Rexall Edmonton Indy Ready To Roll

EDMONTON, AB – The 2009 Rexall Edmonton Indy starts this Friday, July 24, and carries on for three energy-packed days at the City Centre Airport.

“The action kicks off on Friday with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.,” explains Northlands Director of Major Events Mike Burton, “Best of all, there’s no waiting around for fans that morning, because IndyCar practice starts 15 minutes after gate opening.”

In addition to three sets of IndyCar practices, Friday’s schedule includes qualifying for the new Firestone Indy Lights (FIL), the Corporate Championship Race, and NASCAR qualifying at speeds in excess of 200 km/h. Topping things off that evening is a free concert by The Sam Roberts Band at 7 p.m. on the Budweiser Turn One Stage.

On Saturday, July 25, the gates open at 9:30 a.m. Race fans will enjoy IndyCar and GT practice, as well as a pair of races. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race runs at 11 a.m., followed by the Firestone Indy Lights race at 2 p.m. Immediately following at 3:30 p.m., IndyCar qualifying will take place.

On Sunday, July 26, fans will want to beat the rush and get to the track when gates open at 9:30 a.m., because it’s race day! The NASCC Eurasia Cup GT Invitational race will take place at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Rexall Edmonton Indy at 4:00 p.m.

“We have 23 of the fastest open wheel drivers in the world taking on one of the circuit’s most challenging courses at City Centre Airport,” Burton emphasized. “It’ll be anybody’s race that afternoon, but what makes the Rexall Edmonton Indy so exciting this year is having two outstanding Canadian drivers in the field, Alex Tagliani and Paul Tracy. Race fans across our country will be cheering them on.”

What To Bring

In advance of the Rexall Edmonton Indy, Northlands would like to remind race fans of a few simple do’s and don’ts for this weekend’s race.
Items allowed inside the Rexall Edmonton Indy grounds include:
· Appropriate clothing for the weather
· Sun protection, including sunscreen, hats, umbrellas and sunglasses
· Sealed, bottled water

Items not permitted inside the Rexall Edmonton Indy grounds include:
· Alcohol
· Other open beverages of any kind
· Glass containers
· Hard-sided Coolers larger than 8” x 8” x 8”
· Skateboards, rollerblades or roller skates
· Professional cameras


Park ‘N Ride Information

Northlands, in partnership with Edmonton Transit, are offering eight Park ‘N Ride sites, making it easier for fans to get to and leave from the City Centre Airport.

“There won’t be any public parking available at all near the race track, or in surrounding residential areas,” Burton advises. “Utilizing Park ‘N Ride, or taking a scheduled bus down Kingsway Avenue, are definitely the easiest ways to get to the track all three days.”

Free Park ‘N Ride locations are at:
· 145 Ave. and 112 St. (Griesbach)
· Gateway Blvd. and University Ave. (NAIT’s Souch Campus Lot)
· 86 St. and 61 Ave. (Davies City Lot)
· 175 St. and 90 Ave. (West Edmonton Mall)
· 144 Ave. and 69 St. (Londonderry Mall)

Two other Park ‘N Ride lots charge $5 to leave a vehicle there:
· 104 Ave. and 111 St. (the MacEwan College service lot)
· 118 Ave. and 107 St. (NAIT parkade)

If fans use the City Hall parkade on 100 St. and 103 Ave. to take Park ‘N Ride from there, downtown parking fees are in effect.

Free Shuttle Service

The Rexall Edmonton Indy also provides a drop off and pick up area at Gate “A”, located just off of Airport Road, allowing mobility-challenged race fans easy access to the site.

Because it’s such an amazingly busy weekend with the Rexall Edmonton Indy AND Capital Ex taking place, Northlands is offering a free inter-venue shuttle service. The shuttle will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. all three days during the Rexall Edmonton Indy, running from Gate “A” to the 73 St. entrance at Capital Ex, over to Sir Winston Churchill Square downtown, and back to Gate “A” at the race track.
Ticket Information

Fans can purchase 3-Day Grandstand Passes or Single Day Tickets in advance at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

General Admission Walk-Up Tickets will be available at the gates of the Rexall Edmonton Indy on July 24 – 26 only.

For more information on the Rexall Edmonton Indy log onto http://www.edmontonindy.com/.

Edmonton’s biggest summer celebration, Capital EX, runs until July 26 at the Northlands’ grounds. For more information, visit www.capitalex.ca

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Northlands rocks Edmonton and Alberta with 2,500 events each year that attract over 4 million visitors to Alberta’s Capital City. Think Rexall Edmonton Indy, Canadian Finals Rodeo, Farmfair International, Capital EX, the best of horse racing, headliner concerts, international events and all the trade shows you can handle. Visit northlands.com to find out more.
Media Contacts:

Darren Krill Randy Kilburn
Senior Manager, Communications Media Relations
Northlands 2009 Rexall Edmonton Indy
Tel: (780) 471-7162 Cell: (780) 451-1550
Cell: (780) 886-2760 E-mail: rkilburn@northlands.com
E-mail: dkrill@northlands.com

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