Infield seating to be added for 2004 US GP

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003 -- The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will offer Formula One fans up-close seating for the 2004 United States Grand Prix with new bleacher seating located in the infield of the 2.605-mile road course.

The new reserved-seat bleachers will be placed in two locations: outside Turn 6 at the north end of the facility, and between Turns 10 and 11, directly behind the Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum. For 2004, the United States Grand Prix is taking place on a new weekend: June 18-20.

USGP spectators who purchase an infield bleacher seat for 2004 will have one of the closest views among all F1 venues worldwide of Formula One's exotic cars and skilled drivers at work. The front of the Turn 6 bleachers will be approximately 50 yards from the edge of the track, and the Turn 10 bleachers will be closer.

The Speedway's grass-covered infield viewing mounds, which provide a general-admission, standing-room-only view during the United States Grand Prix, have been a big hit with fans due to their close proximity to the track. According to Joie Chitwood, senior vice president of business affairs for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the track is adding bleachers beginning in 2004 to meet customer demand and provide the public with more seating options.

"Our new bleacher seats are for the fans who prefer the luxury of reserved seats over the standing-room-only format of the viewing mounds," Chitwood said. "Given the fantastic view available from the seats, we are confident that they will be a big hit."

The north-end bleacher seating will provide fans with a spectacular view as cars negotiate Turns 1 through 7 before entering the high-speed backstretch, and the seating adjacent to Turn 10 will allow fans to watch the cars decelerate rapidly from the backstretch, negotiate the tricky "S" consisting of Turns 8, 9 and 10, pick up speed through Turn 11 and then put the throttle to the floor for the oval portion of the road course.

Chitwood stressed the new seating will not impede the sightlines for fans enjoying USGP activities from the existing viewing mounds.

A reserved infield bleacher seat for the 2004 United States Grand Prix will cost $85. Fans seeking information on United States Grand Prix tickets can log on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or contact the Speedway's ticket office at (800) 822-INDY. Local and international callers should call (317) 492-6700.

The 2003 United States Grand Prix is scheduled for Sept. 26-28. The current F1 season has been one of the most competitive in recent memory, and the championship could be decided at Indianapolis.

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