FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 16, 2010
For more information contact: Emily Potter 317.408.1490 [email protected]
Speedway’s Main Street Prepares for Dallara, Indy Racing Experience Facility Speedway Redevelopment Commission breaks ground; facility will spur economic growth and job creation
Speedway, Ind. – Speedway Redevelopment Commission (SRC) officials today welcomed the Town of Speedway’s newest neighbors. Government officials, community members and local business leaders gathered on Main Street to break ground on a new state‐of‐the‐art facility for the Italian automobile design and engineering company, Dallara, and locally‐owned Indy Racing Experience. The facility will be Dallara’s only operation outside of Parma, Italy and will allow for the creation of more than 80 new jobs in Speedway, and an investment of more than $7 million into the community.
“Dallara is an excellent fit for our community, as we share a mutual dedication to the racing industry, innovation and advanced technology,” said Vince Noblet, president of the SRC. “Today’s celebration truly embodies the spirit of Speedway and marks a major milestone in our town’s redevelopment vision. As the home to the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 500, we are proud to be a part of the continued success of the motorsports industry in Indiana and the world.”
Dallara is expected to move into the new technology center on Main Street by the winter of 2011. This facility will eventually include an automotive production area, quality control and technical sections, an engineering center, an interactive area, a restaurant and a state of the art driving simulator. In July 2010, Dallara was selected by the IZOD IndyCar Series as its safety cell manufacturer for the 2012 season.
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Speedway Redevelopment Commission – 1010 Main St., Speedway, IN 46224
“Our design for the 2012 IndyCar Series safety cell is innovative, green, cost effective and faster than ever before,” said Gian Paolo Dallara, founder of Dallara Automobili. “The safety cell will be designed in Italy meanwhile the development, the tests and the production will be done right here in the heart of Speedway, the home open wheel racing. Our continual engineering evaluation of the chassis will take place in Speedway. We are excited to become an integral part of this community that is so steeped in racing tradition and motorsports advancements.”
Dallara has been devoted to the business of designing, building and supporting some of the world’s most competitive race cars for the last 40 years. Dallara cars have won the Indianapolis 500 ten times, and the IZOD IndyCar Series championship 12 times with more than 170 victories since 1998.
“We have been fortunate in Indiana to attract high quality jobs thanks to the efforts of many partners. Economic development is a collaborative process, and the state was pleased to be a partner in this investment. Our state Office of Community and Rural Affairs and Indiana Economic Development Corporation works everyday to bring in more jobs. We thank Dallara for their investment in our state and in our people,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman.
“Dallara has achieved worldwide acclaim due to decades of innovation and ingenuity that have elevated the company to the top of the motorsports industry. Their decision to establish a North American presence in Speedway and bring 80 new high‐skilled jobs here will only further raise our city’s global profile and recognition as a leader in motorsports, creating greater opportunities for additional future investment,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.
Dallara produces all the cars for the GP2, GP3 and World Series by Renault Championships, it is leader in the Formula 3 all over the world and it participates in the Grand Am championship. Dallara engineering has participated to the development of several racing cars and Supercars like Bugatti, Maserati, Ferrari, Toyota, Alfa Romeo, Honda and Audi to mention a few.
“As this new Dallara facility positions Speedway for future growth, the cost‐effective package that will be produced here will also position the series for growth, and will foster the tradition of innovation in open‐wheel racing and the Town of Speedway,” said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR.
Indy Racing Experience provides race fans and car enthusiasts from all across the word a one‐ of‐a‐kind experience. The company has given more than 12,000 rides over the past nine years, with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway serving as Indy Racing Experience most popular track.
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Speedway Redevelopment Commission – 1010 Main St., Speedway, IN 46224
“This facility draws upon the innovation of the founding fathers of the Town of Speedway,” said Scott Jasek, co‐owner of Indy Racing Experience. “With the future of the IZOD IndyCar Series being produced by world‐renowned Dallara in the same facility that allows fans and enthusiasts to experience the sport first‐hand, this facility will provide the Town of Speedway with a unique destination for its residents and visitors.”
“The addition of Indy Racing Experience to the Dallara facility to Speedway excites the racing fan and business man in me,” said Noblet. “Opening this facility to the public through Indy Racing Experience will draw more traffic to Main Street and will allow fans to experience what it’s like to drive an IZOD IndyCar.”
Demolition of the former building on the site will be completed in December and will cost approximately $100,000, funded by the SRC. Construction on the new Dallara and Indy Racing Experience Facility will begin immediately after demolition concludes.
About Speedway Redevelopment:
In November 2009, the SRC broke ground on Main Street, its first construction project. The $10 million Main Street project is the first milestone in the town’s Redevelopment Area One and is part of a $500 million investment to breathe new life into 400 acres of multi‐use property that will be primed for commercial, shopping and entertainment, residential and research and development projects. Made possible through private and public investment, the redevelopment zone will be a vibrant, thriving and attractive downtown that will foster growth within the existing business community and encourage development of new business.
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SRC consists of five volunteers appointed by the Speedway Town Council. Using input from the entire community, the commission is charged with developing a plan to revitalize a 700‐acre area, including Speedway’s Main Street.
Speedway Redevelopment Commission – 1010 Main St., Speedway, IN 46224