Detroit Grand Prix is canceled for 2009

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit News

Thursday, December 18, 2008
Detroit Grand Prix is canceled for 2009
David Goricki / The Detroit News


DETROIT -- There will be no open-wheel race in the Motor City in 2009.

The Indy Racing League will announce Friday the Detroit Grand Prix will not be run next year.

The final open-wheel race at Michigan International Speedway was held in 2007, the same year open-wheel racing returned to Belle Isle after a six-year absence. Now, both events are gone.

Legendary car owner Roger Penske, who leads the Detroit Grand Prix event (scheduled for Sept. 4-6) as chairman of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, informed the Indy Racing League and American Le Mans Series that the event will not be held in 2009 because of poor economic times.

Read more: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081218/UPDATE/812180455/1047/SPORTS03

[sarcasmo]

1. The only racing going on here is people trying to beat each other dialing in for unemployment.

[Doremus]

14. Heh, here in Ohio it's a race to cross the state line

beep beep

[llmart]

18. As long as they aren't going North.....

because they'll be S.O.L. if they plan on going to Michigan for jobs.

[llmart]

17. Tee hee......

and those are the lucky ones who's unemployment hasn't run out already.

[Billy Burnett]

2. The Honda Indy Racing League.

That's what it is.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Honda pulled out of Formula One

I expect them to do the same with IRL, although it is a lot cheaper than F1.

[alfredo]

8. F1 will have to cut costs or die.

[IndianaGreen]

9. The teams turned down the proposal to switch to Cosworth engines

I think that Bernie's proposal to give medals to the podium finishers sucks big time.

[alfredo]

12. Too fuckin' cheap to buy them Champagne? The guys risk their lives to

entertain us, they deserve to be lauded for their skill and bravery.

[Politicalboi]

3. So what do rednecks

Do when the race is called off? Look for a rise in population.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Wait for Chevy, Ford, and Dodge to pull out of NASCAR

Perhaps those opposed to the auto bailout will wake up.

[MaineDem]

10. This race isn't NASCAR

It doesn't attract many "rednecks".

[alfredo]

15. But it does attract "pit girls." Rednecks like them.

[MaineDem]

16. I detest the scantily clad women at these events

It's so demeaning.

[alfredo]

20. I know, but it is part of what the twenty something crowd loves about

auto racing. The younger fan loves the testosterone elements, of speed, danger, sex, and dominance. The older fan likes the same things but in a lesser degree, finding the tactics and drama more interesting.

The pit girls and all that is bullshit. It doesn't become real until the flag drops. That's when the bullshit stops.

Racing is more than just entertainment, there are real advances that have come from the world of racing. Formula 1 is the space program of the racing world. NASCAR has its place in perfecting the machine too. Look for the racing world to be the leaders in new fuel efficiency technology. Audi has been kicking ass with their new bio diesels. Look for hybrid technology to be used more and more on the world circuits.

LeMans is where the action is. More manufacturers are present competing against each other.

[MaineDem]

21. I totally agree

The pit show at an F1 race is just that - a show. It's a pretty major one but still just a show. The development of the systems in the cars is pretty amazing.

[alfredo]

22. Most fans are so far away, they can't really see the "girls" that well.

[Plucketeer]

6. No problem!

Just run the GP in, say, Little Rock or Memphis - one of those states where they DO subsidize their auto industry. :nopity:

[alfredo]

7. No, just go down to Woodward Ave

[JVS]

11. Wouldn't this harm detroit's economy further?

[alfredo]

13. Get back to basics: Banger Racing

Put bubba back behind the wheel. Make it fun again.

[appleannie1]

19. Son is Grand Am series crew chief. They cut 2 races from their schedule also