SAN JOSE GRAND PRIX
It's Year Three of the Grand Prix!

In its three years of existence, the San Jose Grand Prix has been anything but dull. The inaugural 2005 race saw over 150,000 fans turn out to see one of the biggest events in the history of the city, with the lasting image of Champ Cars bouncing over the railroad tracks at speeds that exceeded 180 mph. Last year, major track improvements led to one of the fastest street races of the season, which saw numerous passes, lead changes and a fight in the pits between two of the top drivers in the Series.

And it all happens again this summer. The San Jose Grand Prix, which proudly supports the Canary Foundation, will be contested July 27-29, putting the nation's 10th largest city into the racing spotlight and back on national television.

It will be the 10th stop on the Champ Car World Series schedule and the event will feature some of the greatest race car drivers in the world. Three-time defending Series champion Sebastien Bourdais headlines a list of drivers that includes veterans like Paul Tracy, Mario Dominguez and Alex Tagliani and up-and-coming stars like Justin Wilson and Will Power.

Fans coming to the race this year will again see additional improvements, both off and on the track, the most notable being the addition of a new car for 2007, the Panoz DP01. Unveiled at the San Jose Grand Prix last year, this American-built machine features cutting-edge technology that will make it one of the most efficient and fastest race cars in the world.

But the more things change, the more they remain the same, especially on the track. Bourdais continued his dominance of the San Jose Grand Prix with his second consecutive victory, racing to a six-second win over Cristiano da Matta and Wilson. The French-born driver also recorded his second pole in as many San Jose starts as well as smashing the track record for the fastest lap recorded. But despite the dominance of Bourdais (who led 69 of the 97 laps), the 2006 Grand Prix may best be remembered for what happened OFF the track. Veteran drivers Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani got into a fistfight in pit lane after Tracy's car plowed into the side of Tagliani's minutes before, thus ending the day for both drivers. After a heated verbal exchange, they both threw a series of punches before being separated, a highlight that showed many times that night on ESPN and also appeared in pictures later that week in Sports Illustrated.

San Jose Grand Prix officials have worked very hard over the past three years, listening to fans and drivers to make changes to the circuit, improving both the on- and off-track experience. Among the changes are a doubling of the pedestrian bridge capacity, improving the traffic flow around the site and improved viewing sightlines from the grandstand and general admission areas.

Continuing its theme from the last two years, More Than A Race, plans for the 2007 San Jose Grand Prix include a freestyle motorcycle exhibition as well as more music, interactive displays, charity events and promotional activities. With more bridges, more viewing, more passing, more excitement and more fun, this year's Grand Prix promises to be the best ever.

The Canary foundation, which was founded by Don Listwin, is dedicated to advancing the science of early detection of cancer and is the official Social Cause of the Champ Car World Series.

Newly reduced tickets plans range from a single day general admission price of $25 on Friday, July 27 to $129 for a three-day Gold Grandstand seat, which includes a paddock pass. Corporate and group discount rates are also available. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the San Jose Grand Prix ticket office at (408) 277-9470. Additional information on corporate sponsorships and hospitality suites can be easily obtained by calling the Grand Prix office or visiting the official website at www.sjgp.com.