IMS GETS F1 DATE: The U.S. Grand Prix will be run at
IMS on September 24, 2000, marking F1's return to the U.S.
for the first time since '91. The date "must still be
approved" by F1's governing body, the FIA (TORONTO STAR,
5/11). In Indianapolis, Robin Miller writes that "from a
logical and logistical standpoint, September is a perfect
fit" for the race. IMS VP/Corporate Communications Fred
Nation: "Absolutely, this is the date we wanted. Both from
a weather standpoint and, more importantly, because it comes
after both our events [Brickyard 400 and Indy 500], it's a
great fit" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 5/11).
WINTER WONDERLANDS: VT resort Mount Snow will host the
fourth annual ESPN Winter X Games from February 3-6 in 2000.
Mount Snow, owned by American Skiing Company(ASC), will also
host the 2001 Winter X Games as part of a four-year
agreement between ESPN and ASC that will see the Winter X
Games take place exclusively at ASC resorts (Mount Snow).
...Breckenridge, CO and Mammoth Mountain, CA, are the two
finalists for the inaugural Winter Gravity Games, set to
debut on NBC in 2000 (Advantage).
X GAMES: More than 84,000 people turned out in
Richmond, VA, last weekend for the ESPN X Trials, and Will
Jones wrote that the turnout "far exceeded what local
officials had predicted for the event." The turnout gave
Richmond the "second most successful qualifiers" for the X
Games, with the most successful being last month's X Trials
in Louisville, KY, which drew more than 87,000 people. The
turnout has also "prompted local officials to start thinking
seriously about trying to attract the X Games to Richmond
for 2001 or 2002" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 5/11).
