Belle Isle takes shape for Detroit Grand Prix

By early next week, nearly 500,000 square feet of concrete will be on the ground on Belle Isle, creating the paddock area for the Detroit Grand Prix in September.

During the next month, another 150,000 square feet will be poured to improve the race circuit, eliminating uneven transitions in the turns. And about $150,000 has been applied toward the renovation of the Belle Isle Casino, which will be the media headquarters for the race that left Detroit and the island after 2001.

Scott Fountain will be cleaned, and about seven weeks before the race, the barrier walls and fencing will be in place.

"It's unbelievable, incredible," said Bud Denker, senior vice president of Penske Corp., and Detroit Grand Prix event chairman. "To see the progress, the before and after"

The three-day event will include a Free Prix Day on Aug. 31, the American LeMans series race on Sept. 1, and the premiere event, the IndyCar series race, on Sept. 2.

Support for the event has been considerable, Denker said this week. Forty-eight 50-person hospitality suites have been sold at a cost of $50,000 each. There have been seven 100-person chalets sold for $95,000.

"We can always make more," Denker said. "We've been so pleased with the hospitality response. These companies are willing to help us in these tough times."

Tickets will be priced from $15 to $100 and will go on sale in mid-May.

Denker said the LeMans and IndyCar races have presenting sponsors, but he can't reveal those until the contracts are signed.

More than 1,000 volunteers have signed up, but Denker is looking for another 500. More at Detroit News