Indy ready to welcome walkabout fans 16 Jun 2004
The schedule for the second annual United States Grand Prix pit walkabout has been set and the Formula One teams and officials at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) are ready to welcome fans to the popular event, which proved a huge hit last season.
The pit walkabout is open to all 2004 US Grand Prix race day ticket holders and will take place from 0800 to 1200 (EST, local time) on Thursday, June 17. The IMS ticket office will be open at 0700 on Thursday morning for fans interested in purchasing race tickets and gaining access to the walkabout.
During the pit walkabout, fans can walk the pits and stand adjacent to the open garages, providing a clear view of the cars, high-tech equipment and skilled personnel of all 10 Formula One teams, including current frontrunners Ferrari, Renault, BAR and Williams. Still and video photography are allowed during the walkabout.
The inaugural walkabout last September was a resounding success, as thousands of fans packed the Formula One team garage area and pit road to get an up-close look at the exotic cars and sophisticated teamwork of Formula One racing.
New activities added for the 2004 pit walkabout include an autograph session with popular former Formula One drivers, including America’s only world champions, Phil Hill (1961) and Mario Andretti (1978), plus Danny Sullivan, Eddie Cheever Jr, Derek Daly and Stefan Johansson. This will take place from 1100 to 1200 on the Plaza Stage in the circuit’s Pagoda Plaza.
Sunday’s 73-lap race at Indianapolis, round nine of the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship, gets underway at 1200 local time, 1700 GMT.
