BALTIMORE (WJZ)--A hot ticket. Baltimore's first ever Grand Prix races are still nine months away, but ticket sales are already in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Weijia Jiang has more about the overwhelming response and when you can get your ticket.

At speeds of more than 180 mph, race cars will take over Baltimore on Labor Day weekend, and fanatics from around the world are already shelling out cash for a chance to see it.

"Frankly the response has been overwhelming," said Jay Davidson, Baltimore Grand Prix CEO. "The first hour, our server was knocked offline."

Davidson said on Wednesday 6,100 tickets sold in a 2-hour presale, adding up to $650,000.

The sale was then extended by a day. Now more than 10,000 tickets are spoken for.

In fact, the online presale was so successful organizers pushed up the date to start selling regular tickets on the website-- just in time for the holidays.

"We assume that for three days we won't be able to go anywhere but the race," said Bill Reuter. "But I'm going to the race."

Reuter has a front-row seat by default. He lives in Pigtown next to the course which will run down Pratt, Light and West Conway Streets, and around Camden Yards. Fans can watch from a number of viewing locations on the track, depending on the type of ticket bought.

They range from $25-160 for general admission and up to $895 for a premium seat.

Reuter and his wife started a Facebook page to build excitement. Hundreds of people are fans eager for speed in September.

"If you blink you're just gonna miss it I guess. You stand in one spot, the cars go flying by," said Sharon Reuter.

About 35,000 tickets are available for each of the three days of racing, but they are expected to go fast. Get yours online starting next Thursday, Dec. 16.

 The event is expected to draw more than 100,000 people to town, and generate $11 million in tax revenue.