2011 Grand Prix Champion Will Power Says Baltimore Streets Make A Tough Race Circuit
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- The streets of Baltimore are about to be taken over by speeding race cars. The Grand Prix gets into gear on Thursday and runs through Labor Day. Some big names in racing are in Charm City looking to leave as champion.
Rochelle Ritchie catches up with the winner of last year's race who says this year will be more challenging.
His name is Will Power and he says it will take a lot of will and power to beat the experienced drivers in this year's race.
In just two days, the sound of race cars speeding through downtown past thousands of spectators will take over.
"It's probably one of my favorite events all year," Power said.
He is the 2011 winner of Baltimore's Grand Prix.
"That was me thinking in my head, 'I want to win this championship,'" he said after the race in 2011.
One year later, he is in Baltimore hoping to do it again.
"It was actually one of my best wins, the way the strategy worked out, how hard I had to push to win it," he said.
The speed limit on Pratt Street is typically 30 miles per hour. But during the Grand Prix, the drivers will be going much faster than that.
"Nothing better than murdering 190 miles an hour on the streets of Baltimore," Power said.
While the two-mile course may look easy, it's not.
"Hope they don't hit the potholes like I do," a Baltimore resident said.
Power says tight turns and narrow streets are tough and test the skills of the drivers, and shows who's really best.
"It's a tough street circuit, it's quite bumpy, very challenging. But we love it when it's like that," he said.
Besides battling potholes, Power says this year's group of competitors is more challenging.
"It's so many good guys this series. It's so competitive. If you win, you're doing a good job," he said. "So let's hope I do a good job and win again," Power said.
The race runs from Aug. 31 until Sept. 2.
The course includes 12 tough turns and is two miles long.
