AUGUST 26, 1996

Palm Springs wants a Grand Prix

THE planned Palm Springs International Raceway says it is bidding for a United States Grand Prix.

THE planned Palm Springs International Raceway says it is bidding for a United States Grand Prix.

The project to build a 3-mile road circuit recently got the go-ahead from the local authorities and the plans include a track with over 100ft of elevation changes against the dramatic backdrop of Palm Springs's desert and the San Bernardino Mountains. The climate in the area is world famous and the city has the necessary infrastructure of hotels, restaurants and other resort facilities. There are 18 million people living within two hours of the track.

In addition the Palm Springs Airport is being redesignated "International" in October, to allow flights to arrive directly from Europe and the Far East.

The plans sound wonderful but the circuit developer David Christian is still looking for money to fund the construction work.

The favorites for a US Grand Prix remain Disneyworld (despite Disney denials) and Las Vegas.