Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Another blow to Motor City: Detroit's Belle Isle Grand Prix reportedly iced for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/another-blow-to-motor-city-detroits-belle-isle-grand-prix-repo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/another-blow-to-motor-city-detroits-belle-isle-grand-prix-repo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/another-blow-to-motor-city-detroits-belle-isle-grand-prix-repo/#commentsFiled under:


Audi R10 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Roger Penske revived the Detroit Grand Prix in 2007, Michigan race fans turned out in droves and cheered the great job that was done on fixing up the Belle Isle facility. Over 100,000 people showed up for the Labor Day weekend races in both 2007 and 2008. Unfortunately, we all know what happened in the weeks and months following the 2008 event. As the toilet was again flushed on the Michigan economy, Detroit Grand Prix sponsors slashed spending and the prospect of past attendees being able to spend the money on tickets dwindled. As a result, the 2009 race was canceled.

Unfortunately, the prospects for Michigan still haven't recovered sufficiently, so race organizers have decided to wait yet another year before trying to revive the event. The current plan is for the racers to hit the island again in 2011. We'll see if the economy cooperates.


Gallery: Detroit Grand Prix 08: IndyCars


Gallery: Detroit Sports Car Challenge 08


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Detroit Grand Prix]

Another blow to Motor City: Detroit's Belle Isle Grand Prix reportedly iced for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroitdetroit belle isle grand prixdetroit grand prixdetroit grand prix canceledDetroitBelleIsleGrandPrixDetroitGrandPrixDetroitGrandPrixCanceledSun, 02 Aug 2009 15:34:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 Detroit Grand Prix cancelled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/2009-detroit-grand-prix-cancelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/2009-detroit-grand-prix-cancelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/2009-detroit-grand-prix-cancelled/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Detroit Sports Car Challenge

We've thoroughly enjoyed covering the Detroit Grand Prix in the last two years (2007 coverage, 2008 coverage), but it looks like this will be our last year at the event -- at least for a while. Roger Penske, who played a key role in returning racing to the Belle Isle Park circuit, announced that the race would not return in 2009, mainly due to the economic challenges plaguing Detroit. "There's no reason at this point to have an event that wouldn't be first-class," Penske told AutoWeek. This comes after a tough few weeks for the ALMS in which both Audi and Porsche announced they would be pulling their racing programs from the series. The ALMS schedule has now been reduced to ten races, with the IRL moving to seventeen.

Gallery: Detroit Grand Prix 08: IndyCars


Gallery: Detroit Sports Car Challenge 08


[Source: AutoWeek]

2009 Detroit Grand Prix cancelled originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Belle Isle Grand PrixBelleIsleGrandPrixDetroit Grand PrixDetroitGrandPrixThu, 18 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT - Detroit Grand Prix 2008: The IndyCars take to the track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/spoiler-alert-detroit-grand-prix-2008-the-indycars-take-to-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/spoiler-alert-detroit-grand-prix-2008-the-indycars-take-to-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/01/spoiler-alert-detroit-grand-prix-2008-the-indycars-take-to-th/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click on Helio Castroneves for a high res gallery

As the first season of the reunited IndyCar series winds down, the open wheel racers took to the Belle Isle track to close out the Detroit Grand Prix weekend. Scott Dixon sat on the pole holding a slim lead over Helio Castroneves in the season standings with three races to go including this one. If the race is still sitting on your DVR and you don't want to spoil the surprise, just enjoy the gallery for now, it won't spoil your appetite. Otherwise follow the jump for the results.

Gallery: Detroit Grand Prix 08: IndyCars


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT - Detroit Grand Prix 2008: The IndyCars take to the track

SPOILER ALERT - Detroit Grand Prix 2008: The IndyCars take to the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroit grand prixdetroit grand prix 2008DetroitGrandPrixDetroitGrandPrix2008indycarindycar racing leagueindycar seriesindycarracingleagueindycarsindycarseriesjustin wilsonJustinWilsonMon, 01 Sep 2008 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Grand Prix 08: The Detroit Sports Car Challenge (Spoiler Alert)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/31/detroit-grand-prix-08-the-detroit-sports-car-challenge-spoiler/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/31/detroit-grand-prix-08-the-detroit-sports-car-challenge-spoiler/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/31/detroit-grand-prix-08-the-detroit-sports-car-challenge-spoiler/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click the C6.R for a high-res gallery from the race

As part of the revival of the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle last year, the Detroit Sports Car Challenge was added as the highlight of Saturday's activities. The sports car race is back this year as the ninth round of the American Le Mans Series. For those who have never checked out an ALMS race, it's one of the best and most exciting forms of motorsport anywhere. Highcroft Racing's Acura ARX-01B captured the pole and led much of the first half of the race ahead of the De Ferran Racing Acura. If you TiVoed the race and don't want to ruin the surprise, you can just check out the gallery and come back later to see the full results after the jump. Otherwise, you know what to do.

Gallery: Detroit Sports Car Challenge 08


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Detroit Grand Prix 08: The Detroit Sports Car Challenge (Spoiler Alert)

Detroit Grand Prix 08: The Detroit Sports Car Challenge (Spoiler Alert) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsamerican le mansamerican le mans ser...american le mans seriesamerican lemans seriesAmericanLeMansAmericanLeMansSer...AmericanLeMansSeriesdetroit grand prixdetroit grand prix 2008DetroitGrandPrixDetroitGrandPrix2008Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The Postmortem]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-postmortem/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-postmortem/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-postmortem/#commentsFiled under:



After a five-year hiatus, motor racing returned to the Motor City this year and to a large extent it was a huge success. The race was revived in large part thanks to the efforts of Roger Penske. For many good reasons, the Detroit Grand Prix was roundly criticized in both of its previous iterations - on the downtown streets of Detroit and later on Belle Isle. As anyone who has ever paid any attention to Penske's racing or business efforts knows, the man never does anything half-assed.

If it's not worth doing well he doesn't do it all, and this year's race was no exception. The biggest criticisms of the Belle Isle track from the perspective of competitors used to be the fact it was a narrow course that made it nearly impossible to pass and a dearth of paved areas for the paddock. Teams had to lay down sheets of plywood to work on and when it rained the place turned into a mudpit.

Continue reading after the jump...





Continue reading Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The Postmortem

Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The Postmortem originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroit grand prixDetroitGrandPrixMon, 03 Sep 2007 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The people]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-people/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-people/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/03/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-people/#commentsFiled under: ,


Is this kid really old enough to drive 200 MPH?

One certainty about going to a big time car race is that you'll see people, usually lots of them. This year's Detroit Grand Prix was no exception, thanks in part to almost perfect weather. Unlike a Formula One race, at an IRL race you can wander around the paddock if you have a pass and spot drivers, owners, fans and washed up rock stars turned reality TV stars (and BTW, who is that blond accompanying him because it sure isn't Shannon Tweed).

Check out the gallery for a sample.

Gallery: Detroit GP 2007: The People

Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The people originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroit grand prixDetroitGrandPrixpeopleMon, 03 Sep 2007 12:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The IRL on Belle Isle - And they're off!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-irl-on-belle-isle-and-theyre-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-irl-on-belle-isle-and-theyre-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/detroit-grand-prix-2007-the-irl-on-belle-isle-and-theyre-off/#commentsFiled under:


Castroneves leads Franchitti into turn 1, click for more

The first IRL race at Belle Isle in Detroit is underway and twenty laps in pole sitter Helio Castroneves Castro Neves still leads Andretti-Green's Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan. The cars are flying under the bright sunshine here in the middle of the Detroit River. Roger Penske ordered up perfect weather for this event.

Update: Results after the jump

Gallery: Detroit GP 2007: IRL race action

Continue reading Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The IRL on Belle Isle - And they're off!

Detroit Grand Prix 2007: The IRL on Belle Isle - And they're off! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detroit grand prixDetroitGrandPrixindy racing leagueIndyRacingLeagueSun, 02 Sep 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Grand Prix 2007: IRL Sunday morning warmup photos]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/detroit-grand-prix-2007-irl-sunday-morning-warmup/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/detroit-grand-prix-2007-irl-sunday-morning-warmup/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/detroit-grand-prix-2007-irl-sunday-morning-warmup/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click the photo of polesitter Helio Castroneves for more warmup shots

The IndyCars just finished up their final warmup for todays' race on Belle Isle. Helio Castroneves ended up on top of the session, with Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti swapping their qualifying positions, coming in second and third respectively. The teams are now heading back to the paddock to finish their final preparations before they lineup on the grid at 2:30 this afternoon. 21 photos from the session can be seen in the attached gallery below.

Gallery: Detroit GP 2007: IRL Warmup

Detroit Grand Prix 2007: IRL Sunday morning warmup photos originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingdetroit grand prixDetroitGrandPrixindy racing leagueIndyRacingLeagueSun, 02 Sep 2007 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[2007 Detroit Grand Prix: ALMS Pit Lane Walk]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/2007-detroit-grand-prix-alms-pit-lane-walk/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/2007-detroit-grand-prix-alms-pit-lane-walk/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/2007-detroit-grand-prix-alms-pit-lane-walk/#commentsFiled under:



Since it began in the late nineties, the American Le Mans Series has made an effort to reach out to fans. One of the more popular activities during ALMS weekends is the grid walkthrough. They bring the cars out to the grid one hour before the green flag and then they open the grid to all fans. The crews and drivers all gather by the cars and fans stroll through and get close-up looks at all the racers. Check out the gallery for many shots of the cars and assorted other views.

Gallery: 2007 Detroit GP: ALMS Grid

2007 Detroit Grand Prix: ALMS Pit Lane Walk originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ALMSdetroit grand prixDetroitGrandPrixSat, 01 Sep 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from the Detroit Grand Prix 2007]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/live-from-the-detroit-grand-prix-2007/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/live-from-the-detroit-grand-prix-2007/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/live-from-the-detroit-grand-prix-2007/#commentsFiled under:



Autoblog is live at the Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle this morning. We're hanging out at the Acura Chalet this weekend as the track action has kicked off for the day. The IRL cars have already been out for a couple of practice sessions and the American Le Mans Series cars are doing their final pre-race warm-up right now. Keep checking back all weekend for more updates and lots of photos.

In qualifying for the ALMS race on Friday factory Porsches of the Penske team dominated the front row with the Acuras and Dyson Porsche filling in the next two rows. The big dog Audi R10s could only manage to get to the fourth row on the grid. As usual the Corvettes took the top spots for GT1 cars with the Risi Ferraris taking GT2

Gallery: 2007 Detroit Grand Prix: ALMS



Gallery: 2007 Detroit Grand Prix: IRL

Live from the Detroit Grand Prix 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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