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Historic Grand Prix Added to April’s Vegas GP
Written by: Kevin Krefting   
11/14/2006
Las Vegas, Nev.
 
Returning to Vegas 26 years after its triumph, Alan Jones' Williams will be among the historic cars racing in Vegas next April - on the streets this time rather than a parking lot. (LAT photo) » More Photos

Vegas Grand Prix announced today that the Historic Grand Prix (HGP) will open its season at the inaugural Vegas Grand Prix, April 6-8, 2007. Currently scheduled to race in the historic event are former open-wheel legends Arie Luyendyk, Danny Sullivan and Al Unser Jr.

"We're thrilled to have these legendary drivers compete at the Vegas Grand Prix," said Jim Freudenberg, president and chief executive officer of the Vegas Grand Prix. "These drivers will be joined by an additional three racing legends that we'll announce in the coming weeks."

Historic Grand Prix is comprised of approximately 50 active owner-drivers of Formula 1 cars from grand prix racing's Three Liter period from 1966-1983. The roster of cars includes many grand prix and World Championship winners including; the 1981 United States Grand Prix Las Vegas (Caesars Grand Prix)-winning Williams FW07C-Cosworth, five Ferraris, three Lotus chassis, a Parnelli VPJ1, one of only four AAR Eagle-Weslake chassis, and many other cars of unique pedigree. The series is designed to present fast, colorful and spirited racing at very select venues in North America.

Six open-wheel legends are scheduled to compete against a select group of Historic Grand Prix owner-drivers in a 30-minute race prior to the Champ Car World Series race on Sunday, April 8. Danny Sullivan, Indy 500 winner, former Champ Car champion and Formula 1 driver,
is enthused about the weekend.

"I can't wait to get behind the wheel of one of those gorgeous cars and compete against Al Jr. and Arie again," Sullivan said. "The historic cars are meticulously maintained and the owners don't just put them out for show."

The Historic Grand Prix cars will be on display throughout the Vegas Grand Prix weekend for race fans to enjoy. The cars are arranged chronologically and each is accompanied by a storyboard with period photos and history.

"The HGP is about sharing history with modern fans and for those lucky enough to be at the Vegas Grand Prix. They will actually see some of the great open-wheel stars driving as well," explained HGP spokesman James King. "We have a great variety of cars and they are a treasured asset that will transport some fans back to an early memory of a hillside at Watkins Glen, the streets of Long Beach or Las Vegas in 1981."

The Vegas Grand Prix will cap a three-day festival of speed and entertainment being held on and around Fremont Street. The weekend will incorporate major rock concerts, a championship boxing match, celebrity poker tournament, Easter Sunrise Service and an Easter egg hunt culminating in the 2007 series opener for the Champ Car World Series.

The race will be held on a 2.44-mile temporary street circuit through the heart of "Glitter Gulch" in downtown Las Vegas.