The 2003 Grand Prix of the Americas

    I received an invitation to attend the 2003 Grand Prix courtesy of Microchip, makers of the PIC series of microcontroller chips. These are absolutely the chip to use for simple, low cost microprocessor applications.

Trackside:

These cars are running in the CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) racing series.

Microchip is a sponsor of the Johnson Controls car.

Up to 180 MPH on the city streets of downtown Miami

Here the track runs along Biscayne Bay. Miami Beach is visible in the background.

The Pits:

I was impressed by the detail in the pit area where a complete repair facility was assembled in one day.

    This car is in for a tune up. Actually parametric data is logged from each lap and is downloaded for analysis. Some cars run RF telemetry for real time analysis during a race.

The electronics for the car. Note the unaltered Motorola "walkie talkie" style radio used for voice communications during the race.

Here a car is separated into two pieces to gain access to the clutch

The other half (of a different car)

All of the pit areas are as clean as these.

The infield:

If you're not impressed by the automotive beauty, there is Miss Grand Prix. Here are the five finalists.

Ford Racing displayed some of their toys. Here is a NASCAR race car and a Funny Car from NHRA drag racing.

Ford also displayed some concept cars. This is one of the two Ford GT's that existed in August 2003.

The Hospitality center:

   This area was accessible "by invitation only". Here manufacturers and sponsors set up meeting areas for their people and their invitees.  There were food trailers and tents, more pit areas, and some displays of equipment and technology. Microchip brought out two Segway transporters to try out. They are controlled by PIC microcontrollers.

Segway races!

An episode of CSI Miami was being filmed in the hospitality area.