The Race of Champions, an international motorsports event, held two days of racing over the weekend at Marlins Park, but ROC Founder & President Fredrik Johnsson "was not committing one way or the other" as to whether the event will return to the ballpark, according to Bill Van Smith of the MIAMI HERALD. Johnsson acknowledged "attendance for the two days at Marlins Park was light." Johnsson: "We definitely have the option to come back. It's difficult to draw people the first time you do something. We will make a decision at a later time, but it's definitely possible." Van Smith noted yesterday's event as "highlighted by an America vs. The World showdown" (
MIAMI HERALD, 1/23). In Ft. Lauderdale, Craig Davis notes the two days of racing "drew a combined 28,618, with the larger crowd of 15,105 on Saturday." Those who attended were "treated to an entertaining and competitive event in a rapid-fire, if sometimes difficult to follow format, on a twisting figure-eight track." The ROC "marked the beginning of a most eventful year for Marlins Park," as sod will arrive from Alabama this week to "restore the surface for baseball in time for the first round of the World Baseball Classic, March 9-13." Meanwhile, Marlins Park Exec VP/Operations & Events Claude Delorme last week "reiterated a desire he has expressed to stage a NHL Winter Classic" (
South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 1/23).
