The City of Detroit Welcomes the Return of World-Class Auto Racing

The return of world-class auto racing to the Motorthe only one in the city, and a nature center.
City provided edge-of-the-seat excitement in 2007.The Belle Isle aquarium opened in 1904, making it the
Enhanced competition on the racetrack coupled witholdest public aquarium in the United States.
more entertainment options and increased fanLandscaped by famed landscape architect Frederick L.
comfort features, makes the Grand Prix an evenOlmsted, the highlights of Belle Isle are the aquarium,
hotter ticket event in 2008.Scott Fountain and the botanical garden in the Anna
The 2007 event drew more than 100,000 fansScrips Whitcomb Conservatory. Belle Isle was also
flocking to Belle Isle over Labor Day weekend. Buthome to a large herd of European fallow deer for
event planners are raising the bar even higher whenmore than 50 years. A few remain as exhibits at the
it comes to the 2008 event, which include live musicalnature center, but the last of the 300 animals was
entertainment, special discounts and weekendcaptured in 2004 and relocated.
packages to make the event accessible to familiesOn Friday, Free Prix Day, guests enjoy practice and
and die-hard race fans. In addition, improvements toqualifying runs for the American Le Mans and IndyCar
grandstand seating and transportation service off andSeries. Throughout the day, Meijer Fun Zone activities
on the island are also in the works.will be available. After 4:30 p.m., guests may gather at
The Grand Prix delivers value for the entertainmentFirestone Paddock for Happy Hour. Saturday's events
with tickets, on average, remaining virtually the samekick off with warm-up and race events for the
as they were over a decade ago for world-classAmerican Le Mans Series, followed by practice and
auto racing in the city of Detroit. Keeping with aqualifying for the IndyCar Series. Driver autograph
Grand Prix tradition in Detroit, Friday is Free Prix Day,sessions for both series and a post-race concert
where everyone is admitted free of charge. Specialbring the day to an exciting conclusion. Sunday's
Motor City Club hospitality packages are alsohighlight is the 90-lap IndyCar Series warm-up and
available, featuring reserved grandstand seating,race. More family fun activities will be featured, along
paddock pass, a program and hat, as well as accesswith an IndyCar Fan Forum and post-race concert.
to premiere food and beverage service at the MotorThroughout the weekend, Corvette enthusiasts
City Club chalet.gather together with fellow Corvette owners and
The 982-acre island in the Detroit River, Belle Islecollectors to enjoy a display with more than 300
became home to the Detroit Grand Prix fromCorvettes during the Corvette Car Corral. Single and
1992-2001, utilizing a temporary street circuit thattwo-day ticket packages are available for purchase
was constructed specifically for the CART races. Inand are offered exclusively to Corvette owners.
2007, it once again hosted world-class racing withIn attending the Belle Isle Grand Prix, attendees will
both the open-wheel cars of the IndyCar Series andalso be doing their part to help a true Detroit
the sports cars of the American Le Mans Seriestreasure - Belle Isle Park. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand
competing in the event.Prix is being organized and promoted by a subsidiary
Connected by the MacArthur Bridge, various entitiesof the Downtown Detroit Partnership whose
call Belle Isle home, including the Dossin Great Lakeschairman is Roger Penske. This charitable organization
Museum, the Detroit Boat Club, the Detroit Yachthas been established to enable the net proceeds of
Club, a golf course, aquarium, and Coast Guard post.the Grand Prix to fund measures to preserve and
The island also includes a half-mile swimming beach,improve Belle Isle.