For most Michiganders, Belle Isle is just an island in the Detroit River, home to an aquarium, conservatory, and nature zoo. For Detroit-area petrolheads, it is more than that. It is home to the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.
Detroit grand prix racing officially started in 1982. The streets of Detroit welcomed Formula One and then the Championship Auto Racing Team (CART). But in 1992, CART races moved from the streets of Detroit to the largest city-owned park in the United States – Belle Isle – where they continued until 2001. After a brief hiatus, Belle Isle racing began again in 2007. The American Le Mans Series, the GRAND-AM Series, the IndyCar Series, and the TUDOR Championship have raced there on and off since 2007.
The tradition carried on this past weekend. The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix took place after a much-needed 6-month long track reconditioning. While road conditions were ideal, the weather was not. Nonetheless, racing carried on as captured in the images below.
Photo Credit: Alex Tillman first picked up a DSLR in 2012 at the age of eighteen. In three short years, he has shot for Jalopnik and Dupont Registry at the North American International Auto Show, the Michigan Gumball Rally, and won numerous contests. Remember the name, Alex Tillman. Better yet, go like him on FaceBook.
*All images used with permission
