Crews were out cleaning Belle Isle on Tuesday in advance of the Detroit Grand Prix’s (https://www.facebook.com/detroitgp & https://www.facebook.com/chevrolet) comeback June 1-3.
After a four-year absence, the race is returning and upgrades are under way to Belle Isle to prepare the 2.1-mile, 14-turn raceway.
The transformation of the park into a world-class racing and entertainment facility began last month, race officials said, with the construction of barrier walls, grandstands and flooring.
More than 50,000 feet of temporary fencing will arrive on the island in mid-May and put in place around the race venue.
The raceway also will feature 27 miles of safety cabling, and more than 12,000 tires will be delivered to make up the temporary barrier walls used on race weekend.
The final pieces will be put in place during the last week of May when competitors arrive on the island with more than 200 race transporters, motor coaches and hospitality units.
The race is to be shown live on ABC a week after the Indianapolis 500.
Belle Isle will host four races that weekend, including the Chevrolet Indy Grand Prix, the Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Challenge, the Cadillac V-Series Challenge and the Firestone Indy Light Series.
IndyCar races were held on Belle Isle from 1990-2001 and in both 2007 and 2008. Detroit also hosted Formula One races downtown in the 1980s. Officials estimated the Grand Prix in 2007 and 2008 attracted more than 200,000 visitors and contributed more than $100 million to the region’s economy.
[Source: DetroitNews.com]
