NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Racing in New Orleans and Louisiana makes a giant leap forward at this week’s first ever Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana.
NOLA Motorsports in Avondale, La. are itching to prove that New Orleans is an Indy car town.
“Our mission in New Orleans is to convert people to become race fans,” General Manager for the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana Tim Ramsberger says.
Track and race officials say the Grand Prix of Louisiana happened quickly. It was birthed in November of 2013.
$4.5 million of state aid, mostly for track improvements, followed quickly. Now all the folks at NOLA Motorsports have to prove is that New Orleans can be a racing city.
The contract with Indy car is for three years. But still up in the air is whether they will race next year in Avondale. That will be decided later this summer.
“We think it is a huge opportunity because there’s an extra 500 to 750 thousand people here, we think this a great chance to market the race,” track president Kristen Engeron said.
Public parking for the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana
Parking will be off-site at the LaPalco Boulevard Neutral Ground, Segnette Field, and the Avondale Shipyard (Saturday and Sunday only.)
Parking will cost $20 per car per day (CASH ONLY) and includes free bus shuttle transportation to and from NOLA Motorsports Park with service from 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Separate shuttles will be running from Harrah’s Casino to and from the track for $5 roundtrip (CASH ONLY) with service from 7a.m – 7 p.m.
Taxi drop off and ADA parking will be at Segnette Field, where an ADA Accessible shuttle will be available.
There is NO Public Parking available on-site at NOLA Motorsports Park for event weekend. Access to the event site is restricted to credentialed vehicles only at all times. Access to Nicolle Boulevard will be limited to credentialed vehicles only, during certain times during the event weekend.