Organizers of the Grand Prix of Houston, which was supposed to be presented on the 25-27 April at Reliant Park, have announced that the event will not be presented this year, following the merger between the Champ Car and IndyCar series that caught them by surprise.
Despite retaining the American Le Mans Series as a headline event, it was determined that trying to run with only one series would be financially impossible. Creating the temporary street course in Reliant Park is way too expensive to justify the presentation of only the American Le Mans Series.
The promoters of the Houston Grand Prix remain optimistic that we will have the opportunity to bring the American Le Mans Series and the Indy Racing League to Houston in 2009.
Meanwhile, 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Series champion Max Papis, who is currently serving as a test driver for NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports and who also participates in NASCAR's Nationwide Series has been tabbed to pilot the Rubicon Race Team entry and attempt to qualify for the 92nd Indianapolis500 on May 25.
Papis will attempt to make his third start in a Dallara/Honda/Firestone car owned by Jim Freudenberg and Jason Priestley and prepared by Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
Despite retaining the American Le Mans Series as a headline event, it was determined that trying to run with only one series would be financially impossible. Creating the temporary street course in Reliant Park is way too expensive to justify the presentation of only the American Le Mans Series.
The promoters of the Houston Grand Prix remain optimistic that we will have the opportunity to bring the American Le Mans Series and the Indy Racing League to Houston in 2009.
Meanwhile, 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Series champion Max Papis, who is currently serving as a test driver for NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports and who also participates in NASCAR's Nationwide Series has been tabbed to pilot the Rubicon Race Team entry and attempt to qualify for the 92nd Indianapolis500 on May 25.
Papis will attempt to make his third start in a Dallara/Honda/Firestone car owned by Jim Freudenberg and Jason Priestley and prepared by Sam Schmidt Motorsports.