Detroit Grand Prix

**stasu1213** · June-05-22, 10:43 AM

Why isn't the Grand Prix being televised on none cable networks this year?

**MikeM** · June-05-22, 12:05 PM

USA Network

**Pat001** · June-06-22, 05:57 PM

I watched it live. I do not remember what channel it was on.

**MikeM** · June-06-22, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Pat001

I watched it live. I do not remember what channel it was on.

Umm...it was on USA Network.

**Ray1936** · June-06-22, 06:04 PM

Hey, forgive me, but it's kind of boring. If they could combine the Grand Prix with roller derby, might be worth a look.

**Rocket** · June-06-22, 06:16 PM

^ I've always found street circuits boring.

Very little passing, and you can only see 1-2 turns from a grandstand seat.

I went the second year it was in Detroit, when it was F1. Keke Rossberg, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Niki Lauda, Rene Arnoux etc. AMAZING sound. You could tell what cars were coming by the engine note. V8's , V10's and V12's

Then I went to an Indy Car race in 2017, and was able to park right behind the grandstands thanks to a club I was in at the time. That was nice, but I don't think wouldn't do it again.

**Zacha341** · June-07-22, 07:20 PM

It [this year's race] seems to have come and gone with little fanfare.

I remember the early days when at College for Creative Studies the assignment was to create the best Grand Prix poster. It was a huge deal. We all went to the races downtown or at least Hart Plaza where the celebrations were also held.

**EastsideAl** · June-07-22, 09:19 PM

Actually there was quite a bit of passing in this year's race. Will Power won from the 16th starting position followed by Alexander Rossi who started 11th, in a close finish that saw Rossi come up just short after making up a big deficit in the closing laps. There were also very few minor accidents this year and no yellow flags. Indy Car drivers have learned over the years where they can pass successfully on the Belle Isle course and how to avoid the worst types of collisions despite hurtling between walls on both sides.

Next year though we get to see how they adjust to the new downtown track, which will be rather different from the one used by Formula 1 and then Indy Cars in the 1980s. It's also going to be shorter and probably faster than the Belle Isle circuit, with a long straight down Jefferson.

So bye-bye Belle Isle. I hope Mr. Penske takes his big patch of asphalt with him.

**Honky Tonk** · June-07-22, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by EastsideAl

So bye-bye Belle Isle. I hope Mr. Penske takes his big patch of asphalt with him.

I believe MDOT and the taxpayers of the State of MI paid for the track and the concrete paddock.

**EGrant** · June-09-22, 12:13 PM

Penske Corp. has been touting $13.5 million in Belle Isle infrastructure improvements, which I believe includes the paddock area. After a disastrous race in 2012 where the track was crumbling and they had to stop the race, I do know Penske paid for the track resurfacing without taxpayer $$.

I know they also fixed up the casino, fountain, bathrooms and lighting among other things, but I do believe many of the improvements were racing-specific. Would love to see a breakdown if anyone has it, though.

**Honky Tonk** · June-09-22, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by EGrant

Penske Corp. has been touting $13.5 million in Belle Isle infrastructure improvements, which I believe includes the paddock area. After a disastrous race in 2012 where the track was crumbling and they had to stop the race, I do know Penske paid for the track resurfacing without taxpayer $$.

I know they also fixed up the casino, fountain, bathrooms and lighting among other things, but I do believe many of the improvements were racing-specific. Would love to see a breakdown if anyone has it, though.

I understand this is propaganda from the opposing side, but there are some stats on their website.

https://sites.google.com/site/bellei...d-prix-excuses

https://sites.google.com/site/belleislegrandprixno/home

**EGrant** · June-10-22, 07:23 AM

That's good info, and does back up the idea that many of the improvements were focused on racing. I think you can have mixed feelings on this; I am happy Penske fixed up a bunch of things, but paving a ton of the island and shutting it down for up to two months was a net negative for Belle Isle. The city/state shouldn't have let it fall into disrepair in the first place, but that's a conversation for another thread.

Excited to see what the race looks like next year downtown.