Audi Presents Petit Le Mans - 06/10/2001   Meetings and Schedules 1   © Janos Wimpffen Officials representing next year’s proposed National Grand Prix in Washington DC addressed a truly large throng of reporters this morning. Prospects of a free breakfast attracted many. It is definitely a high-level professional effort, with the TSI company being involved. They are one of the best “stick and ball” sports marketing groups in the country. The eight-turn course will be laid out in the parking lots of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, located about two miles west of the Capitol building. The site is highly accessible with D.C.’s excellent Metro system. The design considerations are very spectator friendly with ample viewing areas. Consideration had been given to a downtown street course but that would have involved street closures and would have faced a ban on advertising around the national monuments area. An advantage of the RFK spot is that is well known to the populace, being the foremost football and soccer stadium in the area. As anyone familiar with the area will anticipate, we are all looking forward to spending a July weekend baking on the tarmac of a car park. It must be handed to the organizers that they are planning to surface the track with a special high melting point pavement. Back to the paddock patter: Eric Bernard has backed out of driving the Cadillac this weekend. A few laps in practice showed that the vibrations were still irritating him. Rather than chance re-injury, he’s taking a cautious route. Things are quite cheery in the American Viperacing pits. The Carsport Holland group has imported their know-how and also lots of front suspension bits to help soften the setting from its previously unmanageable bounce. They’ve also re-mapped the motor for better fuel economy. Seen in the pits: David Donohue and Michael Mallock. Both are looking for rides in 2002. Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport