Celebrating American Greatness With American Motor Racing
The order directs federal agencies to plan and authorize an INDYCAR street race near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. — called the Freedom 250 Grand Prix — to mark America's 250th anniversary of independence.
What this order does
What it orders
The order directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Transportation to designate a suitable race route through Washington, D.C., within 14 days. It instructs both secretaries to ensure all permits, approvals, and other authorizations needed to plan and conduct the Freedom 250 Grand Prix are issued as quickly as possible, including the option to classify the event as a "special event" under existing National Capital Region regulations.
The Secretary of Transportation is directed to use available funds to help facilitate the race and, working with the FAA Administrator, to ensure that permitted drone operators and aerial photographers can cover the event without compromising nearby government facilities. Both secretaries, coordinating with the Mayor of Washington, D.C., are also directed to ensure that any roads, trails, or bridges used for the course are properly maintained. The order does not create any enforceable rights and is subject to available appropriations.
Who it affects
The Department of the Interior and Department of Transportation are the primary directed parties. The FAA and the Mayor of Washington, D.C., have coordinating roles. INDYCAR race organizers, permitted drone and aerial photography operators, and spectators attending or viewing the race are also reached by the order's directives.
Why it matters
Federal land and transportation permitting processes — which can take months under normal timelines — are being fast-tracked to allow a motor race on streets near the National Mall. The Secretary of Transportation may also deploy existing federal funds to support the event's presentation.
What must happen and when
How the order is supposed to work
The route must be designated within 14 days; permitting then follows on an expedited basis. The Secretary of the Interior can invoke a pre-existing "special event" regulatory category to streamline National Park Service approvals. The FAA Administrator handles airspace access for permitted drone operators. Coordination with the D.C. mayor is required for road maintenance. The order has no enforcement mechanism beyond the directives themselves and is conditioned on available appropriations.
Actions and deadlines
- Designate a suitable INDYCAR street race route through Washington, D.C.
- Ensure all permits, approvals, and authorizations for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix are issued expeditiously
- Use available funds to help facilitate the presentation of the race
- Work with the FAA Administrator to authorize permitted aerial photography and drone use at the race
- Ensure race course roads, trails, and bridges are properly maintained and fit for racing use