CALGARY – The city says it’s not the driving force behind an IndyCar race possibly coming to Calgary – but, so far, it isn’t saying no to the idea.
Calgary businessman Ric Peterson has been pushing for an Indy race in Calgary for September 2017 and has drivers on board.
“We need to get another race out here for sure,” said James Hinchcliffe, the lone Canadian driver competing in IndyCar races. “You know, we had Vancouver for a long time, and Edmonton for a while so it would be nice to get one here.”
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Some councillors say it has the potential to put the city on the global stage, in addition to the stampede, but they want to see the business plan.
Indy events have failed in other Canadian cities because they couldn’t recoup the cost. Edmonton’s Indy trial run turned into a money pit a few years ago.
“We wouldn’t do these for the sake of doing them unless they paid for themselves,” said city councillor Shane Keating.
Calgary Economic Development said it plans to discuss this subject further at a meeting Thursday
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