Detroit GP Considering Move to Downtown Circuit for 2023

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Organizers of the Detroit Grand Prix are considering a move of its event to the city’s downtown streets by as early as 2023.

The popular NTT IndyCar Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event, currently held on Belle Isle Park, is confirmed for June 3-5, 2022 although could be relocated to a city street circuit as soon the following year.

Penske Corporation President Bud Denker made a presentation during city council meeting on Tuesday, proposing a 1.7-mile circuit that would be near the original track location that hosted both Formula 1 and IndyCar in the ’80s to early ’90s.

It moved to Bell Isle in 1992 and ran through 2001 until being revived by Roger Penske in 2007-08 and again from 2012.

“While we have the option of extending the current agreement with the State of Michigan to host the Grand Prix on Belle Isle through 2024, we are exploring the option of retuning the event to a downtown street circuit beginning in 2023,” a statement read.

“The Grand Prix began as a downtown event, hosted on the streets of Detroit from 1982-1991, before making the transition to Belle Isle.

“The annual summertime racing festival on the streets of Detroit would represent a connection to the rich heritage of the Grand Prix, the opportunity to engage with broad audiences and provide an even greater boost to the local economy while adding to the energy and momentum that is building downtown and along our beautiful waterfront.”

No word has been given if a move to the city streets would result in a date change. 

Next year’s race currently clashes with the test day for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which could prove troublesome in 2023 when a large contingent of WeatherTech Championship teams are expected to take part in the French endurance classic in the first year of the LMDh regulations. 

During a presentation to @CityofDetroit Tuesday, #DetroitGP organizers introduced a proposal to bring the event back to its roots on a downtown street circuit beginning in 2023. Take a look at a potential @detroitgp #Detroit street race could look like: https://t.co/AwF8END6h5 pic.twitter.com/R7xWRrZawL

— Detroit Grand Prix (@detroitgp) September 29, 2021

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John