Detroit Grand Prix

[Jay Auskin]

It was a cool experience. Got to get pretty close to the cars. Didn't get photos of pit road, but was pretty much able to stand right outside there too.

[Jay Auskin]

[Skytrooper]

Were you on the parking garage roof ?

I still prefer the old track

[Por_sha911]

Glad you enjoyed it but Belle Isle was so beautiful and IMO a much better layout

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Glad you enjoyed it but Belle Isle was so beautiful and IMO a much better layout

Yes it was and it wasn't even my favorite race. IDT racing in the alleys is a good show. Just as in Long Beach, there were many totally blind turns. The walls seemed higher so that the drivers wouldn't even see tire smoke.

Bad venue.

[Jay Auskin]

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

Were you on the parking garage roof ?

I still prefer the old track

Not the roof but about 4 levels up. I was across the street, and said, "Let's go there to see the straight away."

[Jay Auskin]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Glad you enjoyed it but Belle Isle was so beautiful and IMO a much better layout

Never went to it. Just the whole park and take a shuttle bus didn't interest me. I really enjoyed how accessible this race was from several locations.

[Otter74]

I love Detroit - I moved there in 1998 to go to CCS and lived in the city or GPP and spent most of my free time in the city until I moved to Chicago in 2008, and I’ve visited frequently since due to my people there. I only went to the Belle Isle race once, the first year - it was a nice course, but I really disliked the race for what it did to the park, particularly paving the area around Scott Fountain in a sea of concrete for the paddock. I care more about Belle Isle as a park than about a race there. A couple of my friends went to the race downtown last weekend, though I haven’t asked them about their experiences yet. But I like what I’ve seen (unlike the stupid NASCAR race here in Chicago). I might have gone if I hadn’t been off on my regularly scheduled trip flinging my 911 around mountains in PA.

[Jay Auskin]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I love Detroit - I moved there in 1998 to go to CCS and lived in the city or GPP and spent most of my free time in the city until I moved to Chicago in 2008, and I’ve visited frequently since due to my people there. I only went to the Belle Isle race once, the first year - it was a nice course, but I really disliked the race for what it did to the park, particularly paving the area around Scott Fountain in a sea of concrete for the paddock. I care more about Belle Isle as a park than about a race there. A couple of my friends went to the race downtown last weekend, though I haven’t asked them about their experiences yet. But I like what I’ve seen (unlike the stupid NASCAR race here in Chicago). I might have gone if I hadn’t been off on my regularly scheduled trip flinging my 911 around mountains in PA.

Completely agree. Belle Isle is a perpetually mismanaged gem. The race ruined it for a month and a half. As someone who occasionally works downtown, as does my wife this is much better.

Interesting...I'm a Chicago native who ended up in Detroit, you passed through Detroit and now are in Chicago?

[Lyle O]

Many of you guys may not remember (or weren't old enough), but the original Detroit GP was on the streets of Detroit, similar layout to this year, in 1982-1988, and was Formula 1. Drivers hated the course then because it was so rough, and there were lots of tight hair-pin turns. But it was very accessible, and fun for fans. In the first year (1982), I was there on Sunday early, and having breakfast in the Renaissance Center. I looked over at the table next to me, and there was Keke Rosberg, having his breakfast before the race. Very nice fellow.

[CurtEgerer]

^^^ Nice pics. This was at the first Det GP and shot from the roof of Cobo Hall looking down Jefferson (same street that the long straight is on in the current layout). The V12 Matra.

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by Jay Auskin

Completely agree. Belle Isle is a perpetually mismanaged gem. The race ruined it for a month and a half. As someone who occasionally works downtown, as does my wife this is much better.

Interesting...I'm a Chicago native who ended up in Detroit, you passed through Detroit and now are in Chicago?

I dunno, I think Belle Isle got much nicer once the state took over managing it as a state park. Seems well-run now, but all that concrete lingers. The NASCAR race is even worse than the race on Belle Isle, as it will disrupt downtown for a month and a half in the middle of summer. I don't have anything against NASCAR, but I don't think a race is good for the city.

I moved to Detroit after engineering school for art school; I got laid off from Chrysler in the crash at the end of 2007 and moved here for a relationship. I love Chicago, but Detroit will always have a big piece of my heart. I may go back next weekend for Eyes On Design at the Edsel Ford Estate.

The Cobo roof photo took me back a little - i used to do the Beat The Train ride sometimes early on Saturday mornings, and it always included a ride up the spiral ramp to the roof of the deck.