Belle Isle Cancelled For '09


By Andrew Cutler
December 19 2008

The annual IndyCar trip to Belle Isle has been axed for 2009 due to Detroit's economic woes. The series first came to Belle Isle in 2007, after team owner Roger Penske put togeather a deal to revive the former CART/CCWS event & showcase IndyCar in the motor city.

Now, with the Detroit-based U.S. auto industry barely hanging on, the local economy is in dire straits & the usual sponsors of the race just just can't spare the cash to stage the event. “We’ve been evaluating for the last couple of months whether to cancel,” said the event's chairman, Bud Denker. “The Grand Prix is supported by regional and national sponsors, the Big Three, Audi, Porsche … We consulted with the city, state and sponsors. Considering the tough times we’re all experiencing, we just couldn’t ask the parties to give, and give more.”

The ALMS race that is held in conjuction the IndyCar weekend has also been cancelled. As of this moment, all parties involved are calling this a "postponement" for 2009, and plan to return for the 2010 season.

Belle Isle Cancelled For '09
Posted by: Indy Racing League (IP Logged)
Date: 19/12/2008 06:05

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.

Re: Belle Isle Cancelled For '09
Posted by: gturner (IP Logged)
Date: 21/12/2008 17:49

Given how much people seemed to "love" the race course, this can almost be seen as good news. Of course, it's bad in the short term because it means less racing, but it does make it easier to replace the race with a better venue in 2010. I would really like to see Montreal jump at this opportunity to grab both series right away. I know that finding money for a new race anywhere would be difficult in 2009, but for a city and province looking to recover not just from the economic loss of the GP, but also a blow to their pride, the cost might be worth it.

Re: Belle Isle Cancelled For '09
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 04/01/2009 06:55

Good idea. Maybe we'll see both series return along with a Nascar event by 2010. That would be redemption.

sessions

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