The Detroit Grand Prix is a step closer to returning to the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule in 2019, following an agreement reached Friday with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) for the annual motorsports event to continue on Detroit’s Belle Isle Park for at least three more years.
Under the terms of the agreement, the grand prix – which has hosted 25 Indy cars races since 1992, including doubleheader race weekends since 2013 – will return to the 2.35-mile temporary street course on Belle Isle for three more years beginning in 2019, with an option for extending the agreement through 2023.
The 2019 race weekend is scheduled for May 31-June 2, though an agreement has not been finalized with INDYCAR, the sanctioning body for the Verizon IndyCar Series. Negotiations between INDYCAR and grand prix officials are ongoing.
“It is great to hear that the Detroit Grand Prix will be permitted to continue hosting races at Belle Isle,” an INDYCAR statement read. “Now work can begin in earnest to bring INDYCAR back to the Motor City.”
In discussions with the Michigan DNR, Detroit Grand Prix officials listened to public feedback on the future of the race over the past year, consulted with stakeholders and submitted a proposal to the MDNR on July 13 to continue the event on the island. The MDNR, which manages the operation of Belle Isle Park, responded to the proposal with suggested changes on July 20. The Grand Prix adjusted its proposal and on Friday reached an agreement to secure the future of the event.
Key changes under the new agreement will further reduce track build-out and post-event removal time on the island to 60 days in 2019 and 59 days in 2020 and 2021. This represents a reduction of five days from the total time spent on the island in 2018 and a 35-day reduction from 2015.
The Detroit Grand Prix will also increase its annual total contribution for hosting the event on Belle Isle from $200,000 to $450,000 for each year. This includes an annual $325,000 event fee and a contribution of $125,000 annually to be used by the MDNR for specific projects on Belle Isle. The Grand Prixmiere fundraiser, which has raised more than $4 million for the Belle Isle Conservancy over the last five years, will continue on Friday night of race weekend on Belle Isle.
“We are excited that the Detroit Grand Prix will continue at Belle Isle for the next several years and we want to thank the State of Michigan for working with us on this new agreement, as well as our partners with City of Detroit and the Belle Isle Conservancy,” said Bud Denker, chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix. “This event means so much to Detroit, to Windsor (Canada) and our entire community.
“We are proud to showcase the beauty of Belle Isle around the world every year and to make such a positive impact on the local economy with over $50 million in total spending generated annually as a result of the Grand Prix. Most importantly, we want to continue our goal of improving Belle Isle Park. The Grand Prix has made over $13.5 million in improvements on the island over the last decade and we know there’s still a lot more work that needs to be done. Our team looks forward to building on all of the positive momentum and being part of the remarkable renaissance going on at Belle Isle.”
