L-R: Gene Hallman[president, Zoom Motorsports], Gov. Bob Riley[R-AL], Larry Langford[Mayor, Birmingham, Alabama] and George Barber[President, Barber Motorsports Park]
All the stars of the IndyCar Series will be at Barber Motorsports Park in the spring. Barber Motorsports Park and the Indy Racing League announced a three-year partnership that will bring a race weekend to the scenic venue in suburban Birmingham, Ala., beginning in 2010. The inaugural event will be held April 9-11.
"The Barber Motorsports Park is the finest road track in North America and deserves an event of this caliber and prestige," said Gene Hallman, president of Zoom Motorsports, the racetrack's promoter that will accept a lion's share of the organizing and promotional activities to stage the event. "We were fortunate to have the assistance of both Gov. (Bob) Riley and Mayor (Larry) Langford, both of whom understand the benefits the IndyCar Series bring to our city and state.
"This will be the only IndyCar Series race in the deep South, meaning it is a great tourist draw for the region. Plus, having the automotive world focus on our state enables us to highlight our growing automotive industry."
Representatives from Zoom Motorsports, Barber Motorsports Park and the Indy Racing League -- the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights -- began discussing a partnership after an October compatibility test in 2007.
"We are thrilled to bring the speed and excitement of the IndyCar Series to Barber Motorsports Park, the greater Birmingham area and the state of Alabama," said Terry Angstadt, president of the Indy Racing League's commercial division. "Zoom Motorsports and Barber Motorsports Park have already been outstanding hosts of two previous IndyCar Series tests. The nearly two-year pursuit to bring IndyCar Series racing to Birmingham only reinforces the professionalism and planning put into this by our newest scheduling partner."
A full Open Test for Firestone Indy Lights and the IndyCar Series was held in March - with more than 20,000 spectators in attendance. The 2.38-mile, 17-turn circuit featuring 80 feet of elevation change opened in 2003. "It's a really interesting track," said Dario Franchitti, driver of the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car. "It's a fabulous facility - the way it's built, the way it's kept. The track is a real commitment track, a lot of really, really fast corners."
Tickets will be available in September, with daily capacity limited to 30,000 to enable all spectators the opportunity to experience the race up close. Register for grandstand or general admission tickets at www.barbermotorsports.com. The remainder of the 2010 IndyCar Series schedule will be announced July 31 during the VERSUS qualifying show (6 p.m. EDT) from Kentucky Speedway, with complementary coverage on indycar.com.