San Jose announces on and off track changes.

Organisers of the San Jose Grand Prix have announced major changes to the event for 2006 including a revised track layout and an increase in grandstands.

All spectators will be able to enjoy better viewing facilities in 2006 while the Champ Car paddock itself has also been extended.

The changes come after this year's inaugural race was beset by problems to the track, which was altered several times during the course of the race weekend and provided very little on track action when the racing finally got underway.

Improvements have also been made to the grandstands providing better viewing of all on-track action. Gold 1 and 2 grandstands will be elevated; Silver 3A and 3B grandstands will be consolidated into one grandstand; Silver 4D will be moved closer to the track; and Silver 1 grandstand will become the closest to the new and expanded Champ Car paddock. In addition, approximately 5000 more grandstands seats have been added, increasing the capacity. New and improved general admission locations have also been created.

The on-track changes are just as dramatic. The track will be flush to the curb at the rail track crossings on Almaden Boulevard. and Market Street. making it smoother, which will allow for more speed. The turn at the corner of Almaden Boulevard. and Park Avenue will be widened, as well as the track along Park Avenue. The turn at Market and Balbach Streets. will also be widened, all of which will create potential passing opportunities.

In addition to the circuit changes it was also announced today that before beginning the public ticket sale for the 2006 San Jose Grand Prix, set for July 28th-30th, the event is offering patrons of last year's inaugural race the opportunity to renew their same seats at last year's prices until January 1st 2006 when tickets will go on sale to the public.

"With every event you try and improve the event year after year," said San Jos? Grand Prix Vice President and General Manager, Bob Singleton. "The challenge with a first year event is to make the improvements, the changes, that increase the on-track and off-track experience. We have listened to both the drivers and our fans in making our changes and improvements," he noted.

Singleton added that, "In addition, for all our valued customers, we are happy to announce that we are going to renew their tickets for the 2006 San Jos? Grand Prix at 2005 prices until January 1st 2006 when the San Jos? Grand Prix tickets will go on public sale."

Commenting on the improvements to the track, Champ Car World Series Vice President of Operations and Race Director, Tony Cotman said, "I think it is very good to see that the San Jos? Grand Prix make a very good effort to help Champ Car improve the show. In looking at the track this morning and the proposed changes, they have taken a lot of input from the teams, drivers and Champ Car and helped us to enhance our product, so we are very excited about next year's event. I think the biggest change is in Turn #4, widening it by over 50' to the entry of four, coming out of the hairpin (Turn #3) -- that is good and should provide the opportunity for a lot more passing."

Explaining how the changes will affect the on-track competition, Champ Car driver and Los Gatos native A. J. Allmendinger, who was raised in San Jos? and drives for RuSPORT said, "I think the San Jos? Grand Prix put on a great event last year. It overwhelmed everyone to see how popular Champ Car was here in San Jos?. I believe the San Jos? Grand Prix is taking the right steps to make the racing better. They definitely know how to put on a good show and now they are fixing the track to improve the racing, which is a positive for the fans, the teams, the drivers and the city.

"I am happy to see the San Jos? Grand Prix, the Canary Fund, the City of San Jos? and Champ Car making the changes necessary to make the race stronger and I am really looking forward to coming back next year and competing in my home town."