Baltimore GP tabs Tim Mayer as new GM

The Baltimore Grand Prix organizers got a boost of knowledge and experience Monday as they hired veteran racing hand Tim Mayer to serve as the event’s general manager

Mayer, who is the son of legendary McLaren chief Teddy Mayer, has a deep and thorough racing background, including stints as the CEO of the International Motorsports Association and the American Le Mans Series as well as serving as the Sernior VP of Racing Operations for CART.

"I enjoy a challenge," Mayer told the Baltimore Sun. "I'm the one who understands the thousands of little details of racing. Organizing a race in less than 100 days is certainly a challenge, but doable."

The race has had more than its share of organizational trouble as it heads toward the second running of the race – which features the IZOD Indy Car Series and includes the ALMS on the bill. The event has been through a number of leadership and promoter changes in its short life, and has wrangled with the city over costs and loans despite what was termed a very successful weekend from an attendance and exposure standpoint last year.

The race, which takes place over the Labor Day weekend, appeared in real danger of coming off the Indy Car calendar in 2012 before the a group called Race On assumed control of the race contract in February. Race On, which is headed by a pair of Baltimore businessmen, hired Andretti Sports Marketing LLC to oversee the event operation.

"Tim is world-renowned for his racing expertise, and we're thrilled to have him join our team in Baltimore," said Race On manager J.P. Grant. "Having managed the logistics behind highly successful race events in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, Tim is uniquely qualified to lead day-to-day operations as we prepare to host a pair of exceptional street races over Labor Day weekend."