Toronto Grand Prix 2006 + Ticket Line
TORONTO (November 30, 2005) - Just three weeks after announcing that they had acquired the race rights for the Molson Grand Prix of Toronto (former Molson Indy Toronto), Grand Prix Association of Toronto today kicked-off ticket sales in time for the holiday gift-giving season.
In a media briefing held in downtown Toronto, Champ Car principle Kevin Kalkhoven, who along with partner Gerry Forsythe, acquired the rights for Toronto's Champ Car event on November 3, confirmed that work on the 2006 Grand Prix of Toronto, which will be held July 7, 8 and 9, was well underway.
"As expected, we are fully up and running just a few weeks after acquiring the race rights from Molson," said Kalkhoven. "The Toronto stop on the Champ Car calendar is a significant cornerstone in our schedule and we have been successful in ensuring the transition was seamless. We are committed to making certain that the race maintains its high-profile status in the Toronto market and are confident that we will maximize our consumer marketing outreach for the Toronto event.
"To assist us during this transition period, we have appointed Charlie Johnstone as the interim General Manager. Charlie understands the history of the event and he will be valuable in helping us to continue to move forward over the next few months."
Johnstone, a former Molson executive, also developed consumer-marketing promotions around the NHL, CFL and Toronto Blue Jays.
" Since its inception in 1986 not only has the Toronto event featured the best in international open-wheel racing talent, but has also provided a platform for the sports' developing young drivers who compete in the support events scheduled on race weekend. The 2006 Grand Prix of Toronto will also feature Champ Car's flagship development series, the Champ Car Atlantic Championship." said Kalkhoven.
The Atlantic Series is entering its 33rd year in 2006 and in 15 previous races held in Toronto, a Canadian has finished on the podium each time.
Notable graduates of the Atlantic series include Champ Car drivers, A.J. Allmendinger, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Jimmy Vasser and such Canadians as Alex Tagliani, Andrew Ranger, Jacques Villeneuve, David Empringham, and Patrick Carpentier
"This is the same international event it has been for the last twenty years," added Toronto native Paul Tracy, who won the event in 1993 and 2003 and was also on hand for the media briefing. "It's still one of the drivers' favorite cities to race in and it's still the place I want most to win year after year. This year Champ Car was very competitive, we put on a great show in Toronto and the race brings $30 million dollars into the city. I'm looking forward to being back at Exhibition Place."
"Champ Car is in a very aggressive period right now," added Kalkhoven. "Over the past eighteen months we have been growing our business and strengthening our position as the leading open-wheel racing series in North America. Champ Car and its sponsors earned exceptional dividends in 2005. Overall exposure value for series sponsors totaled $98,241,635 in 2005, a number that was more than eight million dollars higher than 2003 figures despite the fact that the 2003 season featured 22 telecasts as opposed to this season's 13.
"It clearly indicates that our efforts to improve our television package have been successful and that we continue to provide the highest possible value and return on investment for the dollars our sponsors invest. Now is the time to get involved in Champ Car, be it with the series or in Toronto."
The Toronto race is one of three Canadian events on the Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford calendar in 2006.
Tickets for the 2006 Molson Grand Prix of Toronto are now on sale with prices remaining the same as in 2005. Tickets can be ordered by calling 1-877-865-RACE-(7223)
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