Red Bull Races

[K-slice]

Anyone know why the race is being held in only Windsor this year? Last year if I remember the location was "Detroit riverfront" and the resources for the race were split up between the D and Windsor. This year I guess there will be no official race presence on this side of the river. Just seems like there will be people watching it from the Detroit side anyway, so why not set some stuff up and make it an event for Detroit too?

If this has been covered or answered point me in the right direction, I saw the first ad for it the other day and was surprised.

[gravitymachine]

same reason the detroit festival of the arts was cancelled and the belle isle grand prix was cancelled. no money

[raptor56]

The Mayor of Windsor heavily petitioned the Red Bull folks to bring the race back, since it was originally slated to skip us. Detroit didn't help, and had no money, so Windsor gets all the credit this year [[and rightfully so). Getting $3.2 mill from the Canadian Government to help offset the lack of sponsors also helped.
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Bull...493/story.html

[kraig]

We are going to have few stands set up, nothing too significant. The only thing the City of Detroit, as a public corporate body, provided last year was the Detroit City Airport and Hart Plaza. Unfortunately, Hart plaza was off the table, thanks to the Cobo mess, and Cockrel never bothered to negotiate or return calls to the Red Bull people. That's why we we're going to be skipped. The City of Windsor then stepped in and the rest is history.

[dcmorrison12]

same reason the detroit festival of the arts was cancelled and the belle isle grand prix was cancelled. no money

Before you start spreading rumors, let's clear something up. The Detroit Festival of the Arts is not being cancelled due to money issues. They are cancelling it because they are starting construction on the Midtown Loop

[leland_palmer]

Detroit had no money to support the race on their side of the river so Windsor's mayor went on a campaing to bring it back on his own. He even went to London to lobby for it.

Organizers and pilots were also complained about inadiquate security at City Airport.

I should add that there will still be viewing sections on the Detroit side. Everything will just be based in Windsor.

[FlyByDon]

As I remember, the city was only to supply police presence not security at the City Airport and police presence they did have in abundance. Security was the responsibility of the Red Bull promoter. Regarding the return of the race to Detroit this year. It was the lack of response from the mayor’s office and city council. Red Bull was all geared up for the return but couldn’t get a response.

Think of the race this year only in reverse from last. Windsor will host Detroit will be a good viewing point. Go enjoy the race.

[leland_palmer]

As I remember, the city was only to supply police presence not security at the City Airport and police presence they did have in abundance. Security was the responsibility of the Red Bull promoter.

I guess you could debate which security they were talking about...

Doug Guthrie
The Detroit News
February 4, 2009

While in Detroit last year, Red Bull's pilots and crews complained about their security in the neighborhoods surrounding their temporary headquarters, set up at Coleman A. Young International Airport.

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Regarding the return of the race to Detroit this year. It was the lack of response from the mayor’s office and city council. Red Bull was all geared up for the return but couldn’t get a response.

I remember when Red Bull went in front of Council to ask permission to charge admission on city property that the council claimed that they were never approached about the race prior to this request. I don't think it was mentioned if they approached the Mayor or not. Either way I doubt the city would have ponied up the $2.6M Ontario did for the event.