USA: US GP support races announced, schedule

Porsche Michelin Supercup, Formula BMW to support Formula One

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, May 24, 2004 -- The schedule for the 2004 United States Grand Prix is set for June 17-20, with Porsche Michelin Supercup and Formula BMW serving as support series events for Formula One.

Event activity will start with the popular pit walkabout Thursday, June 17.

The walkabout will take place from 8 a.m.-noon (EST, local time) and is free to all 2004 USGP ticket holders. This is one of the few fan walkabouts available on the 18-event, global F1 schedule in 2004.

The exotic, high-tech cars of Formula One will take to the track for the first time for a practice session from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, June 18. The second Formula One practice takes place from 2-3 p.m. that afternoon.

There are two Formula One practices Saturday, June 19, from 8-8:45 a.m. and 9:15-10 a.m. Formula One pre-qualifying takes place from noon-12:50 p.m. Saturday, followed by single-car, one-lap qualifying from 1-2 p.m.

The 73-lap United States Grand Prix starts at noon Sunday, June 20. Six-time World Champion Michael Schumacher of Ferrari is the defending winner.

Formula BMW USA, an open-wheel training series in its first season in the United States, will make its United States Grand Prix support series debut with two races. The first Formula BMW race will start at 4:30 p.m. June 19, with the second race set for 2:15 p.m. June 20, after the finish of the United States Grand Prix.

USGP track activity will open with Formula BMW USA practice session from 9-10 a.m. June 18. Another Formula BMW practice is scheduled for 4:30-4:55 p.m. that afternoon.

Porsche Michelin Supercup has been a support series at the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis every year since the event's debut in 2000. Among the series' competitors is Indianapolis 500 veteran Alessandro Zampedri.

The world's fastest international, single-marque sports car series will contest two 16-lap races during the United States Grand Prix. The first race is set for 3:30 p.m. June 19, with the second race at 9:40 a.m. June 20.

Porsche Michelin Supercup qualifying is scheduled for 10:25-11:10 a.m. June 19. A practice session will take place from 3:30-4 p.m. June 18.

Tickets for the 2004 United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on June 20 are on sale, and the IMS ticket office encourages customers to place orders early to ensure the best possible opportunity to acquire good seats.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.

<pre> 2004 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE (All times Eastern Standard, -5 hours GMT) (Subject to change)

THURSDAY, June 17 8 a.m.-noon: Public pit walkabout

FRIDAY, June 18 9-10 a.m.: Formula BMW USA practice 11 a.m.-noon: Formula One practice 2-3 p.m.: Formula One practice 3:30-4 p.m.: Porsche Michelin Supercup practice 4:30-4:55 p.m.: Formula BMW USA practice

SATURDAY, June 19 8-8:45 a.m.: Formula One practice 9:15-10 a.m.: Formula One practice 10:25-11:10 a.m.: Porsche Michelin Supercup qualifying Noon-12:50 p.m.: Formula One pre-qualifying 1-2 p.m.: Formula One qualifying 2:30-3 p.m.: Formula BMW USA race #1 3:30-4:10 p.m.: Porsche Michelin Supercup race #1 (16 laps)

SUNDAY, June 20 9:40-10:20 a.m.: Porsche Michelin Supercup race #2 (16 laps) 10:45-11:15 a.m.: Formula One grid presentation 11:46 a.m.: National anthem Noon: United States Grand Prix (73 laps) 2:15-2:45 p.m.: Formula BMW USA race #2

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