Your Guide to the Honda Grand Prix

After months of construction, preparation and anticipation, the eighth annual Honda Grand Prix roars into downtown St. Petersburg this weekend. 

Dubbed the "Worlds fastest spring break party," the Honda Grand Prix features 10 races over three days including Sunday's marquee event, which starts the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season. 

Open-wheel racers from around the world will compete along the 14-turn, 1.8 mile race course.

Sunday's race will be televised nationally starting 12:30 p.m. on ABC. 

Three-day and single-day tickets are still available for this weekend's event. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Honda Grand Prix gate. 

Road Closures

Motorists, residents and visitors to downtown St. Petersburg will see numerous road closures, detours and traffic pattern changes continue this weekend. 

Closed:

• First Ave. S. from Beach Dr. to Bayshore,
• Beach Dr. from Central Ave. to First Ave. S.,
• First Ave. S. from First St. to Beach Dr.,
• First St. from First Ave. S. to Sixth Ave. S.

Limited Access:

• Second Ave. S. from First to Second St. S.
• First St. S. from Fifth Ave. S. (Dali Blvd.) to Eighth Ave. S
• Sixth Ave. S. from Second St. to First St.

Where to Park for the Honda Grand Prix

Parking at Bay Walk (enter from Second St. between First and Second Aves. N.) or South Core (enter from the north side of First Ave. S. between Second and First Sts.) will cost $5 for all day on Friday and a $10 all-day event rate on Saturday and Sunday. Private lots, garages and on-street parking will also be available. 

Parking is also available at for $10, where race fans can hop aboard the free Grand Prix shuttle for a ride to the track. Fans may board the shuttle outside the main parking gate at 10th St. and Third Ave. S. for the ride downtown before being dropped off near the Hilton on Fourth Ave. S. between Second and Third Streets. There will be a two-block walk to the race entry gate. The Tropicana Grand Prix shuttle will operate Friday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find more parking information and printable maps go to, www.stpete.org/grandprix. 

Take the Trolley

The Looper Downtown Trolley and Central Avenue Trolley will offer rides throughout race weekend for just 50 cents per person. The Looper and Central Avenue Trolley are wheelchair-accessible while the Tropicana shuttle includes dedicated wheelchair-accessible trolleys. For a printable shuttle route map, visit www.StPeteTrolley.com.  

Disabled Parking 

Disabled on-street parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge; some have time limits but most are available for all-day parking. An additional section of metered parking spaces on Central Ave. between First and Second streets will be temporarily reserved as free parking for those holding valid Disabled Person Parking Permit placards and are available on a first-come, first-served basis Friday through Sunday.

Other locations offering disabled parking at the prevailing rate include city garages, Tropicana Field and the USF garage. The USF garage is recommended for those with limited mobility wishing to enter the Fifth Ave. S. gate, while South Core garage is recommended for those wishing to enter the First Ave. S. gate. 

Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Events

Thursday, March 22

• 5:35 - 6:05 p.m. - USF2000 Practice
• 6:10 - 6:40 p.m. - Star Mazda Practice
• 7:30 p.m. - Festival of States Parade

Friday, March 23

• 8 - 8:30 a.m. - Pirelli World Challenge Practice
• 8:45 - 9:20 a.m. - Ferrari Challenge Practice
• 9:35 - 10:15 a.m. - Firestone Indy Lights Practice
• 10:30 - 11 a.m. - USF2000 Practice
• 11:05 - 11:35 a.m. - Star Mazda Practice
• 11:50 - 12:50 p.m. - IZOD IndyCar Series Practice
• 1:05 - 1:40 p.m. - Ferrari Challenge Practice
• 1:55 - 2:35 p.m. - Firestone Indy Lights Practice
• 2:50 - 3:50 p.m. - IZOD IndyCar Series Practice
• 4:05 - 4:35 p.m. - USF2000 Qualifying
• 4:40 - 5:10 p.m. - Star Mazda Qualifying
• 5:25 - 5:55 p.m. - Pirelli World Challenge Practice
• 6:10 -7 p.m. - Ferrari Qualifying #1
• 7 p.m. - Welcome Party (by invitation only)
• 7:15 p.m. - HGPSP 5K Run

Saturday, March 24

• 8 - 8:45 a.m. - Pirelli World Challenge Qualifying
• 9 - 9:40 a.m. - Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
• 9:55 - 10:55 a.m. - IZOD IndyCar Series Practice
• 11:10 - noon - Ferrari Race #1
• 12:10 - 12:50 p.m. - USF2000 Race #1
• 1 - 1:40 p.m. - Star Mazda Race #1
• 1:55 - 3:15 p.m. - IZOD IndyCar Series Qualifying
• 3:30 - 4:40 p.m. - Firestone Indy Lights Race
• 4:55 - 5:45 p.m. - Ferrari Qualifying #2
• 6 - 7 p.m. - Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, Pirelli World Challenge Race #1

Sunday, March 25

• 8 - 8:20 a.m. - Ferrari Sponsor Hot Laps
• 8:35 - 9:05 a.m. - IZOD IndyCar Series Warm-up
• 9:15 - 9:55 a.m. - USF2000 Race #2
• 10:05 - 10:45 a.m. - Star Mazda Race #2
• 11 a.m. - noon - Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, Pirelli World Challenge Race #2
• Noon - 12:30 p.m. - IZOD IndyCar Series Pre-Race
• 12:30 -3 p.m. - Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, IZOD IndyCar Series Race
• 3:30 - 4:20 p.m. - Ferrari Race #2