Start Your Engines! Detroit Grand Prix Races Are On
BELLE ISLE (WWJ) - The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is in full swing, with the second day of races on Saturday.
The weekend will feature the cars of the IZOD IndyCar Series, the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, the Firestone Indy Lights Series and the Pirelli World Challenge Championship Series.
Drivers will take the 2.1 mile track, passing through 14 turns to the delight of race fans who have waited four years for the Grand Prix to return to Detroit.
Below is the basic schedule of events for the 2012 Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.
Friday, June 1
- IZOD IndyCar Series practice, GRAND-AM Rolex Series practice and qualifying, Pirelli World Challenge Series practice, Firestone Indy Lights Series practice
Saturday, June 2
- IZOD IndyCar Series practice and qualifying, GRAND-AM Rolex Series practice and race, Pirelli World Challenge Series qualifying and race #1, Firestone Indy Lights Series qualifying, IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights autograph session
Sunday, June 3
- IZOD IndyCar Series race, Pirelli World Challenge Series race #2, Firestone Indy Lights race
See a full schedule of events (.pdf format)
Helio Castroneves won his first race in Detroit, and is hoping for the same this year.
"For me, it's great... I've had a great experience here, a great memory, my first win ever in the IndyCar series was here so, I'm really, really excited to be back and hopefully we have another win," said Castroneves.
Indianapolis 500 pole sitter Ryan Briscoe said he's really been looking forward to racing in the Motor City.
"I'm super excited about the race. Bringing IndyCar back to Detroit and Belle Isle, it's great for the city, with Chevrolet, it's huge for us and for them... we've got these partnerships and I think it's all good for the city and the tourism of the city," said Briscoe.
Briscoe said he took some extra steps to get ready for the race in Detroit.
"It's a very different style race, you know, from the high speed oval of Indianapolis to the straight course of Belle Isle, a very different style of driving and set up, but we love the street courses," said Briscoe.
So, what are the drivers doing in Detroit when they aren't on the track?
"We go to night clubs, we have a good time, you know, drink a lot, get really trashed," Castroneves said with a laugh. "No, just kidding, actually I won't do that. But, all jokes aside, we go to the restaurants, unfortunately we would like to be more going out, but we have so many committments with our sponsors... so we don't spend much time, but it's great to be back."
For more information, visit www.DetroitGP.com.
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