The streets of Washington DC will host an IndyCar race this summer as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday, Donald Trump announced Friday, relishing the prospect of vehicles roaring past the White House at speeds approaching 200mph.
Trump signed an executive order establishing the race on 23 August alongside Roger Penske, owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar and teams in multiple racing series including Nascar.
“It’s going to be so exciting,” Trump said. “I love the racing. I don’t have a lot of time to watch it, but I love the racing.”
The president has also been personally involved in promoting a UFC fight to help mark America’s 250th anniversary which he has said is set for 14 June on the White House grounds – a date that happens to be his 80th birthday.
Trump said he urged organizers to pick the best race route through Washington’s streets – even if they were more complicated logistically.
“I said, pick the best site. It’s very important,” the president said. “Even if it’s more difficult to get, to get approved, pick the absolute best site.”
Organizers said they’d long lobbied members of Congress to authorize a road race in Washington but had been previously unsuccessful. Duffy asked when the last road race in the capital occurred and was told it was in 1801 and involved horses during the administration of Thomas Jefferson – prompting Trump to reply, “That’s something.”
“Now we’re going to do a real race,” said Duffy, who said the event would be free for the public, declaring: “Freedom, America. Speed. And road racing. It doesn’t get more American than that.”
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Trump signed an executive order establishing the race on 23 August alongside Roger Penske, owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar and teams in multiple racing series including Nascar.
“It’s going to be so exciting,” Trump said. “I love the racing. I don’t have a lot of time to watch it, but I love the racing.”
The president has also been personally involved in promoting a UFC fight to help mark America’s 250th anniversary which he has said is set for 14 June on the White House grounds – a date that happens to be his 80th birthday.
Trump said he urged organizers to pick the best race route through Washington’s streets – even if they were more complicated logistically.
“I said, pick the best site. It’s very important,” the president said. “Even if it’s more difficult to get, to get approved, pick the absolute best site.”
Organizers said they’d long lobbied members of Congress to authorize a road race in Washington but had been previously unsuccessful. Duffy asked when the last road race in the capital occurred and was told it was in 1801 and involved horses during the administration of Thomas Jefferson – prompting Trump to reply, “That’s something.”
“Now we’re going to do a real race,” said Duffy, who said the event would be free for the public, declaring: “Freedom, America. Speed. And road racing. It doesn’t get more American than that.”
Donald Trump announces plans for Indycar race through Washington DC streets — Guardian US
Trump signed an executive order to stage a road race in Washington on 23 August as part of events around the 250th anniversary of US independence