INDYCAR: Boston GP called off

Promoters of the scheduled IndyCar race in Boston have ended negotiations with the city and are looking for an alternative venue.

“An event of this magnitude requires considerable city and state support, and though we did overcome significant obstacles and demands that have been presented to us, the most recent demands regarding the flood zone issues and requirements of additional expenditure on the line of credit with no guarantees of overcoming those issues have left us no options but to cancel the race in Boston and look at other options,” said John Casey, CEO and President of the Grand Prix of Boston in a statement.

“At this juncture the demands that have been asked of us make this event in Boston economically unviable and despite robust corporate partnerships and excellent tickets sales, if we have no guarantee of MEPA approval then time was of the essence to make this difficult decision.  It is very disappointing for everyone who has worked so hard on the event and all of our corporate partners and fans who have supported the Grand Prix of Boston.

"We have had a team of over 50 people, as well as the city and state agency personnel who have been working tirelessly to find successful and viable solutions and unfortunately we are at an impasse.  We are exploring all options and will have further information available in the coming days.”

Casey told RACER the decision boiled down to the city's unwillingness to provide "outward support."

"I’m sure not they tried to voluntarily torpedo it, but it’s the nature of the beast in Boston,"  Casey said in a call Friday night. "When they give you their support, it just means they won’t screw you. Nobody gives you outright support, and I think we won over a lot of people, and the business community, and the residents, but the opposition and the lack of outward support from the city while putting agreements together was tough. It was very one-sided. They put no skin in the game and they were going to reap a lot of benefits. Unlike other cities that were willing to help out, they were willing to do nothing."

Earlier, Casey told the Boston Globe that he can no longer work with city representatives and that he intends to move the race elsewhere.

“The relationship between us and the city is not working,” Casey told the Globe. “The relationship is untenable.”

No details were given as to the potential alternative venues, although according to the Globe, one is said to be in New England. Executives working with Boston promoter Mark Perrone were also recently linked to proposals for a street race in Oklahoma City. However, the tight timeframes involved would make a new street race extremely difficult to pull together.

INDYCAR released a statement saying it was made aware of the news Friday night.

"We are obviously disappointed with these media reports and are in the process of gathering additional details and will respond accordingly at the appropriate time," it said. "At this stage it is premature for INDYCAR to comment further on the situation locally in Boston or the prospect of an alternate event."

The move comes exactly a week after the Boston Conservation Commission determined that the part of the planned 2.2 mile street course ran through a 100-year flood zone, and would have to abide by an additional permit process relating to the environmental impact of any construction work.

Organizers also faced a May 1 deadline to guarantee state agencies that they would not be liable for any costs associated with the event.

"This race is happening," Casey said. "We have had every timetable set forth before us. There's always obstacles. Man-made, non-man-made. With a big event like this in a big metropolitan city, we've met every obstacle, conquered every obstacle, and anything that comes up between now and September 2 we will conquer because we have the support of the state and the city and the majority of the population.”

The Boston Grand Prix, which was scheduled for the September 2-4 Labor Day weekend, would have been IndyCar’s first visit to the city, and the first IndyCar event in New England since New Hampshire Speedway fell off the calendar after 2011.

This story has been updated since initial publication to include statements from IndyCar and the Grand Prix of Boston.