Downforce Racing Selected As New Baltimore Promoter

A partnership comprised of two Baltimore-based business entrepreneurs and an Indianapolis-based construction executive with extensive motor racing experience has been selected by Mayor Stephanie-Rawlings Blake to produce the Baltimore Grand Prix starting this Labor Day and continuing through 2016. The Mayor’s selection is subject to review by the Baltimore City Board of Estimates.

Downforce Racing consists of Wilkes Lane Racing LLC, whose principals are Felix J. Dawson and Daniel C. Reck, and Dillon Racing LLC, whose principal is Dale Dillon.

Dawson and Reck are founding partners of Wilkes Lane Capital, LLC, which focuses on advisory services and private investing in the energy sector. Both are former executives of Constellation Energy. Dawson served as president and chief executive officer of Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc., and Reck was co-head of Origination in the same group.

Dale Dillon owns Dillon Construction Group and Dillon Racing, both based in Indianapolis. He has served as head of operations for Grand Prix races in St. Petersburg and Toronto, and was brought in to manage the operations of the 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix just weeks before the race.

The partners impressed the Mayor with their experienced executive leadership, significant credentials in race operations, and strong financial management capabilities. The goal, the partners emphasize, is to create an event that grows over time to become the premiere street racing event in North America. The 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix, they note, was a successful event for spectators and the local hospitality industry, and persuaded the IndyCar and American Le Mans organizations of Baltimore’s potential as a race setting. There is sufficient spectator, business, and civic support for the race to be a profitable event for all parties involved. The race organizers expect last year’s $47-million economic impact to increase as the event becomes a staple of the City’s Labor Day activities.

Among the race organizers’ challenges are landing title sponsors for the event and attracting vendors, many of whom went unpaid after last year’s race. Both challenges are already being addressed, they emphasize. The task of lining up title sponsors is expected to be finalized quickly, and a disciplined business plan is expected to ease vendors’ doubts.

RacingNation Crew

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