Detroit Grand Prix to kick off in downtown after decades

The Chevrolet Grand Prix is kicking off in the streets of downtown Detroit next weekend for the first time in 32 years.

Detroit's first Grand Prix launched in 1982, starting as a Formula One race through downtown and moved in 2007 to Belle Isle. Organizers are preparing to host thousands of spectators across downtown from June 2-4, including ample standing room for free viewing. This year's race will also have two pit lanes for drivers to pause and change tires on both sides of the street. Bud Denker, chairman of the Grand Prix said it has "never been done before," adding that Detroit is one of 15 cities in the world to host a race in its downtown.

"Imagine the sights of watching cars go down at over 185 to 190 miles an hour on Jefferson Avenue to the Lodge Freeway making a U-turn. Imagine what they're going to look like at 155 miles an hour down our riverfront with helicopters chasing them, and boats anchored in the water out here can be part of the race," said Bud Denker, chairman of the Grand Prix.

Mayor Mike Duggan asked Denker, 'What took you so long?' after the chairman proposed bringing the race back downtown.

"I worked down here in the '80s when the Grand Prix was here. It was fabulous. The streets were filled, businesses benefited, people could watch out of buildings, and I never felt, once it moved to Belle Isle, it was ever as connected with the city," Duggan said.

The major event is expected to drive in crowds of visitors and cause several traffic changes. Here are some tips for navigating the event:

What is it?

Presented by Lear, the Grand Prix is an annual race featuring cars of the IndyCar series, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Indy NXT and TransAm.

When is it?

Friday to Sunday, June 2-4.

Traffic and safety

Several streets will be closed off for the race but the Detroit Police Department will deploy extra patrol officers to ease traffic flow and ensure safety.

"We're going to have wayfinding so people won't get lost and won't get confused," said Detroit Police Chief James White. "Every officer that is available to work will be working that weekend, and they will be deployed throughout the city and that was really primarily done to not take anything away from our neighborhood patrol because the neighborhood patrols still are our primary responsibility. Our calls for service, they cannot drop off while we're having this event."

The event map showing blocked-off streets is available online.

"Just for the race weekend ... we have decided that we're going to raise the speed limit for the race cars on the track for that weekend only to 200 miles an hour," White told reporters on Thursday at an announcement.

More: 2023 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix: What to know about road closures, parking, traffic

Free events

Tickets start at $55 but there is an opportunity to watch for free on viewing platforms, which are labeled on the track map. Friday is "Free Prix Day" where visitors can sit in Grandstands 1 and 9 for free on a first-come basis. Several concerts in Hart Plaza, inside the Meijer Fan Zone, will also be free to the public as well.

A-Trak will kick off the weekend at 6 p.m. Friday, June 2, followed by Big Boi at 7:30 p.m. at Hart Plaza.

Z-Trip will kick off the show at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3, followed by renowned DJ Steve Aoki taking the stage at 7 p.m.

Boosting small businesses

In an effort to boost locally owned businesses, eventgoers can visit the "Small Business Straightway" in Cadillac Square near Campus Martius. Local businesses will post up in the area to market their brand or sell their products. A full list of the dozens of participating businesses is available here.

Environment and economic impact

Denker touted the IndyCar series for being the "only racing series in North America" to run on renewable fuel.

"Fuel made from waste product out of Brazil, along with waste oil from kitchens. It makes up our racing fuel to allow us to go 190 miles an hour," Denker said. "All the transporters that we have for IndyCar Series run on renewable diesel. So clean diesel, clean fuel for the race car. We're very focused on the sustainability side of it."

Denker projects the move to downtown will generate about $75 million a year, a surge from the approximately $45 to 50 million on Belle Isle, he said.

"On Belle Isle, it was a great event. But you came down, you hopped on a bus, you took a bus there and for the most part when you came off the island, you got in your car and went home. Well now, you're going to park somewhere around here to come down here, and you're going to pass a restaurant or pass a cafe, you're going to pass the casino ... the economic impact will be so much more because of that," Denker said.

Information about this year's event is available online at www.Detroitgp.com.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact Dana: dafana@freepress.com or 313-635-3491. Follow her on Twitter: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit's Grand Prix is coming to downtown. Here's what to know