Andretti Green Racing Purchases Grand Prix Of Toronto

Andretti Completes Purchase Of Grand Prix Of Toronto

NOT YET ON THE SCHEDULE: The GLOBE & MAIL's Jennifer Lewington reports Toronto is "not yet on the 2009 schedule" for the new series, but sources said that it will be a "matter of weeks, at most, before Toronto gets the nod" (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/16). In Toronto, Rick Matsumoto writes it is "unlikely that AGR ... would have gone through with the purchase without assurance that Toronto would be on the 2009 list." IRL Exec VP/Communications Fred Nation confirmed that "no formal agreement has been signed with AGR." Nation: "But we certainly look at Toronto as the type of market we'd like to be in." Former Grand Prix of Toronto GM Bob Singleton: "I think they have to focus on energizing the city again, getting some sponsorship and turn the thing into more than a race; make it an event." Matsumoto notes the '09 IndyCar schedule will be released in July (TORONTO STAR, 5/16).

REAX: Also in Toronto, Dave Feschuk writes the race "needs the city more than the city needs the race." Feschuk: "With another smog-warning summer on the yellowing horizon, there's no earth-wise justification for it. ... But if zero-emission entertainment and recreation is the standard, let's quit running those dastardly compressors that suck power from our coal-burning hydro grid to cool so many of our ice rinks year round" (TORONTO STAR, 5/16).

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