure starts on Saturday at 1:20pm with American Le Mans "Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg" on April 4, 2009. Then, the IndyCar event "Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg" starts on Sunday April 5, at 2:00pm. Watch it live on bright house networks "Versus" channel, ESPN, ABC, or listen to it live on XM Radio channel 145. The "Streets of St. Petersburg" race is going to be action packed now that an amazing team is back intact for the first time since 2005. Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Hideki Mutoh and Danica Patrick are expected to rule the track in one of the most historical events in IRL.

In the same area as the races starting the weekend before the event, you can enjoy exotic speed, luxury, yachts, private jets, million dollar watches and more. The "Festivals of Speed" is hosted on March 27-28 in the same area at North Straub Park. A special "Jet Port Reception" takes place Friday night at an elite location within close proximity in an actual jet hanger. This starts March 27 at 8:00pm and will feature exotic cars, time pieces, cigars, wine, food and more until 11:00pm. This is a great way to start the IRL party.

Saturday, March 28 at 9:30am witness over 200 exotic speed boats launch out of the "North Yach Basin" near "North Straub Park". Followed by an elite car show of exotics, classics, and unique vehicles at 2:00pm at North Straub Park. These two events, a week of liesure on St. Pete beach, along with IRL and Le Mans races on April 3-5 is utopia for any car enthusiast. Welcome to the best two weeks in Florida for all sports car enthusiasts.

Free Festivals of Speed & Jet Reception Tickets

There are plenty of exciting events surrounding the historical track "Streets of St. Petersburg" (See schedule here) starting Thursday April 4, 2009. Catch the one hour VIP "Green Flag" luncheon starting at 11:30am. Also starting at 11:30am on Thursday is the "Hot Wheels and High Heels" racing forum.  The Thursday night parade, "St. Petersburg Festival of States Honda Grand Prix Illuminated Night Parade" starts at 7:30 pm. Enjoy an hour of lights, beauty, and speed.

Friday has a drifting exhibition from 12:20-12:45 pm between practice and the air show. The air show starts at 12:45 pm featuring 20 heart pounding minutes of acrobatic stunts, dives, and more. After the air show grab a bite to eat and then hurry over to the autograph booth and get your favorite American Le Mans drivers autograph from 4:30 - 5:30 pm. 

On Saturday, the racing begins with IndyCar practice qualifications at 10:50 am, followed by "Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg" at 1:20 pm. Followed by another air show ,live music, and an IndyCar drivers autograph session. After the Le Mans race and other activities, stick around for forty laps of "Firestone Indy Lights" race.

Sunday morning racing starts bright and early at 10:00 am with another forty laps of "Firestone Indy Lights" racing. Followed by another half hour drifting exhibition starting at 11:30 am, this is sure to stir your sense of speed and kick things off the right way! After the drifiting session, kick back and relax to live music from 12:00 pm until 1:30 pm when the third and final air show begins. Experience another half hour of stunts and acrobatics in the sunny St. Petersburg skies.

Finally, at 2:00 pm on Sunday April 5 the 2009 season opener of the IndyCar Series takes place. This is one historical race you do not want to miss! Take witness to intesnse 100 laps featuring one of the fastest machines known to man. The outcome of the St. Petersburg race will set the mood for the entire season of IRL. This historic race will make history again, will you be there to see it?

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 Video content: Previous "Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg" historical race

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