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Indy Mile Canceled After Stage Collapse At Indiana State Fairground

By David Emmett | Fri, 19/08/2011 - 16:32

There are a lot of reasons to go to the Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP round, but one of the highlights is surely to take in the Indy Mile flat track race at the Indiana State Fairground. One of the most visceral experiences you can have as a motorcycle racing fan is to stand at the side of the track as a pack of rumbling V twins thunder past at high speed, and the event is a huge favorite with both the fans and the MotoGP riders and team members. 

However, in the aftermath of a tragic accident at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, in which a temporary stage set up for a pop concert collapsed in strong winds, killing 6 visitors, Family Events - which organize the Indy Mile at the State Fairground - have been forced to cancel the event. The debris from the accident has not yet been fully cleared and an investigation into the causes of the tragedy is still in full swing. Because it is not yet clear whether the fairground would be cleared in time for next Saturday's Mile, it was felt better to cancel it early.

Below is the official press release from Family Events announcing the cancellation:


Due to Ongoing Investigation of Stage Collapse at Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indy Mile for 2011 is Canceled.

(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indy Mile AMA Pro Racing Flat Track Grand National, scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds has been canceled due to unavailability of the track. On Saturday, August 13, 2011, the overhead rigging structure of the stage in front of the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand at the State Fairgrounds collapsed under heavy winds during a concert headlined by the Country Music group Sugarland. Five people were killed and dozens were injured in the accident. Portions of the debris from the accident came to rest on the adjacent dirt track.

Subsequently, a series of investigations into the causes of the accident have commenced. The examination of the wreckage is expected to continue for an indefinite period of time. This has forced the closing of the Grandstand and one-mile dirt track to events until the investigation is completed and the debris is removed.

Officials of the Indy Mile have been therefore forced to cancel the race for 2011. Persons with tickets will be offered refunds at their points of purchase.

C. Bruce Hubley, CEO of The Promotion Company- Family Events, producers of the Indy Mile said, "We deeply regret that we will not be able to hold the AMA Pro Racing Indy Mile Flat Track Grand National this year due to circumstances completely beyond our control. The officials at the Indiana State Fairgrounds are not in a position to give us a date to reschedule this season due to the indefinite nature of the ongoing investigation, so we are forced to cancel this year's race."

Dan Johnsen, Director of Flat Track for AMA Pro Racing said, "Losing a round is nothing compared to the loss of life, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. AMA Pro Racing's thoughts are with all of those now coping with the after-effects."

http://www.indystar.com/article/20110814/NEWS15/108140418/Indiana-State…

Indianapolis, USA
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Comments

backmarker61

11 years 5 months ago

Permalink

Terrible...

Well that sucks... Of course mostly for the families of those injured or killed and much less importantly for all the fans, and riders looking forward to the mile. Such a shame, I currently live in Northern Indiana and heard about this on the news, just terrible, but had no idea it was at the same fairgrounds.

My wife and I are going to the Gp, haven't missed one at Indy yet, but this year was supposed to be our first at The Mile... oh well, next year.

Our thoughts are with those affected by the tragedy...

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backmarker61

11 years 5 months ago

Permalink

In reply to Terrible... by backmarker61

One more thing...

For those going to the Gp... Superbikeplanet.com posted some really cool stuff going on at the track on Friday and Saturday night... concerts, bike shows, etc.

I may be mistaken, but I think this is the first time they have had stuff like this going on at the track itself during the evening and into the late night. So maybe, this will give some people who were planning on going to The Mile something to do...

http://superbikeplanet.com/2011/Aug/110717imsprev.htm

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Ducatisti83

11 years 5 months ago

Permalink

In reply to One more thing... by backmarker61

Thanks for the link

It'll be my first time at a GP and now I know what else is going on

Terrible tragedy for those involved...

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motogpgeezer

11 years 5 months ago

Permalink

Plan B

I join in mourning those who were lost at the fairground, a good reminder that motorcycle racing is the Toy Department of life.

I see that the Endurocross series will be at the Pepsi Coliseum (which I understand is also at the fairgrounds) on Friday night. Another form of Barbaric Colonial motorsports for those so inclined. Seriously if you haven't seen this it is a fine show.

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nozzle

11 years 5 months ago

Permalink

double header... next year

Perhaps Ducati will double up and let Nicky Hayden ride the Indy-Mile next year as well as the larger displacement GP1x.x. It would be a tremendous amount of publicity, Nicky has more chance of winning the Indy-Mile on a Dirty Ducati than winning on road course while testing parts for Rossi or waiting for the new stuff. Maybe there's a monocoque left boot in development?

Nicky needs to win a mile to have a Grand Slam in AMA dirt track if I'm not mistaken.

My heartfelt condolences to the Hoosiers. (somehow Hoosier = indigenous population of the State of Indiana)

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Japhrodisiac

11 years 5 months ago

Permalink

Another video

A clearer view of the tragedy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0rt9BB0FoU&feature=related

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motodog-650

11 years 5 months ago

Permalink

In reply to Another video by Japhrodisiac

Dirt track racing...

will happen Friday night at Mid America Speedway on the southeast side of Indianapolis featuring 450 flat track, speedway racing and a vintage race. Not the Indy Mile but should be a good show. So if your in town for MotoGP and you need to scratch your dirt track itch your not completely out of luck...

UPDATE: In light of Indy Mile cancellation Mid America has moved their event to Saturday night...

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