The IZOD IndyCar Series will compete at the Edmonton City Centre Airport on its previously scheduled date, Sunday, July 24.
Scott Dixon will have the opportunity to defend his victory at the controversy-filled Edmonton
INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights, announced today that it will return to Edmonton, Alberta, after City Council and promoter Octane Motorsports Events, Inc., reached an agreement on providing facility upgrades.
The IZOD IndyCar Series will compete at the Edmonton City Centre Airport on its previously scheduled date, Sunday, July 24. Firestone Indy Lights also will compete on the temporary circuit that weekend.
"We are extremely pleased that the City of Edmonton and Octane were able to reach an agreement to continue our event," said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division, IZOD IndyCar Series. "We have to thank the city, mayor, local businesses and Octane for working together to make this happen and, of course, the fans for pushing for it. We know our fans in Edmonton are looking forward to seeing this race restored and we plan on to deliver a great event for them."
INDYCAR announced Nov. 3, 2010, its intention not return to Edmonton for a fourth consecutive after the City of Edmonton and Octane were unable to reach an agreement on race circuit changes.
Octane sought to retain the 1.96-mile, 14-turn course that incorporated Runway 12-30, but the city moved all air traffic to that runway after closing a companion runway a week after the Honda Indy Edmonton in July. Retaining the circuit, which was repaved before the initial IZOD IndyCar Series race, would close the airport - primarily used for cargo, by the military and private pilots - during the three days of the event.
"We are extremely glad to finally be able to officially invite racing fans to gather in Edmonton on July 22, 23 and 24," said François Dumontier, president of Octane Motorsport Events, Inc. "While it may have taken more time than expected to confirm its return, our group has all intentions to use the next seven months to offer to Edmontonians and Western Canadians the very best motorsports spectacle they've seen since 2005 in Alberta's capital city."
It was also announced that IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights teams will continue preparations for the 2011 season with an Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park on March 14-16.
The IZOD IndyCar Series will compete at the Edmonton City Centre Airport on its previously scheduled date, Sunday, July 24. Firestone Indy Lights also will compete on the temporary circuit that weekend.
"We are extremely pleased that the City of Edmonton and Octane were able to reach an agreement to continue our event," said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division, IZOD IndyCar Series. "We have to thank the city, mayor, local businesses and Octane for working together to make this happen and, of course, the fans for pushing for it. We know our fans in Edmonton are looking forward to seeing this race restored and we plan on to deliver a great event for them."
INDYCAR announced Nov. 3, 2010, its intention not return to Edmonton for a fourth consecutive after the City of Edmonton and Octane were unable to reach an agreement on race circuit changes.
Octane sought to retain the 1.96-mile, 14-turn course that incorporated Runway 12-30, but the city moved all air traffic to that runway after closing a companion runway a week after the Honda Indy Edmonton in July. Retaining the circuit, which was repaved before the initial IZOD IndyCar Series race, would close the airport - primarily used for cargo, by the military and private pilots - during the three days of the event.
"We are extremely glad to finally be able to officially invite racing fans to gather in Edmonton on July 22, 23 and 24," said François Dumontier, president of Octane Motorsport Events, Inc. "While it may have taken more time than expected to confirm its return, our group has all intentions to use the next seven months to offer to Edmontonians and Western Canadians the very best motorsports spectacle they've seen since 2005 in Alberta's capital city."
It was also announced that IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights teams will continue preparations for the 2011 season with an Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park on March 14-16.