While the jury is still out on the success of the first unified open-wheel racing season, the organizers of
the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix last weekend are calling their event a resounding success.
For the second straight year, the race weekend (Aug. 29-31) drew more than 100,000 spectators, event organizers said. This year’s attendance was a bit of an increase. A total of 69 corporate partners participated in the event as sponsors or chalet clients, up from 59 in 2007. The occupancy of the luxury chalets also was up, with 40 rentals this year compared to 36 in 2007.
The Indy Racing League can’t take all the credit. The Detroit weekend also featured an American LeMans Series race, and new for 2008 was the SCCA Speed World Challenge GT Championship. The number of teams racing rose from 43 last year to 76 this year.
The Nielsen TV rating for the IRL race in Detroit, which aired on ABC, was .9, meaning 1.3 million viewers nationwide tuned in.
The IRL race at Chicagoland Speedway this Sunday will face a stiff test as the green flag drops the same time many National Football League teams kick-off their season. The IRL telecast on ABC begins at 3:30 p.m.
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Should be funny to see how badly the big season-ending farce does on Sunday. Not only is the NFL on, as was mentioned, but Nascar's last race before the chase has been moved to Sunday as well.
I can't think of a more deserving group of people to get crushed in this fashion than the vile, disgusting vermin that make up FTG's 'league'.
It's absolutely astonishing that the 'league' went to Belle Isle, of all places, with absolutely no shame about their complete, total hypocrisy.
Zak Brown will make it all better. Ha.
Make your points. How about leaving the name calling alone. You are way over the top. You can't hide your bitterness as an ex-Champ Car minion. There are a lot of regrets, but all that name calling does no one any good, and many people that read these posts are sick of it.
You need to get a new, positive focus in your life. Just a thought....
How on earth can ANYONE defend what Mumbles has done to this once great sport?
Good thing his pockets are deep, cause his thought processes are not.
And before you blast me for not being Fan enough, please point out anything I have said that is not true!
The Reversus TV contract is proof of that...