Chevrolet Grand Prix Returns to Belle Isle

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The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix returns to the Motor City from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 2 at the raceway at Belle Isle Park street circuit. The event will feature the cars of the Izod IndyCar Series, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, and the Pirelli World Challenge Series.

A total of five races will be held over the course of the Grand Prix race weekend, including the first-ever Izod IndyCar Series doubleheader, the Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans, with one race on Saturday and the second race on Sunday. The Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series will race on Saturday in the Chevrolet Grand-Am Detroit 200 presented by the Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers, and the Pirelli World Challenge will also host two races over the course of the weekend in the Cadillac V-Series Challenge presented by the Metro Detroit Cadillac Dealers.

Located just over the walkover Chevrolet Bridge is the Meijer Family Fun Zone with games, activities and displays for fans of all ages.  Radio Disney will have a display with slot car racing, face painting, and caricature drawings while fans can also learn more about the new movie Turbo about a snail who wants to win the Indianapolis 500. Fans ages 14 and up can do some racing of their own on the Quicken Loans Go-Kart track, located on a portion of the track from the 2012 Grand Prix layout.

The Detroit Pistons and Red Wings will have interactive displays within the Fun Zone, and a Pistons legend will visit the display on Friday while a Red Wings legend will be in the Fun Zone on Sunday. The IndyCar Fan Village will have unique displays and interactive events featuring some of the top drivers in the Izod IndyCar Series. The Fan Village will also host an all-driver autograph session from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sunday, while the Grand-Am Rolex Series drivers will host their autograph session from 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. on Saturday. The Pirelli World Challenge drivers will sign autographs for the fans near the Optima Battery Trailer in the Fun Zone from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on Sunday.

The MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage, located in the Meijer Family Fun Zone, will feature entertainment all weekend long at the Grand Prix.  The headline acts for the weekend include local Grammy-winning Detroit artist Dwele at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Bret Michaels of Poison at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and the Plain White T’s with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday.

There is no Grand Prix public parking available on Belle Isle during race weekend. Fans are encouraged to park in the identified Grand Prix lots located in downtown Detroit and use the Q-itUp! Grand Prix Shuttles powered by XYQ that include luxury coaches and buses. Event attendees can also use the Grand Prix ferry service from the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority to Belle Isle.

Since the Grand Prix returned to Belle Isle in 2007, event organizers have made over $7 million in lasting improvements to Belle Isle. These improvements include:

  • Installing over 100,000 square feet of new concrete and asphalt for road improvements and to enhance on-track competition
  • Repairing damaged lighting and drainage systems
  • Renovation of Scott Fountain and the Belle Isle Casino
  • Installing over 460,000 square feet of concrete for paddock area and fan interaction to provide a cleaner and more comfortable race experience
  • Installing new pedestrian bridges and playscapes
  • New concrete areas also be used by park visitors for parking and community events and activities year round

In addition to hosting the first-ever IndyCar Series doubleheader in the Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans, there are several other new features to the 2013 Grand Prix:

  • Extended race circuit to create more passing and excitement for fans. A ½-mile straightaway between Turns 2 and 3 has been added to the circuit and is sure to bring plenty of action.
  • In addition to the new straightaway, over 100,000 square feet of new road surface has been added to the Raceway at Belle Isle Park for the drivers to experience on race weekend and for visitors to the island to enjoy during the rest of the year.
  • The Quicken Loans Go-Kart track will offer fans an opportunity to do a little racing of their own during the weekend.

Tickets for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix are still available for both Saturday and Sunday and can be purchased online at DetroitGP.com, by calling 866-464-PRIX (7749), by visiting the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix office in the GM Renaissance Center, 300 Renaissance Center Drive, Suite 2311, Detroit, MI, through Thursday and at the ticket office on Belle Isle beginning Friday. Single-day tickets start as low as $25.

For all the latest news, photos, video and information on the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, visit www.DetroitGP.com.