Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 2012

14 Turn, 1.8 Mile Waterfront Track    

2012 - March 23 - 25th Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Downtown St. Petersburg. Series of races along a picturesque 14 turn, 1.8 mile temporary track. Features the Izod IndyCar, Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 National Championship, Pirelli WOrld Challenge Championships and Ferrari Challenge Series. Plus Expanded Bright House Speed Zone, Acura Yacht Club, Indy Fan Village, autograph sessions, Ferris Wheel celebrity sightings and more!

Parking and Transportation Information

With more than 25,000 parking spaces within a mile of the race track, city officials expect sufficient and successful parking and transportation for the upcoming Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Parking options include:

Park Downtown: City parking garages will charge a $5-all-day event rate on Friday and a $10-all-day event rate on Saturday and Sunday. Private lots, garages and on-street parking will also be available. Observe all posted parking regulations. South Core (enter from the north side of First Ave. S. between Second and First Streets)  BayWalk Garage (enter from Second St. between First and Second Avenues N.)

Park and Ride Shuttle from the Trop: FREE shuttle service from Tropicana Field parking to the race course. Parking at Tropicana Field will be $10. The shuttle will pick passengers up outside the main parking gate at 10th St. and Third Ave. S. and drop passengers near the Hilton on Fourth Ave. S. between Second and Third Streets. There will be a two-block walk to the race entry gate. The shuttle will operate all three race days from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Take the Trolley: The Looper Downtown Trolley  and Central Avenue Shuttle (St. Pete's Trolley system) will offer rides throughout Grand Prix weekend for .50 per person. The Looper provides a circular route between the city's parking facilities, hotels, restaurants and attractions. It operates from 10 a.m. to midnight (Friday and Saturday) and to 7 p.m. on Sunday, after the race. The closest Looper stop to the race course will be near the Hilton on the east side of  Second St. just north of Fourth Ave. S. The Central Avenue Shuttle serves The Pier, BayWalk, and Central Avenue from Second Ave. to the Grand Central District at 32nd St.

Parking for persons with disabilities: All permanent on-street accessible spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge - some have time limits but most are available for all-day parking.  An additional section of metered parking spaces on Central Avenue between First St. and Second St. will be temporarily reserved as free parking spaces for those with valid Disabled Person Parking Permit Placards and available on a first-come, first-served basis Friday through Sunday.  City garages, the USF garage and Tropicana Field provide accessible parking at the prevailing rate.  The USF garage is recommended for those with limited mobility wishing to enter the 5th Ave. S. gate and the SouthCore garage is recommended for those wishing to enter the 1st Ave. S. gate.  The Looper is wheelchair accessible and the Tropicana shuttle includes dedicated wheelchair accessible trolleys.

Entry Gates: There are two entry gates to the race course. Both gates offer wheelchair access. There will be intermittent time when wheelchairs can cross the actual racetrack, with estimated crossing times posted on-site. Gate 1 - First Ave. S. and First St. S. Wheel chair access Ticket booth Gate 5 - Fith Ave. S. and Second St. S. Wheel chair access Ticket booth  Will call

Motorcycle Parking: Special motorcycle parking will be available utilizing a "motorcycle corral" on Central Avenue between First and Second Streets on Saturday and Sunday only.  Spaces are available on a first-come, first served basis for $5.  Motorcycle, moped and bicycle parking are also available in permanent designated spaces on First Ave. N. between First and Second Streets and on Second St. S. between Central and First Avenue S.

Ride Your Bike: A large number of temporary bicycle racks will be available outside each entry gate in addition to the more than 75 permanent bicycle rack locations throughout the downtown area.

Taxi: Taxi stands will be located at the designated areas and offer a variety of taxi services for race days. North Stand - Second St. S. and Third Ave. S. South Stand - Second St. S. and Sixth Ave. S.

Street Closures

The following downtown streets will be closed or have limited access to traffic today through race weekend:

• Closed - Beach Dr. from Central Ave. to First Ave. S;
• Closed - First St. from First Ave. S to Fifth Ave. S;
• Closed until April 15 - Albert Whitted Park, motorized and pedestrian traffic
• Limited Access on Second Ave. S from First to Second St. S;
• Limited Access - First St. S from Fifth Ave. S to Eighth Ave. S AND Sixth Ave. S from Second St. to First St. from March 22 through March 26 2012;

Since mid-February, Bayshore Drive. S.E. from First Ave. S to Fifth Ave. S has been closed to traffic for racetrack construction until Friday, April 6.  Albert Whitted Park is closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic through April 8.  And the Saturday Morning Market will not be held Grand Prix weekend, March 24,  but returns in its regular location at Al Lang parking lot Saturday, March 31.

Race officials urge everyone around the track construction site to use caution and heed posted signage for their own safety. Marked construction areas are closed sites even when active construction is not present and could result in serious injury if warnings are disregarded.

Throughout race weekend, Albert Whitted Airport will remain open with limited access via Sixth Ave. S.  Limited access to USF-St. Petersburg, the Coast Guard Station, the Port of St. Petersburg, and Demens Landing will also be available; however, the boat ramp will be closed.

For updated Grand Prix news road closure news releases, click here.

 Honda Grand Prix Official Web Site   -   www.GPStPete.com