Current Events: 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix - HVM Racing's Simona De Silvestro 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series Promotion

The Baltimore Grand Prix is a culmination of several parties working together; Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore Racing Development (BRD) President Jay Davidson, American LeMans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton and IZOD IndyCar Series President Randy Bernard. On Monday January 24th, 2011, one of IZOD IndyCar Series Race participants, Indiana-based HVM Racing, had a press event in Baltimore City to announce thier extended working relationship with 2010 IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year, Simona de Silvestro. Simona, a Swiss born 22 year old racing driver, had a great start to her IndyCar career. With major partner and sponsor, Entergy Corporation, inking a three year deal to support the HVM Race teams' young driver, HVM Racing was happy to share the news while also promoting the upcoming Baltimore Grand Prix, where Simona de Silvestro will be competing as a 23 year old in 2011.

One of HVM Racings other sponsors for Simona's #78 race car is Intercontinenetal Hotel; not surprisingly, this renewed IndyCar Series effort announcement was made at the Intercontinental Hotel here in Baltimore, Maryland. In the early afternoon after this press junket ended, the main event of this promotional event took place at the intersection of W. Camden St. and S. Howard St. HVM Racing brought out Simona de Silverstro's #78 2011 Honda powered IndyCar for a demonstration for the public.

For the mid-20 degree weather, the HVM Racing pit crew on duty were in suprisingly high spirits. They pulled in, brought out the car, setup their tanks and generators for the air tools and data-logging computers, then practiced thier tire changes for when Simona arrived and the cameras were rolling. Simona arrived in plain clothes shortly after video crews started crowding the #78 car, then emerged from the trailer in her Sparco race suit and stepped into her office. Two short street runs were made in a small closed area across from the Baltimore Convention center where Orioles Fans present tickets to enter Camden Yards. Baltimore City Mayor Rawlings-Blake was guided by the lead Engineer on starting up the car with an external device as there is no starter. Simona then fired the 3.5 Liter V8 up. Starting with a tire change by the pit crew, she proceeded to layeth down Firestone Firehawk rubber, slowing to a ~25mph drive, followed by a right foot induced 180* turn (providing more smoke), then coming to a stop where it started.

I wasn't aware of Simona before a month or so ago as I don't follow IndyCar Series racing, however, I'm impressed with this 22 year olds' motorsport resume since 2005 and more importantly how she carried herself in person. Simona posed for pictures, was friendly, signed autographs for kids and was all business when behind the wheel. I hope she's able to make a bigger name for herself in 2011 and I'll be watching IndyCar a bit more closely this year...in person too.

Special thanks goes out to BRD's Director of Marketing, Austin Crossley, for making this coverage possible. Stay tuned for more articles on the Baltimore Grand Prix as race season gets underway. Additional shots from this event can be seen here.