The proposed Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Grand Prix, which would feature the IZOD IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series, is hoping to gain a major piece of funding this afternoon. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, commissioners in Broward County, Florida will decide today upon approving hotel-tax funds that would help promote the street race.
The Sun-Sentinel passes along word from the race’s promoters, Andretti Sports Marketing, that attendance could top 120,000 for the weekend and an economic impact of $70 million+ could be had. Fort Lauderdale and the South Florida market have been on INDYCAR’s radar for some time now; the series last raced in the region in 2010 at the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, who currently lives in Fort Lauderdale, has been pushing for a race in his hometown, telling the Sun-Sentinel last month that such an event “could be the crown jewel of the series behind the Indy 500.” But there are several hurdles in the way, including a potential date conflict with a major boat show in the city.
