| The return of world-class auto racing to the Motor | | | | the 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 with | | | | oldest public aquarium in the United States. |
| more entertainment options and increased fan | | | | Landscaped by famed landscape architect Frederick L. |
| comfort features, makes the Grand Prix an even | | | | Olmsted, 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 fans | | | | Scrips Whitcomb Conservatory. Belle Isle was also |
| flocking to Belle Isle over Labor Day weekend. But | | | | home to a large herd of European fallow deer for |
| event planners are raising the bar even higher when | | | | more than 50 years. A few remain as exhibits at the |
| it comes to the 2008 event, which include live musical | | | | nature center, but the last of the 300 animals was |
| entertainment, special discounts and weekend | | | | captured in 2004 and relocated. |
| packages to make the event accessible to families | | | | On Friday, Free Prix Day, guests enjoy practice and |
| and die-hard race fans. In addition, improvements to | | | | qualifying runs for the American Le Mans and IndyCar |
| grandstand seating and transportation service off and | | | | Series. 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 entertainment | | | | Firestone Paddock for Happy Hour. Saturday's events |
| with tickets, on average, remaining virtually the same | | | | kick off with warm-up and race events for the |
| as they were over a decade ago for world-class | | | | American Le Mans Series, followed by practice and |
| auto racing in the city of Detroit. Keeping with a | | | | qualifying 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. Special | | | | bring the day to an exciting conclusion. Sunday's |
| Motor City Club hospitality packages are also | | | | highlight 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 access | | | | with an IndyCar Fan Forum and post-race concert. |
| to premiere food and beverage service at the Motor | | | | Throughout the weekend, Corvette enthusiasts |
| City Club chalet. | | | | gather together with fellow Corvette owners and |
| The 982-acre island in the Detroit River, Belle Isle | | | | collectors to enjoy a display with more than 300 |
| became home to the Detroit Grand Prix from | | | | Corvettes during the Corvette Car Corral. Single and |
| 1992-2001, utilizing a temporary street circuit that | | | | two-day ticket packages are available for purchase |
| was constructed specifically for the CART races. In | | | | and are offered exclusively to Corvette owners. |
| 2007, it once again hosted world-class racing with | | | | In attending the Belle Isle Grand Prix, attendees will |
| both the open-wheel cars of the IndyCar Series and | | | | also be doing their part to help a true Detroit |
| the sports cars of the American Le Mans Series | | | | treasure - 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 entities | | | | of the Downtown Detroit Partnership whose |
| call Belle Isle home, including the Dossin Great Lakes | | | | chairman is Roger Penske. This charitable organization |
| Museum, the Detroit Boat Club, the Detroit Yacht | | | | has 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. |