Some interesting information that has been coming across my computer lately ...
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Detroit Grand Prix canceled for 2009
The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is the latest casualty of the global economy in general and the Detroit region's struggles specifically, AutoWeek has learned.
Longtime CART and IndyCar Series team owner Roger Penske--who spearheads the event in his role as chairman of the Downtown Detroit Partnership--informed the Indy Racing League and American Le Mans Series that the race will not be held in 2009. Penske told AutoWeek that Audi's recent decision to effectively quit the ALMS in 2009, combined with Porsche pulling the plug on its factory RS Spyder prototype program--a program Penske's team ran--hurt the race, as did Detroit's poor economy overall.
"Obviously, it's something we're disappointed in, but as good businessmen we've got to make a call," he said. "We have the assets to continue on, but there's no reason at this point to have an event that wouldn't be first-class.
"This is a real economic time of distress for everyone and we couldn't sit here and count on a lot of things happening that we know weren't going to happen, especially knowing we live in such a distressed area with unemployment and all the other things going on.
"We had to make the decision."
The Grand Prix--scheduled for Sept. 4-6--returned to the city in 2007 to strong reviews after a six-year absence. Officials hope to resurrect the race as soon as possible.
Formula One cars first took to downtown Detroit's streets in 1982, racing annually in the Motor City until the event switched to the CART World Series in 1989. The race moved from the streets to the Belle Isle Park circuit in 1992, and continued as a CART weekend through 2001. The IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series returned as a result of a coordinated effort to improve downtown Detroit, led by Penske and the Downtown Detroit Partnership, that also brought SuperBowl XL to town in 2006 and has invested in various projects aimed at improving the city.
The move reduces the 2009 IndyCar schedule to 17 races, and the ALMS schedule to 10.
Calls seeking comment from IRL and ALMS officials were not returned immediately.
Corvette Racing to skip Le Mans?
Despite adamant denials from General Motors road racing boss Steve Wesoloski, anonymous sources insist that Corvette Racing will skip the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans as the operation looks to cut costs by focusing solely on its move to the GT2 class in the second half of next season.
Corvette Racing's original plan for 2009 calls for the team to race its two GT1-class C6.Rs at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring to open the American Le Mans Series season, followed by appearances at Long Beach and Le Mans. The team would then contest select races in GT2 to finish the year, before a full-season GT2 effort in 2010. However, sources say that word came down recently to reduce the racing budget, and that cancellation of next year's GT1 outings is the solution.
But Wesoloski answered a call from AutoWeek on Thursday saying "It's not true" in response to the rumor, which was published first this week in U.K. racing magazine Autosport.
"We are still going ahead with our plans for a reduced program of Sebring, Long Beach and Le Mans," he said. "No one has come knocking to tell me otherwise.
"We are, of course, prepared for all eventualities. It all hinges on what happens in Washington [with financial bailout talks]."
At first glance, eliminating Le Mans from Corvette Racing's schedule seems unlikely. The team's budget is already in place for next year, and contracts with sponsors and partner Pratt & Miller are also in effect through 2010.
Wesoloski did not completely dismiss the possibility of pulling the plug on Le Mans--if indeed he is ordered to slash costs.
"[The 2009 GT1 operation] would be the place to start," he said. "[But] the difficulty is our sponsorship commitments. Due to the international exposure of Le Mans, it might end up costing us more not to do it."
Speaking at a GM press event in Detroit on Thursday, a high-ranking GM official said the company would quit NASCAR before it quit Le Mans.
Don't know if we'll be going to Sebring yet. Would love to drive down in the vette but you know what weather is like at that time. First I think we'll wait to see it there is a Corvette Corral and then decide on whether to fly or drive a steel car.
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