Series announces Belle Isle 2012 event

Rolex Series To Race In Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix In 2012
GRAND-AM Partners With Chevrolet, Penske Motorsports, INDYCAR

Grand Am Rolex flag

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2011) – GRAND-AM will be racing into the Motor City in 2012, with the announcement of the return of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

GRAND-AM’s Rolex Sports Car Series will partner with Penske Motorsports and the IZOD IndyCar Series in the June 1-3 weekend on the picturesque 14-turn, 2.1-mile circuit located on Belle Isle, a city park on an island in the Detroit River adjacent to downtown. The Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Challenge featuring the Rolex Series will be held on Saturday, June 2.

Detroit is currently enjoying the national spotlight for American sports fans. The Tigers are currently competing in the American League Championship Series after eliminating the New York Yankees, while the undefeated Lions are celebrating Monday night’s victory over the Chicago Bears.

But on Wednesday, motorsports took center stage in the hub of the American automotive industry.

“This is another memorable day for GRAND-AM,” said Tom Bledsoe, president of the sanctioning body. “We have already announced that we’ll be racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012, and this is another great addition to our schedule as we continue to move forward as North America’s leading sports car sanctioning body.”

GRAND-AM Vice President of Competition Dave Spitzer and GRAND-AM co-founder Jim France were joined at the announcement by Dave Bing, mayor of the City of Detroit; Mark Reuss, chairman of Chevrolet North America; Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation and Randy Bernard, CEO of IndyCar.

The next activity for the Rolex Series will be testing at Barber Motorsports Park on Oct. 17-18, with sessions at Daytona in November and December. The 2012 season begins with Jan. 5-8 "Roar Before the Rolex 24" Test Days at Daytona International Speedway, leading up to the 50th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Jan. 28-29. The complete 2012 Rolex Series schedule will be announced in the near future.