Detroit Grand Prix: Take the bus

The message is clear for fans anxious to come down to Belle Isle this weekend and witness the return of world-class auto racing to the Motor City – park in one of the many Grand Prix parking spaces located in and around Detroit and ride to the island in style.

There is no public parking on Belle Isle for race attendees at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, August 31-September 2, 2007. There are, however, plenty of easy and cost-effective parking and transportation options available for the first Grand Prix event in Detroit in six years.

A streamlined Park and Ride shuttle transportation system, similar to the one used during Super Bowl XL, will be in effect throughout the weekend. Grand Prix organizers have built a new, large bus loop located just over the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle in order to accommodate the large fleet of shuttle buses that will transport fans to Belle Isle for the race weekend.

Officials encourage Grand Prix visitors to utilize the more than 12,000 parking spaces in the Foxtown District parking structures and surface lots in downtown Detroit located near the Fox Theater, Comerica Park, Ford Field and the Detroit Opera House. Shuttle buses will run continuously from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. and will pick up and drop off in four separate locations in the Foxtown District. These locations include: Broadway Street and Witherell Street, Clifford Street and Montcalm Street, Montcalm Street and Woodward Avenue and East Montcalm Street and John R Street. All of these locations will be easily identified by tents and Grand Prix balloon. Parking in the designated Grand Prix areas in the Foxtown District will be $5 per vehicle each day and a round-trip shuttle ticket will cost $5 per person (children 12-and-under are free).

The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will also feature three Park and Ride suburban locations throughout the weekend. Round-trip shuttle service will be available at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Northland Center Mall in Southfield and Eastland Center in Harper Woods. These shuttles will also operate from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday and the cost is also $5 per person (children 12-and-under are free). Parking is $5 per vehicle per day at The Henry Ford while it will be free to park throughout the weekend at both Northland Center Mall and Eastland Center.

For those visiting the Grand Prix from Canada, the City of Windsor also offers a round-trip shuttle service. For $7 Canadian, fans can take the shuttle at the Windsor Bus Terminal to Belle Isle and back. Proper identification is required to cross the international border.

Each Grand Prix shuttle rider will receive a wristband that is color-coordinated with their specific shuttle location, making it easy to find their designated bus at the end of the day.

While there will be limited parking available on Belle Isle for those wishing to visit the other attractions on the island during race weekend, there will be NO Grand Prix parking allowed on the island without proper credentials.

Those attending the Detroit International Jazz Festival are encouraged to park in the Joe Louis Arena parking structure, Cobo Center parking structure or other downtown lots surrounding the festival area. If you’re parked in another area downtown and you want to take the Grand Prix shuttles to Belle Isle, officials recommend taking the People Mover to the Broadway station and then board the Opera House shuttle to Belle Isle.

The normal routes for public transportation providers, including DDOT, SMART Bus and the Detroit People Mover, will remain in effect during the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and the Detroit International Jazz Festival.

For more information on transportation to the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, log on to www.detroitgp.com.