DETROIT – Detroit Grand Prix organizers announced today that the 2020 Grand Prix, originally scheduled for May 29-31 at Belle Isle Park, has been canceled due to the global COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
As a result of the current public health restrictions and mandates, Grand Prix officials determined it was not possible to host the event at the end of May in order to help protect the health, safety and well-being of the spectators, partners, volunteers, employees and event participants at the Detroit Grand Prix.
Over the last several weeks, organizers have been working with local authorities, the City of Detroit, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Belle Isle Conservancy and the racing series competing at the Grand Prix to try and secure an alternate date for the event on Belle Isle in 2020. Unfortunately, due to logistical and scheduling challenges, no suitable dates were available to host the event on Belle Isle.
“The Grand Prix is a very important event for Belle Isle Park, the City of Detroit, the City of Windsor and all of southeast Michigan. It is certainly disappointing that it won’t take place this year, but the health and safety of everyone at the Grand Prix is always our top priority,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix.
“We looked at every possible scenario to reschedule the race, but all of them would have been too disruptive to the hundreds of fall events that will take place on Belle Isle. Some events, like weddings, family reunions and festivals, have been scheduled a year in advance and it would not be right to alter anyone’s plans. We look forward to the Grand Prix returning in 2021 as we continue our mission of revitalizing Belle Isle Park and providing significant support to the Belle Isle Conservancy, while helping to inject millions of dollars in economic benefit to our cities and our region.”
Grand Prix ticketholders will be contacted in the near future regarding their 2020 ticket purchases.
The Detroit Grand Prix team appreciates the support and understanding of its fans, partners, volunteers and participants. Organizers look forward to hosting a world-class Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle Park next summer, June 4-6, 2021.
Source: Detroit Grand Prix
IndyCar Harvest GP scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS – The stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a third exciting racing event in 2020. The INDYCAR Harvest GP will take place Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3 on the IMS road course.
The new event was unveiled today as part of INDYCAR’s updated 2020 schedule announcement. The GMR Grand Prix remains on the IMS schedule for Saturday, July 4, setting the stage for a history-making INDYCAR and NASCAR pairing over the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard weekend. The can’t-miss 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will take place Sunday, Aug. 23.
The INDYCAR Harvest GP joins a busy weekend of racing at IMS, with the previously announced Indianapolis 8 Hour beginning at 10 a.m. (ET) Sunday, Oct. 4. The event will feature the first-ever combination of the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli with its North American counterpart, GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS.
“INDYCAR in October at IMS might bring slightly cooler weather but will definitely be warmly embraced by our fans,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Paired with the Indianapolis 8 Hour, we’re set for a can’t-miss fall weekend of motorsports at The Racing Capital of the World. We appreciate everyone’s support and flexibility as we continue to navigate calendar adjustments caused by the COVID-19 situation and extend our thanks to the GT World Challenge for embracing this new weekend schedule.”
A full on-track schedule spanning Wednesday, Sept. 30 to Sunday, Oct. 4 will be released soon. Tickets for each day of track-action will go on sale Friday, April 17. Fans who want exclusive access to a pre-sale window should go to IMS.com/HarvestGP.
The INDYCAR Harvest GP will pay tribute to a storied IMS event, the “Harvest Classic” held in September 1916. The Harvest Classic was the only racing event held outside of May at IMS from 1911 through 1993. The event featured three races, all won by legendary driver Johnny Aitken.
With the Indianapolis 8 Hour included in the 2020 GT World Challenge America schedule, this will be the series’ first long-distance endurance race that will count toward the championship in recent decades. The weekend will also showcase drivers in SRO America’s Pirelli GT4 America, GT Sports Club America and the TC America series will crown its champions as they cross the world-famous Yard of Bricks start-finish line over the race weekend.
“Sharing Intercontinental GT Challenge’s Indianapolis debut with one of America’s biggest sports categories is a real privilege for everyone at SRO,” said Stephane Ratel, founder and CEO of SRO Motorsports Group. “INDYCAR, as well as its cast of world-class drivers and teams, requires no introduction. It also completes a blockbuster weekend at the Brickyard featuring the best of GTs, touring cars and open-wheelers.”
Source: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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