Category: Things To Do

What is Grand Prix?

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (referred to colloquially as the “Monaco of IndyCar”) is an IndyCar Series race held in St. Petersburg, Florida. In most years since 2009, the race has served as the season opener (or at minimum, the first race held on U.S. soil).^[1] The race is held annually in the spring, with the exception of 2020, when it was postponed until October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The race takes place on a temporary course, utilizing downtown streets, and one runway of Albert Whitted Airport. The event dates back to 1985, with IndyCars first competing in 2003.

What is Grand Prix’s hisotry?

The inaugural 1985 event was organized by William T. McVey, president of the McBri Corporation in Tampa and a member of IMSA and the SCCA. The SCCA Trans-Am Series held a race on a St. Petersburg downtown waterfront circuit from 1985 to 1990. Can-Am also competed in 1985. Local residents and businesses complained about noise, and the event was eventually put on hiatus. Driver Jim Fitzgerald was killed in a crash during the 1987 race.^[4][5]

From 1996 to 1997, the St. Petersburg race was revived on a different course around Tropicana Field (about one mile west of the original waterfront course). Along with the Trans-Am Series, support races included U.S. FF2000, World Challenge, Pro SRF and Barber Dodge. The event subsequently went again on hiatus for several years.^[3]

In 2003, the event was revived again for the Champ Car World Series. A new, modified version of the original 1985 waterfront circuit was created.

For 2004, the event was cancelled due to a dispute between the promoters, furthermore, the bankruptcy and liquidation of the CART series into the new Champ Car World Series saw a shakeup of the calendar. When the race returned in 2005, it switched to the IndyCar Series, marking the first non-oval event for the Indy Racing League. In 2007, the race weekend was expanded to include an American Le Mans Series event.

Andretti Green Promotions would later take over promotion of the event.^[6] Starting in 2014, Firestone took over as title sponsor.

Official site: 

https://www.gpstpete.com/

When? March 8-10, 2024

We have tons of holiday activities in Tampa Bay area:

• Enchant Christmas Village, November 24 – December 31, 2023 in Tropicana Field 
• December 8, 6:30pm, South Pasadena Lighted Boat Parade. Kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on the northeast side of Pasadena Isle, just outside Marine Max St. Petersburg, then follows the coastline of South Pasadena, going under the Corey Causeway Bridge, then through the inlets near Harbourside Condominiums and Bay Island Condominiums, ending behind Causeway Village and The Fountains. There’s a viewing party at Barbara Gilberg Habitat, 1600 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg.
• December 9, 6pm, Festival of Lights Boat Parade, Madeira Beach.  Madeira Beach’s 57th annual lighted boat parade begins at the American Legion Post 273, travels all the finger canals through the city and ends at John’s Pass
• December 9, 6pm Clearwater Yacht Club Annual Holiday Boat Parade. The annual Clearwater Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade can be seen from waterfront restaurants and hotels. The parade launches just north of the Mandalay channel bridge, following its traditional route heading north, and boats will be judged as they pass by the Clearwater Yacht Club. Cash, trophies, and prizes will be awarded for several categories, including a grand prize. 
• December 16 6pm, Treasure Island Holiday Boat Parade. FUSION Viewing Party 5-9pm
• December 23, 6pm, Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in Tampa,  Tampa Riverwalk
• December 24, 6-7pm , St. Petersburg Pier
• December 2-31, Checkout shows and events at Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater (400 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL). Shows include “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, “a Very Broadway Christmas”, The Illusionists – Magic of Holidays, Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, and more!
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