We Are The Champions: Grand Prix Of Houston A Succcess

The Champ Car World Series Grand Prix of Houston at Reliant Park this weekend was “judged a qualified success,” according to Neil Hohlfeld of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Promoters announced 127,729 tickets, including giveaways, were distributed for the three-day event, which included an American Le Mans Series race on Friday, although “they did not estimate how many people attended” the Grand Prix on Saturday. Race promoter Mike Lanigan said that “problems with the layout of the track and the surface” will be fixed before next year’s event, and while the track cost about $2M, Lanigan “indicated he wouldn’t be shy about spending more to improve the race.” Lanigan would not say how much money was lost on the race, but he “considered whatever money was spent to be ‘an investment’ in the future” of the event. Champ Car President Steve Johnson noted Lanigan “pulled this off rather quickly. We just announced it last fall, so let’s wait and see how it turns out after he has a full year to work on some things.” Johnson added that the event was “exactly the way Champ Car wants to market its races, with three days that included a boxing card, beach volleyball, beer gardens, beauty pageants and four races” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/15).