What gives is the inaugural Vegas Grand Prix, a 2.44-mile race through the streets of downtown Las Vegas. It's a three-day event (April 6-8) that includes concerts, a boxing match, extreme sports demonstrations, and other car- and racing-oriented promotions, culminating in the race itself at noon on April 8.
The race is the 2007 season opener of the Champ Car World Series, taking place on a 14-turn temporary street circuit encompassing a route that starts and ends at the World Market Center and crosses Fremont Street on Fourth. (For a map of the complete circuit, click here.)
The Formula One-type single-seat Champ cars generate 750 horsepower, can achieve speeds of up to 180 miles per hour, and have open cockpits, open wheels, and wings (necessary to provide down force so the cars don't go airborne).
This isn't the first Formula One Grand Prix to take place in Las Vegas; two races occurred in 1981 and 1982 in the parking lot of Caesars Palace. The race was discontinued due to sparse turnouts.
This race, however, is expected to be one of the largest events in the history of downtown Las Vegas. More than 40,000 grandstand seats will be set up along the course, which means that it's a great place to stay away from if you’re not into huge crowds and deafening race cars on Easter Sunday.
If you are, act fast; all the reserved seats are sold out and only a few general-admission seats remain. Tickets go from $12 to $175 if you can get them.
