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