On 10 September the series announced the private facility, located outside of Palm Springs in California, would host a special made-for-TV event at its 17-turn, 3.067-mile circuit that pays $1m to the winner on 24 March, following an test and qualification during the build-up to the race on the 22-23 March.
Additionally, it was revealed there would be a limited number of tickets available, which in turn caused a stir among fans.
On 20 October 2,000 tickets went on sale for $2,000 each (not including fees) on Ticketmaster, with no announcement from the series or the club circuit.
The purchase of a ticket provides a three-day VIP experience to the attendee, with access to the pits and seating that features “a premium view of the track”, according to the ticket transfer portal. The tickets also provided parking, “daily lunch included, featuring many of the best food trucks in the area as well as other onsite food options including beer & wine”.
As of now, neither IndyCar or The Thermal Club have shared any information with interested parties via social media or otherwise on the potential purchase of tickets, which remain available based on the ticket portal.
There has been a wide spectrum of reactions amongst fans on social media. Some have acknowledged the unique event as a way for the series to earn prospective partners and become healthier commercially, while others have voiced their frustrations over economic segregation.
“I think we've really not done a great job of positioning and explaining this,” Miles told Autosport.
Source: Autosport