Detroit Officials Pave Way for Grand Prix Return

[Searay215]

Did not see a post on this and wondered how we all missed this? Like him or hate him Roger Penske is the one you can thank or not for this. Personally I think its great.....time to get back to more events in Detroit and show case the good things that are happening here. Not to mention I am a Indy car fan and just glad they are back.

http://detnews.com/article/20110916/...335/1047/rss20

[eastland]

For the sake of Belle Isle, I hope it doesn't return.

[MojoRacer]

Yeah, if the GP comes back someone will clean up all the po chip bags and chicken bones on the island. Don't want to see that happen, keep Belle Isle the jewel that it is!

For the sake of Belle Isle, I hope it doesn't return.

[eastland]

Yeah, if the GP comes back someone will clean up all the po chip bags and chicken bones on the island. Don't want to see that happen, keep Belle Isle the jewel that it is!

Belle Isle is a jewel, even in its current state. People should turn off NASCAR and go experience it sometime.

[401don]

Never understood the whole road course racing thing. You pay to sit in one spot and miss 95% of the race.

[muskie1]

I went to every one when it was downtown, it was a huge international event when F1 raced here. I would book a hotel and stay Wed-Monday. The great thing about being downtown was the ability to walk off the course and sample the local attractions and food. Once Indy car arrived the international flavor was gone but still a great time.

The move to Belle Isle ,while needed, was terrible. I did not like all the fact that you were stuck in the venue and paying top dollar for terrible food and drink. I only made two races on the island and had enough. Even when I got free tickets I hated the event there and never returned. The event does less for the city than any of the sports events do. Most people come and watch the race and leave with no desire to see Detroit.

I miss it being downtown and all the great places I got to explore.

[313WX]

Most people come and watch the race and leave with no desire to see Detroit.

On the other hand, in order to enter/leave Belle Isle, they're forced to drive through the neighborhoods, and they quickly learn that things are not as bad as they thought [[still bad, but not as bad).

Problem with downtown is they can just hop on the freeway entrance and exit without actually traveling more an a mile through the city.

[eastland]

On the other hand, in order to enter/leave Belle Isle, they're forced to drive through the neighborhoods, and they quickly learn that things are not as bad as they thought [[still bad, but not as bad).

Problem with downtown is they can just hop on the freeway entrance and exit without actually traveling more an a mile through the city.

Other than Lafayette Park, there really isn't a neighborhood to drive through to get to Belle Isle, unless you're driving from the Pointes.

[Gistok]

Other than Lafayette Park, there really isn't a neighborhood to drive through to get to Belle Isle, unless you're driving from the Pointes.

How about that neighborhood of former stately homes, duplexes and nursing homes along E. Grand Blvd.?

[313WX]

Other than Lafayette Park, there really isn't a neighborhood to drive through to get to Belle Isle, unless you're driving from the Pointes.

Unless they're westsiders or live downtown, I doubt many people would head towards downtown [[on Jefferson) to leave Belle Isle.

[detroitsgwenivere]

On belle isle or not, i'll just be happy if it comes back. Bake in the sun all day, drink crappy beer, watch cars go in a circle. YEEEEE HAAAAWW!!

[Novine]

Maybe Penske can show that he can do more than pave over the island by making sure the Scott Fountain is repaired and working by the time of the race.

[pkbroch]

Maybe Penske can show that he can do more than pave over the island by making sure the Scott Fountain is repaired and working by the time of the race.

Amen to that!

[MojoRacer]

On belle isle or not, i'll just be happy if it comes back. Bake in the sun all day, drink crappy beer, watch cars go in a circle. YEEEEE HAAAAWW!!

It's not a circle, but I am sure you flunked geometry anyway....

[Gistok]

It's not a circle, but I am sure you flunked geometry anyway....

I think that anyone with half a brain knows what she meant.... oh wait.... sorry... I guess the nuance of abstraction is lost on some...

[detroitsgwenivere]

It's not a circle, but I am sure you flunked geometry anyway....

WoW. Really?

At least I don't confuse DYes with the Freep comment section...

[animatedmartian]

Wikipedia says that the original downtown circuit wasn't economically viable and Belle Isle was supposed to be temporary. Would they ever be able [[or want) to go back to downtown? It definitely wouldn't be the same track with the riverfront built up and all.

[szla]

I dont have any problem with the race per se. What I hate is a 10 acre parking lot attached to the fountain.

[Scottathew]

For those of you wondering what the course looks like:

[Jimaz]

detroitgp.com

HiRes PDF of the above map:http://detroitgp.racersites.com/assets/trackmap.pdf

[Flintoid]

The BIGP brought a ton of money to the city and brought renovations from sponsors to park equipment, playgrounds, etc. They repaved roads and improved the island's infrastructure. This race would be a blessing to return!

[Gistok]

The Scott Fountain Lagoon looked like a swamp when I saw it 2 weeks ago...

[riviera]

Is it possible that Nascar could be brought to Belle Isle at some stage?

Or does the South Michigan track have a monopoly on it?

[Malcove Magnesia]

Oh please. Take the Prix back downtown and have race cars occasionally colliding into office buildings and stuff.

Demolition should be more fun than the boredom Adamo brings.

[louis]

when you said grand prix i thought F1, now thats a race we should work on bringing back to Detroit!