2017 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg: What to Know Before You Go

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – For the seventh consecutive year, the Verizon IndyCar series will open up its season racing around the streets of St. Petersburg.

The 2017 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg revs up this weekend, featuring 13 different races from six different series over a three-day span. The festival atmosphere offers more than just races, as the St. Petersburg is in the international racing spotlight.

Here’s what area residents and out of town guests need to know before you go to the 2017 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:

Dates and Times

The events surrounding the 2017 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will take place from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 12. Public gate hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The main event, the Grand Prix itself, is scheduled to take place from 12:30 to 2:50 p.m. with pre-race ceremonies beginning at 11:35 a.m.

Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12. Clocks will move forward one hour between Saturday and Sunday.

Location

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg takes place along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg near the intersection of First Street South and Fifth Avenue South.

Traffic Detours

The following downtown St. Petersburg streets are closed or will have limited access to traffic through race weekend:

• Closed: Beach Drive from Central Avenue to First Avenue South
• Closed: First Street from First Avenue South to Fifth Avenue South
• Closed: Albert Whitted Park, motorized and pedestrian traffic
• Limited Access: Second Avenue South from First to Second streets
• Limited Access: First Street South from Fifth Avenue South to Eighth Avenue South and Sixth Avenue South from Second Street to First Street

Parking

On-site parking is limited at the Grand Prix. Public parking is available nearby in metered spaces or city-owned garages. City parking garages will charge an all-day event rate. Private lots, garages and on-street parking will also be available. Public garages include:

• South Core (north side of First Avenue South between Second and First streets)
• BayWalk Garage (Second Street North between Frist and Second avenues)

Parking is also available at Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, in Lots 1 and 2 for $10. A free shuttle service will operate on all three race days from the stadium from 7 a.m. to 10 .m.

Tickets

The following tickets are available for the 2017 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (junior tickets are for ages 12 and younger):

• Single Day Reserved Grandstand – Adult: $75-100; Junior: $50-75
• 3-Day Reserved Grandstand – Adult: $105-135; Junior: $35-$100
• Adult General Admission – Friday: $20; Saturday: $35; Sunday: $50; 3-Day: $55
• Junior General Admission – Friday: $20; Saturday: $20; Sunday: $20; 3-Day: $30
• Adult Paddock Pass – Single Day: $40; 2-Day: $65 (does not include race admission)
• Junior Paddock Pass – Single Day: $30; 2-Day: $60 (does not include race admission)
• 3-Day Pit & Paddock Pass – 3-Day: $125 (18 and older only, must wear closed-toe shoes, can only be purchased with a 3-day grandstand ticket)

Tickets can be ordered by phone at (877) 725-8849.

Racing Schedules

Click here for a PDF of the official schedules.

Grand Prix Events

The following events will be taking place around the 2017 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:

Thursday, March 9

Flag-raising ceremony: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will host the official flag-raising ceremony on Thursday, March 9 at 10 a.m. Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, owners and promoters of the grand prix, will also participate in the ceremony on the northwest lawn of City Hall, 175 Fifth Street North.

Friday, March 10

Movies on the Lawn: The first Movies on the Lawn event during its Race Weekend Edition will be the Disney-Pixar classic “Cars” on Friday, March 10 at 6 p.m. The free movie will begin at sundown and will be shown on the north lawn of the Museum of Fine Arts. There will also be a children’s Build-A-Race-Car craft station while supplies last.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K: The fifth annual Firestone Grand Prix 5K Run will start Friday, March 10 at 6:15 p.m. starting at 400 Bay Shore Drive NE in St. Petersburg. The entry fee is $35, with registration ending Tuesday, March 7 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The race benefits the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg. For more information or to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/StPetersburg/FirestoneGrandPrix5K.

Saturday, March 11

Movies on the Lawn: The second Movies on the Lawn event will take place on Saturday, March 11 at 6 p.m. at Williams Park, 330 Second Avenue N. “Talladega Nights” will be the free movie, which will start at dark.

Tampa Bay Beer Week

The 2017 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg coincides with Tampa Bay Beer Week, a weeklong festival that celebrates the craft beer industry in the Tampa Bay area. Several events will take place during the weekend in St. Petersburg and the surrounding communities.

Click here for a recap of the featured events during Tampa Bay Beer Week.

For more information, visit http://www.gpstpete.com.

Image via Gordon Tarpley, Flickr, used under Creative Commons