Fast Take Story by Dwight Drum
Web work Larsen & Drum Images by Drum
IndyCar Series
IndyCar City Streets
By now tons of concrete barriers have been moved off the tranquil streets of downtown St. Petersburg and the Central Yacht Basin at Bay Shore Drive is now visible without miles of tall fencing obstructing the picturesque harbor. Where once a mighty and challenging 1.4 mile temporary racing street course stood tall with fences and stands; now neighborhood city streets are restored to curb-high lanes for 35 mph traffic.
Some residents are happy to see the noise go but for many race fans from the city and beyond the Honda Grand Prix of St.Petersburg has become a popular spring destination. The Indycar Series has restructured its schedule to make St. Petersburg their season opener for various reasons. One big reason has to be the tropical waterfront background but the abundant crowds probably factor in the decision too.
Local serene turf is sometimes reminiscent of the fabled streets of Monte Carlo in Europe where the F1 race takes place. Mayor Rick Baker has another view of a comparison when some deem his town, “The Monte Carlo of the United States.” He calls Monte Carlo, “The St. Petersburg of Europe.”
Now that’s being politically exact and understandably biased all in a few powerful words. For many who know the honorable mayor expectations are fulfilled when he renders savvy comments like that during prime moments.
The good mayor also got to test the same streets he presides over in the transformed status as a 14-turn race track. His story about his IndyCar Experience ride seems tailored for a hands-on politician and then some.
Let the mayor tell his story of a very tall politician attempting rides in very low race cars.
Rick Baker (Mayor, St. Petersburg, Fla.)
“Probably four or five years ago they tried to put me into the open-wheel tandem seat car, a Porsche,” Baker said. “You know I grew up in Indianapolis. I’ve been a race fan when I was a kid and to be in an open-wheel car around the track on a hot lap would be just a lifetime experience for me. I’m six foot seven. It’s fortunate for some things but for this Porsche it’s unfortunate. They tried to cram me in and my head was about three or four inches above the roll bar. The safety folks didn’t like that so they would not let me in.
“So about two or three years ago, they said they’ll give me a ride in the pace car. I walked over to a pace car. I opened the door and sat down and there’s some little gal in the front seat of the pace car. I said ‘Oh boy.’ I was hoping open-wheel and here I am in a pace car. So when I sat down, boom, she takes off like crazy. I’m just hanging on around the corners. It turned out to be Danica Patrick that was taking me around. So I got to know Danica that day.”
Then Kevin Savoree, head of Andretti Green Racing, decided he was going to get me into a race car come hook or crook. So they brought me over to the track under false pretenses. I was supposed to do another photo opportunity of me trying to get into the car and failing. But what they didn’t tell me is that they had taken the bucket out of the back seat. I actually sat on the frame. They stuck me in there on the frame with fire gear, helmet and everything else. It took three guys pushing me into the car. My knees were literally in my chin and I could barley breath. I told Keven Savoree, ‘I’m not sure this is good idea.’ He said, ‘Lock him up quick.’
“And they took me around on a hot lap. It was fun. I couldn’t move a quarter inch but I was going about 130 mph in the backstretch. It was a lot of fun and exciting. You gain such an appreciation for what those drivers are doing and how fast everything is going by and with very slight movements they are keeping the car on the track and dodge other cars and debris and rain sometimes. It’s just an incredible amount of talent to drive one of those Indy cars around.”
Hot Seats
Hot seat drivers: Graham Rahal, Danica Patrick, Justin Wilson and Stanton Barrett
Driver Images
Drivers up close: Mike Conway, Dan Wheldon, Dario Franchetti, Tony Kanaan, Stanton Barrett, Ed Carpenter, Mareo Moraes, Hideki Mutoh, Will Power, Danica Patrick, E.J. Viso and A.J. Foyt IV,
Track Time
Cars on Track: Andretti Green Racing [Danica Patrick], Team Penske [Will Power], Ganassi Racing [Scott Dixon], Newman Haas Lanigan [Graham Rahal], Panther Racing [Dan Wheldon], Luczo Dragon Racing [Rapheal Matos]
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