IRL: Homestead-Miami race to be sponsored by Infiniti

MIAMI, Monday, Dec. 4, 2000 - The 2001 Grand Prix of Miami, the debut of the Indy Racing Northern Light Series in South Florida, will be sponsored by luxury automaker Infiniti.

Homestead-Miami Speedway officials announced Dec. 4 that the April 6-8 weekend is now the Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami.

"We are very excited to have Infiniti partner with us as the title sponsor for the Grand Prix of Miami," said Curtis Gray, president of Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Bringing together Infiniti and Indy Racing in South Florida assures us that Homestead-Miami Speedway is the place to be on April 6-8." Said Bob Reif, Indy Racing League senior vice president of sales and marketing and chief marketing officer: "The Indy Racing League is all about stability and commitment. Infiniti's sponsorship of the Miami Grand Prix demonstrates their commitment to the series and Homestead-Miami Speedway. To reinforce the series' stability, we're also announcing today that the Indy Racing Northern Light Series will be coming back to Homestead-Miami Speedway in March of 2002."

Drivers Eddie Cheever Jr. of Team Cheever and Robbie Buhl of Team Purex/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing drove their Infiniti-powered Indy Racing cars across Miami's MacArthur Causeway from Watson Island to the announcement at Monte's Stone Crab in Miami Beach.

"People here love their cars and love their racing, so we're really excited about getting the opportunity to showcase Indy Racing in South Florida," Buhl said.

Infiniti has been an engine supplier for the Indy Racing Northern Light Series since 1997. The 32-valve DOHC V8 Infiniti Indy is based on the engine in the company's flagship vehicle, the Infiniti Q45 performance luxury sedan.

"Indy Racing is the ideal showcase for Infiniti's performance and technology," said Tom Orbe, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division. "That is why we are involved with the series as an engine supplier, and now our involvement as an event sponsor allows us even greater opportunities to tell the Infiniti story.

"The timing of the Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami coincides with the introduction of the new 2002 Q45, so you will see a lot of exciting activity around the race touting our all-new 340-horsepower global flagship. For a preview, the new Q45 can be experienced online at www.thenewq.com." Infiniti is supported by a network of more than 150 retailers throughout North America and offers a range of luxury vehicles, including the Infiniti QX4 luxury Sport Utility Vehicle, G20 sports sedan, I30 luxury sedan, and flagship Q45 luxury performance sedan.

Tickets for the April 6-8 Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami begin at $10 for Friday and $20 for Saturday, with reserved Sunday grandstand seats ranging from $25 to $45. Children 12 and under are free Friday and Saturday and $15 on Sunday. For additional information or to order tickets, call (305) 230-RACE or visit www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com.

-IRNLS/IMS-