Grand Prix Of Baltimore 2013 Tickets On Sale Friday

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It may seem like a long way off, but tickets for the 2013 Grand Prix of Baltimore go on sale Friday. This year, organizers are going all out to make the race a huge success for the city.

Kai Jackson explains what's different this time around.

Organizers hope a new incentive will get more people to the track.

The Grand Prix of Baltimore is a heart-pounding, white-knuckled thrill ride through city streets. It's become the marquis racing event in Maryland, and it's returning in 2013. Organizers say to help boost attendance, they'll start selling tickets online Friday with lower prices.

"This year, we've expanded our ticket structure so we have some lower price admission tickets," said Debbie Bell, vice president of the Grand Prix of Baltimore.

Race On says general admission tickets will be lower. A reserve seating tier will allow more people to attend, and new seating flexibility will allow fans to buy seats for each race.

J.P. Grant, manager of Race On LLC, which runs the Grand Prix of Baltimore, says with this enhanced ticket structure for 2013, they hope to take the race to another level.

"I surely would [attend] if they fell within a range that I could afford," said Christopher Husketh. "I would most certainly do it."

The first year of the Grand Prix proved controversial. Things broke down when organizers couldn't meet the financial obligations after the race.

This year, leadership of the event changed hands a few times before the group called Race On took over and partnered with Andretti Sports Marketing. Management this year was successful, but attendance for the 2012 race was lower than expected.

"I think actually what we've done is make it more family-friendly. So we're making lower admissions; we have junior ticket sales," Bell said.

Once again, organizers expect to hold the Grand Prix on Labor Day weekend next year.