“I want to thank all of the fans that have supported the 2007 and 2008 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix events. 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. If the economic conditions improve, we hope to be able to bring the event back to Detroit in the summer of 2010,” announced Bud Denker, Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix event chairman.
The race has been part of IRL's schedule for the past two years thanks to Roger Penske's massive investment in terms of infrastructure and track paving. The Downtown Detroit Partnership, whose chairman is Penske himself, invested more than $7 million during the past two years.
“The economic environment that our region, state and country faces, both today and in 2009, is difficult. 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,” admitted Penske after making the announcement.
“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,” added IndyCar president Terry Angstadt.
Under these circumstances, Surfers Paradise might re-enter the race to host an IndyCar event next season, as a new date was released for the 2009 schedule. Other potential stops for the series next year are Utah, Nashville and Portland.
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