Baltimore Grand Prix Takes the Checkered Flag

After months and months of waiting, the Baltimore Grand Prix finally made its much anticipated debut this past weekend.  Instead of rush hour gridlocks, we saw cars racing at speeds of 100+ MPH.  The three-day event got underway on Friday with practice rounds and qualifying.  As with any inaugural event, there were some bumps in the road, but organizers worked to get everything up and running as fast as possible.

Gearing Up for the Grand Prix

The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix is officially here! OSM has been meandering about town, chronicling the transformation of the downtown streets into an Indy Car race course.

Check out our photo galleries and a virtual lap on the course after the jump!

Showing the Spirit!

Having staved off an earthquake and hurricane, Camden Yards now awaits the true high energy event of the summer.

The O’s are proclaiming their Grand Prix pride with a giant welcome from the colorful cartoon Bird over their Warehouse offices.  It was just installed this morning and can be seen by anyone travelling west on Conway.

There are signs (literally) of the impending race all over the complex as sponsors are claiming their territory.  (Mr. Tire greets everyone descending the 395 ramp.)

Pretty soon those mega-yachts carrying sponsors and syndicate owners will be floating into the harbor.  And the weather couldn’t by any lovelier.

Sports Legends, Gearing Up For Grand Prix

It’s hard to get much past the prying eyes in Bin 400, but Sports Legends managed to do it with a special set of hot wheels.  They must have rolled it in during the dead of night, because it’s hard to miss this kind of spectacle.

Proof that something good does occasionally come out of Indianapolis, the sports museum managed to score some exhibits from the Indy 500 museum that will be on display through the Labor Day weekend — including this vintage race car.

Sports Legends manages to be au courant in their exhibit themes.  They are also celebrating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, including the visit of Abraham Lincoln and the 1861 riot at Camden Station.

Sports Legends is the place to be during the Festival of Speed.  It is the gateway to the exclusive VIP pit row suites, a merchandising center, and a concession stand for all those attending the concert and other activities on Camden Street.  The museum will also be open.

Be sure to stop in the Gentleman’s Waiting Room (that’s where Abe lingered on his way to Gettysburg) and see this paean to Indy Racing’s past.  It will get you revved up (even more than the earthquake) for the festivities to come.

Revvin’, Rockin’, and Rollin’: Around the Track and the Quake

One of the most memorable quotes from Forest Gump is when his mother tells him, “Life is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you are gonna get.”  What’dya know? Momma is always right!

After fulfilling the usual morning tasks- checking emails, voicemails, and making calls- we decided to check out the newest edifice that was installed for the Baltimore Grand Prix.  Yellow pedestrian bridges have been erected to allow people attending the three-day event to cross the streets during the race.  What turned out to be a small excursion quickly escalated to an entire tour of the 2.1 mile course.  However, the unexpected 45 minute power walk quickly translated into some great pictures of the view around the track.

Read more to view the slideshow. 

Quick Note:

Shout Out to PressBox!

The newest issue of PressBox has hit the stands and it focuses upon the upcoming Baltimore Grand Prix.  The issue is cleverly titled “The City that Speeds” (a nod to the frequently parodied civic slogan from the late 80’s) and contains a lot of useful information about the origins of the race, schedule of activities, and the logistics for getting around.

You can check it out online: PressBox August Issue