Baltimore Grand Prix Track Altered for 2012

The Baltimore Grand Prix track will undergo three small tweaks to its layout in an effort to improve the circuits raceability. First, a chicane placed on Pratt Street, which survives as the start/finish straightaway, will removed, allowing for an unabated run down to the first corner. Additionally, turn one is set to be widened to create a better passing zone. Finally, turns five and six, along with the pit entrance, will be reprofiled and slightly reshaped.

"I talked to a number of drivers to get their thoughts about the chicane and the recommendation was with some grinding (to the street surface) it would speed the cars up going into Turn 1 about 7 mph," said Tony Cotman, whose NZR Consulting firm constructs the track. "Without the chicane I think it will improve the show with a longer run into Turn 1, which will be widened to create a better passing zone and will be a good viewing place."

Cotman added, "Then we looked at Turns 5-6, which was a difficult combination last year, and we'll change the shape of the corner, which may entice some passing. There is terrace seating there that puts the track right under their noses. There are some other subtle changes like the shapes of walls."

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