Verizon IndyCar Series to Race at Historic Road America in 2016 …

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 8, 2015) – INDYCAR announced today that Road America, the historic permanent road course in Elkhart Lake, Wis., will make its return to the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule in 2016. The event is set for June 24-26 on the 14-turn, 4.048-mile circuit that hosted 25 Indy car races from 1982-2007.

Road America, established in 1955, has featured some of the greatest names in Indy car racing. Legendary drivers Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi each won three times at Road America. Jacques Villeneuve and Paul Tracy were two-time winners on the high-speed course located in the Kettle Moraine area of east-central Wisconsin.

“We know how revered Road America is by our drivers, teams and fans and we’re confident it will be a great event on the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series calendar,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We’re thankful to (Road America president and general manager) George Bruggenthies and his staff for their collaboration in bringing INDYCAR back to one of the most iconic road courses in North America. This event, along with a new street race in Boston, are integral additions for 2016 as our efforts to finalize the entire schedule continue to progress.”

Derrick Walker, INDYCAR President of Competition and Operations, fielded entries at most of the past Road America races as a team owner or manager. Walker visited the track several times during negotiations for the 2016 event and is confident Road America will bring out the best in the present-day Indy cars.

“It’s truly great news that open-wheel racing will be back at Road America,” Walker said. “It’s a classic road course: long, with almost every type of challenging corner. The track is designed to make full use of the natural terrain, which makes for great spectator locations to see the Verizon IndyCar Series at its best. In addition, our cars at Road America with aero kits will showcase some very exciting racing for our fans.”

Roger Penske stated “Road America will be a terrific addition to the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule. We raced there for many years through the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s, and enjoyed great support from the people of Elkhart Lake. The expansion of the schedule is important to building on the successes and growth we have seen in 2015. Road America is a world-class facility that will allow our cars to display the speed and excitement that has come to define this series.”

Mike Hull, Managing Director of Chip Ganassi Racing added: “INDYCAR’s return to Road America is terrific for the fans, Road America and INDYCAR. Road America is an amazing natural terrain and historic four-mile track. It’s a true driver’s racetrack with a large engineering challenge to match the setup to the diversity of very high speed, combined with tight cornering forces. INDYCAR’s innovation and technology will be showcased fully. This is an exciting and genuinely positive partnership announcement.”

In addition to the Verizon IndyCar Series, all three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy will compete on race weekend. Road America officials have been overwhelmed with fan requests for Indy car racing to return to the venerable track, and worked hard with INDYCAR to make it happen.

“We listened to the fans and the local community, and after careful negotiations struck a deal to bring back one of the greatest forms of open-wheel racing ever to grace our beautiful 4-mile road course,” said Bruggenthies. “We have wanted to bring INDYCAR back for quite some time and we knew what it would take to make it work for everyone involved.”

Ten current Verizon IndyCar Series drivers have raced on the circuit before, with Sebastien Bourdais winning the last Indy car race there in 2007 under Champ Car sanction.

“I am really excited to see Road America back on the 2016 Indy car schedule,” said Bourdais, a four-time Indy car champion who currently drives for KVSH Racing. “This place allows our cars to stretch their legs fully and show what the Verizon IndyCar Series is all about. It is our duty toward road racing to continue this tradition and I could not be happier that a new deal got penciled. For me, it is the best racetrack in North America and I have some great memories there, including the win in 2007, and I am looking forward to coming back.”

Fellow drivers Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Juan Pablo Montoya also noted their enthusiasm in returning to the storied race venue.

Said Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing: “Road America is one of the classic tracks in North America. Its long and challenging layout is built for speed and the Indy cars this year have been shattering a lot of track records with the new aero kits. I can’t wait to get back and am glad INDYCAR is expanding the schedule and adding races to the calendar.”

Tony Kanaan, also of Chip Ganassi Racing: “I’m extremely happy to know that Road America will be back on our schedule. It’s one of my favorite road courses in the U.S. – a long, technical and beautiful track. I had a couple of top-five finishes there back in the day, so I’d be happy to race there again and make it to the podium.”

IndyCar points leader and 2015 Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya of Team Penske said: “I have said several times that Road America is the one track in this country that needs to be added to the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule immediately. Elkhart Lake is a racing town. The people there love what we do and they really supported the series when we ran there in the past. It is exciting to see the schedule fill out a bit for 2016. This has been a great year for our series and I am confident that the 2016 season will be as well.”

Hector Rebqaue won the first Indy car race at Road America in 1982. Dario Franchitti holds the track record with a lap of 1 minute, 39.866 seconds (145.924 mph) set in qualifying for the 2000 race.

“The response from our fans has been tremendous,” Bruggenthies added, “and as part of showing our appreciation to them, we are offering a special four-day ticket package that includes garage access, free parking and an event program.”

Visit www.roadamerica.com or call (800) 365-7223 for ticket package information.

Road America is the seventh race date to be confirmed on the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule. Other announced race dates are: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 11-13; Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 15-17; Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, May 12-14; 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, May 29; Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, June 3-5; and Grand Prix of Boston, Sept. 2-4.

Jorge Lorenzo Paces Opening Day at Red Bull Indianapolis GP …

Jorge Lorenzo at speed — Image by Bret Kelley for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Two-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo of Spain paced the field during the first day of MotoGP practice for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Friday, Aug. 7, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner, Lorenzo posted the fastest lap time of the day of 1 minute, 32.860 seconds in the second of two MotoGP practice sessions on the IMS 16-turn, 2.591 miles (4.170 km) road course. Lorenzo also led the best riders in the world during the first MotoGP practice session with a fastest lap of 1:33.654 on his No. 99 Movistar Yamaha bike.

Jorge Lorenzo was fastest of the day at IMS for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix practice — Image by Shawn Gritzmacher

“I’m very positive; very happy with the start of the weekend,” Lorenzo said. “Normally, it’s very important after the long holiday, after a lot of days without riding; it’s very important to feel fast and comfortable on the bike. That’s the way I feel today. Because we didn’t put on the new tire at the end like some of the riders, I think we have half a second or even more and we can improve the bike and get closer to the lap record from last year or even better.”

Not surprisingly, two-time defending world champion Marc Marquez posted the second-fastest times of the day in both MotoGP practice sessions. Marquez rode his famed No. 93 Repsol Honda to a time of 1:33.747 in the first session, and improved to 1:32.863 during the second practice.

Marquez will look to add to his four-year run of perfection at IMS. The Spanish superstar was victorious at IMS in Moto2 in 2011 and 2012, and also posted MotoGP wins at the Racing Capital of the World in 2013 and 2014.

Andrea Dovizioso was third-fastest in both sessions (1:33.871 and 1:33.155) on his Ducati. Italian legend Valentino Rossi, the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP champion who enters this weekend’s action as the MotoGP points leader, had the 10th-fastest lap in the afternoon session.

Owensboro, Kentucky, native and 2006 MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden, who was unable to compete on the reconfigured IMS road course last year due to injury, posted the 16th fastest time of 1:34.397 on his No. 69 Aspar Honda during the second practice session.

“It was the first time I rode the new track, so it definitely has a little bit more flow to it; really nice,” Hayden said. “But it’s just getting some rubber down, because this track hasn’t been used a lot. But the grip for the first day is definitely the best I’ve probably ever seen at Indy.

“The grip level is just more consistent all over the track, which is really nice for the riders. Also the curbs; the curbs are really smooth and got good grip and good feedback. They’ve done a great job.”

Tito Rabat of Spain led Moto2 practice at 1:36.967 on his Kalex, and Danny Kent of Great Britain paced Moto3 practice at 1:41.437 on his Honda.

In MotoAmerica qualifying, Cameron Beaubier took the pole in Superbike with a lap of 1:37.247 on his No. 6 Yamaha, Bobby Fong won the pole in Supersport on his No. 50 Triumph with a lap of 1:39.848 and Jake Gagne was the fastest qualifier in Superstock 1000 on his No. 32 Yamaha in 1:38.421.

Qualifying will begin tomorrow with Moto3 from 12:35-1:15 p.m., followed by the first MotoGP qualifying session from 2:10-2:25 p.m. and the second session from 2:35-2:50 p.m. Moto2 qualifying will be held from 3:05-3:50 p.m. The MotoAmerica Superbike/Stock 1000 Race 1 will take the green flag at 4:15 p.m., followed by the MotoAmerica Supersport Race at 5pm.

2015 Ticket Information: Fans can buy tickets for the 2015 Red Bull Indianapolis GP and apply for tickets to the 2016 Indianapolis 500, Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, the Lilly Diabetes 250 and the Crown Royal Presents the “Your Heroes Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard.

Fans have three quick, convenient methods to buy tickets:
• Online: Visit http://www.ims.com/tickets. Tickets are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• Phone: Call 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
• In Person: Visit the IMS Ticket Office in the IMS Administration Building located at 4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, just east of the roundabout at Crawfordsville Road and 16th Street, between 8am-5pm (ET) Monday through Friday.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are available. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at 866-221-8775 for more information.

Information on parking and camping at IMS events is available at http://www.ims.com/tickets.

Saturday, August 8th, the Day at the Track Schedule …

MotoGP practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Image by Mike Young

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Information about 2015 Red Bull Indianapolis GP activity Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and in greater Indianapolis:

Gates Open — 7am- 6pm

On–Track Schedule

7:50-8:10am — MotoAmerica Supersport Warm Up
9-9:40am — Moto3 Practice 3
9:55-10:40am — MotoGP Practice 3
10:55-11:40am — Moto2 Practice 3
11:55am-12:15pm — MotoAmerica Superbike / Stock 1000 Warm Up
12:35-1:15pm — Moto3 Qualifying
1:30-2pm — Moto GP Practice 4
2:10-2:25pm — MotoGP Qualifying Group 1
2:35-2:50pm — MotoGP Qualifying Group 2
4:15pm — MotoAmerica Superbike / Stock 1000 Race 1 (18 Laps)
5pm — MotoAmerica Supersport Race (16 Laps)

Dani Pedrosa — Image by Chris Owens for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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Off–Track Activities

7am: Public gates open

10am-6pm — Moto Midway, Kids Zone & Vendor Marketplace presented by Westfield Powersports open

10am-6pm — Learn to Ride – Moto Midway

11:20-11:40am — Red Bull Street Freestyle Rider Aaron Colton Stunt Show – Moto Midway

11:40am-Noon — Red Bull Flatland BMX Rider Terry Adams Stunt Show – Moto Midway

11:50am-12:25pm — VIP Village Pit Lane Walk

12:20-12:40pm — Red Bull Street Freestyle Rider Aaron Colton Stunt Show – Moto Midway

12:35-1:15pm — MotoAmerica Dunlop Paddock Autograph Session – MotoAmerica Paddock

12:40-1pm — Red Bull Flatland BMX Rider Terry Adams Stunt Show – Moto Midway

3:20-3:40pm — Red Bull Street Freestyle Rider Aaron Colton Stunt Show – Moto Midway

3:40-4pm — Red Bull Flatland BMX Rider Terry Adams Stunt Show – Moto Midway

Downtown Indy’s Motorcycles on Meridian – Image by Chris Jones

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4pm-Midnight — Motorcycles on Meridian: Motorcyclists will gather in downtown Indianapolis to celebrate the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The event is for people with and without bikes. All are welcome to experience this free event and marvel at the impressive choppers and sport bikes.

6pm — Public gates close

6-6:45pm — Public Pit Lane Walk (*voucher holders only)

TICKETS — $20. Children 12 and under admitted free with adult general admission ticket-holder.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN — 7am (local time). Pedestrian gates open are Gates 1, 1B, 2, 4, 6, 7 Vehicle, 7 South Pedestrian, 10, 10A, 12.

STANDS OPEN — A Stand (as needed GA, Sec. 1-4), B Penthouse (as needed GA, Sec. 1-4), C Stand (as needed GA, Sec. 12-14), E Stand, E Penthouse, H Stand, J Stand (as needed GA, Sec. 1-4), Corner 9 Terrace (Reserved), North Vista Wheelchair (as needed GA, Sec. 21), Northwest Vista (as needed GA, Sec. 1-4), Northwest Vista Deck, Paddock (as needed GA, Sec. 9-18), Paddock Wheelchair, Paddock Penthouse (as needed GA, Sec. 12-24), South Terrace, South Vista (as needed GA, Sec. 1-5, 12-22), South Vista Deck, Southwest Vista (as needed GA, Sec. 19-20), Southwest Vista Deck, Tower Terrace (as needed GA, Sec. 37-40, 79), Tower Terrace Wheelchair (as needed GA, Sec. 37-40), Wheelchair Accessible (Inside), Backstretch Family Mounds, Turn 2 Mounds, Gasoline Alley Roof (Suite GA and Paddock only).

Now on Sale — The 2015 Red Bull Indianapolis GP program is the perfect guide to the weekend of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Its 112 pages include features and driver lineups for MotoGP and MotoAmerica plus box scores from the previous seven runnings of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The program is on sale all weekend around IMS and on shop.ims.com.

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2015 Ticket Information: Fans can buy tickets for the 2015 Red Bull Indianapolis GP and apply for tickets to the 2016 Indianapolis 500, Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Lilly Diabetes 250 and the Crown Royal Presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard.

Fans have three quick, convenient methods to buy tickets:

• Online: Visit www.ims.com/tickets – Tickets are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• Phone: Call 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
• In Person: Visit the IMS Ticket Office in the IMS Administration Building located at 4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, just east of the roundabout at Crawfordsville Road and 16th Street, between 8am-5pm (ET) Monday through Friday.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are available. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at 866-221-8775 for more information.

Information on parking and camping at IMS events is available at www.ims.com/tickets

Celebrating the Motorcycle Culture in Downtown Indianapolis with a flurry of engine roars …

Motorcyclists will gather in downtown Indianapolis on Friday, August 7, from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m., and Saturday, August 8, from 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. to celebrate the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The event is for people with and without bikes. Interested parties with no steel horse of their own are welcome to walk around at this free event and marvel at the impressive choppers and sport bikes.

The entrance for Downtown Indy’s Motorcycles on Meridian presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is through Monument Circle; cyclists enter the route from Monument Circle and continue onto Meridian.

Join the Fun in 2015!

In addition to Downtown Indy’s Motorcycles on Meridian presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, all three days of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP weekend will be jam-packed with exciting activities including:

• All three classes of the MotoGP World Championship will practice, qualify and race.
• Three additional classes of the MotoAmerica series will also practice, qualify and race.
• The highest level of motorcycle racing on the most impressive bikes in the world.
• Many cool scenes and events around town away from the track.