IMS, 500 festival to put Art in Motion during May.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 500 Festival are teaming up for the second time with a common promotional theme and design - "Art in Motion" - for both the Indianapolis 500 and 500 Festival activities in 2003.

The 87th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, and 500 Festival events start with the 2003 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Health and Fitness Expo on Thursday, May 1 and continue through the annual 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, May 24.

Themes of art, colour and constant motion are common throughout the Indianapolis 500 and every 500 Festival activity.

Those themes are evident whether it's brightly painted Indy Racing League cars roaring at 220 mph round the historic 2.5-mile oval during the month of May before hundreds of thousands of fans wearing various colours, 25,000 runners competing in the Mini-Marathon or the collage of colorful floats, flags and banners in the downtown Indianapolis streets during the 500 Festival Parade.

"Art in Motion" will be the central theme of all Indianapolis 500 promotional and informational materials, including radio, print and television advertisements, a marquee banner hung outside the Speedway, fan guides, posters, media materials, credentials, programs and suite tickets.

Plans are underway for an art competition with a motorsports theme and art-related activities in the Pagoda Plaza during the month of May at the track.

"A common Indy 500 promotional theme for both IMS and the 500 Festival makes good sense," said Tony George, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Community involvement has always been an important part of the month of May, and plans for 'Art in Motion' take this involvement to a new level. We appreciate the work of all of the volunteers and the support of local businesses and government."

To emphasize the "Art in Motion" theme, the 500 Festival will exhibit uniquely decorated replicas of race cars around Indianapolis. It will be the central theme of the 500 Festival Parade and the many other events and programs produced by the 500 Festival, as well as promotional material and media information.

"'Art in Motion' exemplifies what both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 500 Festival are all about - the beauty of movement," said Mary Clare Broadbent, 2003 chairman of the 500 Festival Board. "And we'll spread that beauty all around town on sculpted race cars, flags, floats, banners, giant balloons, runner and children's faces. Everywhere they look next spring, fans will see 'Art in Motion.'"

The Indianapolis 500 is the world's most prestigious auto race. "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" first took place in 1911 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and has taken place annually since then except for the war years of 1917-18 and 1942-45.

The race attracts the largest single-day crowd of any sporting event in the world.

The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the Indianapolis 500, the greatest race in the world.

The mission of the 500 Festival is to produce events and programs that celebrate the success of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Indiana and their guests. These events and programs, produced largely by volunteers, enhance the image of Indianapolis and Indiana by showcasing their cultural, educational, and social benefits to the world.