The IndyCars last raced at Detroit’s Belle Isle street course (above) in 2008. Photo: Chris Jones/IZOD IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series’ chances of returning to Hell in 2012 may have gone up considerably.
By Hell, I’m of course referring to Detroit’s Belle Isle street course, nicknamed “Hell’s Belle Isle” by its legion of critics for producing races with precious little on-track passing. Unfortunately for those folks, the course they love to hate appears to have a clear shot at returning to the series schedule after being away for a few years due to the grim economy.
The Detroit Free Press’ Mike Brudenell is reporting that the Detroit City Council has unanimously approved a request from the race’s organizers to have the reborn Detroit Grand Prix staged from June 1-3, 2012 — the weekend after the Indianapolis 500.
Yeah, that’d be sure to make the oval portion of the fan base happy. I also have to believe that another element may wind up equally annoyed. Texas Motor Speedway kingpin Eddie Gossage certainly covets having his track host the next race after Indianapolis. What will he have to say about this if Detroit does come back and lands on their targeted date?
But more importantly, I think the biggest problem with Belle Isle is that it’d be likely to zap all the momentum from the Indianapolis 500 with a boring race. You have to keep that energy going and an oval is the best way to do it (or at least a road/street course that’s way more exciting than Belle Isle).
Wait a minute…Isn’t there a two-mile, high-banked oval just a few hours to the west of Detroit? I believe a lot of IndyCar fans wouldn’t mind seeing the series go there. But that’s just me.
