Too bad this race was scheduled near the time of the NASCAR weekend in Montreal, or it would have been a slam dunk to move it to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to fill the F1 void. I still wouldn't be surprised to see some movement in the IndyCar sked to put a race there before July... GM)
From IndyCar.com
By Dave Lewandowski
Terry Angstadt, president of the Indy Racing League's commercial division, said the sanctioning body will review venues to fill the void on the 2009 IndyCar Series schedule after officials for the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix announced that the event will not be held because of difficult economic conditions.
He's also hopeful that the event on Belle Isle will return in 2010.
"The economic environment that our region, state and country faces, both today and in 2009, is difficult," said Roger Penske, Chairman of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. "It is unfortunate that we must postpone the 2009 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix as sponsorship opportunities and support has proven to be very challenging for the event in the near term."
The IndyCar Series has competed on the island circuit the past two years, with Tony Kanaan and Justin Wilson winning races in front of large and enthusiastic crowds.
"This is unfortunate news but something that Roger Penske and his group have kept us abreast of for some time," Angstadt said. "The people of Detroit welcomed the IndyCar Series with impressive crowds the past two years and we support the Detroit Grand Prix's efforts for a possible return in 2010.
"The current economic climate is a challenge for all of us but as we look ahead to 2009 and beyond we remain bullish on the opportunities ahead for the unified IndyCar Series. There is little doubt that the IndyCar Series offers considerable value opportunities for current and potential partners of the series and its teams and tracks.
"Any decision on what we might do with a valuable asset like a Labor Day race weekend either short or long-term will not be decided upon quickly."
The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation and a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. All net proceeds raised by the event fund measures to preserve and improve Belle Isle.
More than $7 million in infrastructure improvements have been made to Belle Isle since the return of the Grand Prix, including the paving of roadways, repairing or replacing damaged lighting and drainage, landscaping, the renovation of the Belle Isle Casino and Scott Fountain and the installation of pedestrian bridges, children's playgrounds and irrigation systems on the island.
According to a joint study conducted this year by the event and the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Grand Prix generated more than $55.2 million in economic impact for metropolitan Detroit in 2008 and another $12.8 million in direct spending throughout Detroit and its surrounding tri-county area.
This year's study by the DMCVB also revealed the Grand Prix helped attract thousands of visitors to the area as 28 percent of event attendees came to Detroit from outside the tri-county region and 52 percent of those visitors came from outside of Michigan.
"I want to thank all of the fans that have supported the 2007 and 2008 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix events," said Bud Denker, Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix event chairman. "Over 100,000 people attended each of the past two Grand Prix races and we are hopeful we can extend the excitement of world-class racing on Belle Isle in the future.
"We also want to thank the City of Detroit, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the City of Windsor for their partnerships. The Grand Prix would not have been possible without the support of more than 50 corporations including Bridgestone/Firestone, Bosch, Comerica Bank, General Motors, Meijer, Caesars Windsor, Charter One Bank, Pepsi, MGM Grand Detroit and many others. Finally, the over 1,000 Grand Prix volunteers were the best ambassadors of any race in North America and we say thanks to them.
"If the economic conditions improve, we hope to be able to bring the event back to Detroit in the summer of 2010."
By Dave Lewandowski
Terry Angstadt, president of the Indy Racing League's commercial division, said the sanctioning body will review venues to fill the void on the 2009 IndyCar Series schedule after officials for the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix announced that the event will not be held because of difficult economic conditions.
He's also hopeful that the event on Belle Isle will return in 2010.
"The economic environment that our region, state and country faces, both today and in 2009, is difficult," said Roger Penske, Chairman of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. "It is unfortunate that we must postpone the 2009 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix as sponsorship opportunities and support has proven to be very challenging for the event in the near term."
The IndyCar Series has competed on the island circuit the past two years, with Tony Kanaan and Justin Wilson winning races in front of large and enthusiastic crowds.
"This is unfortunate news but something that Roger Penske and his group have kept us abreast of for some time," Angstadt said. "The people of Detroit welcomed the IndyCar Series with impressive crowds the past two years and we support the Detroit Grand Prix's efforts for a possible return in 2010.
"The current economic climate is a challenge for all of us but as we look ahead to 2009 and beyond we remain bullish on the opportunities ahead for the unified IndyCar Series. There is little doubt that the IndyCar Series offers considerable value opportunities for current and potential partners of the series and its teams and tracks.
"Any decision on what we might do with a valuable asset like a Labor Day race weekend either short or long-term will not be decided upon quickly."
The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation and a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. All net proceeds raised by the event fund measures to preserve and improve Belle Isle.
More than $7 million in infrastructure improvements have been made to Belle Isle since the return of the Grand Prix, including the paving of roadways, repairing or replacing damaged lighting and drainage, landscaping, the renovation of the Belle Isle Casino and Scott Fountain and the installation of pedestrian bridges, children's playgrounds and irrigation systems on the island.
According to a joint study conducted this year by the event and the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Grand Prix generated more than $55.2 million in economic impact for metropolitan Detroit in 2008 and another $12.8 million in direct spending throughout Detroit and its surrounding tri-county area.
This year's study by the DMCVB also revealed the Grand Prix helped attract thousands of visitors to the area as 28 percent of event attendees came to Detroit from outside the tri-county region and 52 percent of those visitors came from outside of Michigan.
"I want to thank all of the fans that have supported the 2007 and 2008 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix events," said Bud Denker, Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix event chairman. "Over 100,000 people attended each of the past two Grand Prix races and we are hopeful we can extend the excitement of world-class racing on Belle Isle in the future.
"We also want to thank the City of Detroit, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the City of Windsor for their partnerships. The Grand Prix would not have been possible without the support of more than 50 corporations including Bridgestone/Firestone, Bosch, Comerica Bank, General Motors, Meijer, Caesars Windsor, Charter One Bank, Pepsi, MGM Grand Detroit and many others. Finally, the over 1,000 Grand Prix volunteers were the best ambassadors of any race in North America and we say thanks to them.
"If the economic conditions improve, we hope to be able to bring the event back to Detroit in the summer of 2010."
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