Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Seeking 2008 Event Volunteers
The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix attracted over 100,000 fans last Labor Day weekend and a dedicated team of over 1,000 event volunteers helped make the weekend a smashing success. Eager to make this summer’s Grand Prix – to be held once again on Labor Day weekend, August 29-31, 2008 – an even bigger and better event, officials are looking for volunteers across a broad range of areas.
For more than 25 years the Detroit Grand Prix has been supported by one of the largest and hard-working volunteer staffs in racing. Originally formed in 1982, the very first year that Detroit hosted a Grand Prix auto racing event, the Detroit Grand Prix Association (DGPA) has established itself as a quality volunteer organization. Many other racing venues have used the DGPA model when creating a volunteer force to support their events. With over 1,000 volunteers working hard in all 21 of the previous Grand Prix events in Detroit, the DGPA has also developed a very consistent, knowledgeable and reliable support team. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is activating this stellar volunteer corps once again in 2008, while also searching for new members to add to the team.
Both the exotic sports cars of the American Le Mans Series and the high-powered open-wheel machines of the newly-unified IndyCar Series will compete at the two-mile Raceway at Belle Isle Park road circuit on the last weekend of August and anyone interested in volunteering their time for one of Detroit’s hottest summertime celebrations can now register directly on line. Interested volunteers can log on to www.detroitgp.com – the Official Web site of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix – and sign up to be a team member by clicking the “Volunteer" link.
By electing to become a member of the DGPA, volunteers will assist directly in the production of the 2008 Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. DGPA volunteers will be assigned to a variety of areas, including circuit marshals, credentialing, customer relations, food services, golf cart shuttle services, hospitality services, information booths, media relations, shuttle guides, track services, ticket takers, transportation/delivery services and ushers, as well as office workers both prior to and during race weekend. Prior racing knowledge is not required to volunteer.
There is a $15 membership fee for joining the DGPA, but members receive many benefits including race credentials for all three days of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, an official DGPA volunteer uniform, a DGPA membership patch, a lapel pin, off-island parking and lunch provided for all three days of the Grand Prix, discounts on event tickets and merchandise and access to special pre- and post-event DGPA parties. DGPA members must commit to working a minimum of 30 hours for pre-race positions or a minimum of three shifts totaling 16-30 hours for race weekend positions, depending on the volunteer area. Specific job descriptions can be viewed on the website.
Grand Prix organizers are seeking approximately 1,200 volunteers for the 2008 event.
The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is organized and promoted by a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, whose chairman is Roger Penske. This charitable organization has been established to enable all net proceeds raised by the Grand Prix to fund measures for the improvement and preservation of Belle Isle. To learn more – and to volunteer for the event – please visit www.detroitgp.com.