Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix

[mdh218]

Anyone going? We've got 3 day super tickets with paddock passes. Enjoyed the previous Belle Isle races (miss the downtown ones though, that was a blast) and hoping this becomes a regular event (sponsors/money/city issues always come up obviously).

If you haven't been before and are going, let me know too...I have some helpful hints for photos and food stops.

[FastFreddie]

I'm going, neighbor got some free tickets. What are some of the hints?

[mdh218]

for Sunday/Indy cars: If you enjoy up CLOSE pics of the cars moving out onto the track (instead of just sitting in the paddock if you have passes or from your seats as they zoom by), there is a spot on the grass with shade that you can sit on the curb/stand behind those sitting to take pics or video as the cars are rolled out of the paddock onto the pits. open to the public/no paddock pass needed. the area is between the fountain area and pit row, at the west end of the grand stands/pit row (to your far right when looking at the grand stands/start finish line on the course map on their website). each car comes out one at a time with a few car lengths between each one. you get a real good shot of each car and several team members. literally 2 or 3 feet from where you sit/stand. while yes, the paddock passes let you see them, behind roped stalls, this is a chance to see them on the ground, moving. unless of course you have pit passes

autographs: with no Danica, the autograph area won't be 2+ hour lines (just for her i mean), so it may be easier to get into the area and get some. it just wasn't worth it in the past

free music: well done, good location so if you enjoy any of the bands playing this year it will be a good time. if you are tired and want to relax before the show, there are several picnic tables near the stage, just have to get their early.

food: oddly enough, the food with the least lines are the ones behind the center grandstand at the start/finish line. the bathrooms back there seem to be cleaner too. you must cross the paddock bridge to get over there (your paddock pass gets surrendered for a wrist band). however, you can just turn right (toward the seating) over the paddock bridge and not go to the paddock area. is it worth it? if you are going over their sunday to take photos why not?

lanyard: not a fan of them for stadium events, as they always hit my drinks/food...but it is much easier for racing events cause you walk all over the place to see/do things (at least i do). makes it easier for everyone if it is out in the open.

schedule: print the daily schedule so you don't miss things you want to see. they don't announce things on loud speakers or anything when "event x" starts or "this thing over here starts".

paddock: get the passes, worth it. you see all the drivers, teams and some celebrities. fun people watching too.

cash: bring enough. avoid the ATMs if you can. usually run out and have long lines.

[mdh218]

obviously: the above written hints were based on the last 2 race weekends in 2007 and 2008 and subject to change for this year's race weekend

[mdh218]

new parking/bus locations this year too.

in the past, we always used The Henry Ford but because of lack of use, they aren't doing that this year. only parking/bus locations are down by cobo/joe louis and GM center. i'm probably going to do the surface lots on jeffereson by the joe

[snydergb]

So we just picked up some G/A tickets for Saurday. We cant stay for the race on Sunday though i wish we could

[phillyfan]

Just got invited to go Saturday night. I'm not sure what is even going on there saturday night.

[mdh218]

We have to leave early on Saturday as well, for Baconfest in Royal Oak

Full Schedule:

Friday, June 1, 2012
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
8:00 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. Pirelli World Challenge Practice (GT/GTS)
8:35 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. GRAND-AM Rolex Series Practice
10:55 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights Practice
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Series Practice
1:20 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. GRAND-AM Rolex Series Practice
2:40 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Practice
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Series Practice
5:05 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. GRAND-AM Rolex Series Qualifying
6:00 p.m. – 6:20 p.m. Pirelli World Challenge Practice (GT/GTS)
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels Concert on the MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage

Saturday, June 2, 2012
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights Qualifying
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. IZOD IndyCar Series Practice
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Pirelli World Challenge Qualifying (GT/GTS)
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights Drivers Meeting
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. GRAND-AM Rolex Series Final Practice
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Series Qualifying & Firestone Fast 6
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Pirelli World Challenge Drive Autograph Session (Optima Battery Display)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. GRAND-AM Rolex Series Drivers Autograph Session
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Pre-race
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights Race
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Drivers Autograph Session – Group 1 (IndyCar Fan Village – Meijer Family Fun Zone)
2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Cadillac V-Series Challenge presented by Metro Detroit Cadillac Dealers
4:15 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Fan Walk
4:55 p.m. – 5:05 p.m. GRAND-AM Rolex Series Reconnaissance and Pace Car Laps
5:05 p.m. – 7:05 p.m. Chevrolet GRAND-AM 200 at Belle Isle presented by Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers
7:05 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. GRAND-AM Rolex Series Post-Race Ceremonies
7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The B-52’s Concert on the MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage

Sunday, June 3, 2012
7:30 a.m. Gates Open
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Catholic Mass
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Pirelli World Challenge Qualifying (GT/GTS)
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Non-denominational Chapel Service
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. IndyCar Experience (2-seater) and Pace Car Rides
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. IZOD IndyCar Series Warm-up
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cadillac V-Series Challenge presented by Metro Detroit Cadillac Dealers
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Drivers Autograph Session – Group 2 (IndyCar Fan Village – Meijer Family Fun Zone)
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. IndyCar Experience (2-seater) and Pace Car Rides
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Ronnie Dunn Concert on the MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Series Pre-race
3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Chevrolet Indy Grand Prix presented by shopautoweek.com

[General283]

Can someone explain these to me?

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Catholic Mass
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Non-denominational Chapel Service

[mdh218]

You can find the track map here; so you know where everything is:

http://www.detroitgp.com/track/index.cfm?cid=17699

Parking and shuttle service here:

http://www.detroitgp.com/information....cfm?cid=17690

[mdh218]

Can someone explain these to me?

Every race day has these; for drivers, crews, owners and their families. From short track in your local city to the Indy, NASCAR, F1, etc.