Organisers of the Mexican Grand Prix believe the event is on course to break the 350,000 mark for attendance over the race weekend this year, an increase of 14,000 from 2015.Mexicos memorable return to the calendar last year was widely praised after the event, with Niki Lauda saying the carnival-like atmosphere made it once of the best F1 races ever. The final sector, which weaves through an old baseball stadium and hosted the podium ceremony, was especially popular with fans and drivers alike.?New additions to the calendar have generally seen attendances drop away after the novelty of the first year has worn off. But with additional capacity added to the circuit this season Rodrigo Sanchez, the director of marketing and media relations for the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, thinks Mexico can buck that trend in 2016.?Last year we did 336,000... so if we can get to that 350,000 it would be amazing, Sanchez told ESPN when asked about expected attendance for this years event, which takes place on October 30. The preparations are pretty fantastic. We are just around the corner, around 47 days from the race, so everything is pretty good, going on schedule.We had the WEC [World Endurance Championship] race a couple of weeks back at the track, so basically were fully moving [our focus] to the track and all the loading, all the production, all that stuff. Its really going very well.After such a successful return race, the countrys first since 1992, Sanchez says the event organisers see no reason to make drastic changes this year.So far, were 93 percent sold out, so theres very few tickets left. I think the response of the public has been absolutely amazing. Its really nice to be 47 days out and only have to worry about seven percent of the inventory.The difference from this year to last year is why fix it if its not broken? Its about enhancing more of what we did last year and be able to provide fans with the right set of tools or circumstances for them to really express that very unique passion and replicate that very special event that we had last year.Sanchez believes the attendance will be boosted by the fact Mexico has two drivers on the grid instead of one, with Esteban Gutierrez set for his first home grand prix alongside Sergio Perez.?For sure, I think this is a special year. For the fans its going to be a treat to see two full-time Mexican drivers at the grand prix, so thats going to be great. The results Sergio has been having in the first half of the year have been absolutely amazing.We have a saying here that we go to church every Sunday hoping we can see another podium in Mexico! I think the world would be amazed at the reaction if one of our drivers really performed and really got on the podium. So were praying about that. Erik McCoy Saints Jersey Willie Roaf Saints Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. http://www.authenticsaintssportsonline.com/saints-erik-mccoy-gold-jersey/ . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Rickey Jackson Womens Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Wil Lutz Saints Jersey . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. EVANSTON, Ill. -- Vic Law had a career-high 18 points, Scottie Lindsey added 17 and Northwestern opened its fourth season under coach Chris Collins with a 94-63 rout of Mississippi Valley State on Friday night.For Law, it was a triumphant return after all of last season following shoulder surgery. He played in all 32 games (19 starts) as a freshman two years ago.It gave me a new appreciation for the game, Law said. Last year ... when we lost a tough one, I would think about what I could have done to make a difference.Sanjay Lumpkin, Bryant McIntosh and Isiah Brown had 11 points apiece as the Wildcats won their ninth straight season opener. McIntosh, the teams leading returning scorer, was just 1 for 6 on 3-pointers.Law made 7 of 10 from the field -- including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers -- but was just 1 for 7 from the free-throw line.Marcus Romain led Mississippi Valley State with 16 points on 5-for-8 shooting.I didnt like the way we played defense at the start of the game, MVSU coach Andre Payne said. We got after it a little better in the second half, but that start set us back.Northwestern grabbed a double-digit lead 6 1/2 minutes into the game and never looked back. The lead was 46-28 at halftime and MVS never threatened in the second half.That first game of the season is very difficult from an emotional standpoint, Collins said. For us to come out and play the way we did early, I was very impressed.BIG PICTUREMississippi Valley State: The Delta Devils were 8-27 llast season -- including a 6-12 mark in the SWAC -- and another long campaign seems likely.dddddddddddd. Romain, the second-leading scorer in the SWAC last season at 18.6 points, is a bright spot.Northwestern: Coming off a school-record 20 wins last season, the Wildcats begin with the goal of reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. To do so, theyll have to replace the leadership and production of Tre Demps, the leading-scorer last season at 15.7 points.THROW IT DOWNLaw announced his return with a steal in the backcourt and a flying dunk a few minutes into the game.I felt relief -- thats the emotion I felt, he said. It energized me for the rest of the game.BOUNCING BACKBrown, the heralded freshman from Seattle, was much better in the second half after playing just five first-half minutes from picking up two fouls. Hell be counted on as a spark off the bench to fill some of the void left by the departure of Demps.Hes the kind of guy that can change a game, Collins said of Brown. I think he was a real find for us.UP NEXTMississippi Valley State takes on a bigger challenge when it visits No. 20 West Virginia on Monday, the second of four road games to start the season.Northwestern has another tune-up game of sorts when it hosts Eastern Washington on Monday. EWU opened with a 70-47 win over Division III Linfield.. ' ' '
