DETROIT– The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) and the MotorCities National Heritage Area (MCNHA) announced the 2014 Autopalooza lineup for auto related events for the summer. The announcements were made in the antique auto atrium at the Detroit Historical Museum. Autopalooza is a series of world-class automotive cruises, races and shows in metro Detroit that celebrate southeast Michigan’s automotive heritage.
This summer, Autopalooza 2014 kicks off with the highly anticipated Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, May 30-June 1 at the 2.3-mile Raceway at Belle Isle Park street circuit. Jamaican-born reggae singing artist, Shaggy, will headline the musical lineup on the Motor City Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage on Sunday, June 1, as he will perform at approximately 12:30 p.m.
For the second consecutive year, the Grand Prix will host two Verizon IndyCar Series races in one action-packed weekend — the Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans – with one race Saturday and one race Sunday. The Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will also include the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship, the Pirelli World Challenge Series and, new for 2014, the SPEED Energy Super Truck Series.
Autopalooza hopes to promote the region’s rich automotive heritage to auto enthusiasts and visitors alike. The announcements talked about the significant economic impact on metro Detroit. The DMCVB calculated that the annual revenue generated from the Grand Prix, Concours d’Elegance and the Woodward Dream Cruise alone may exceed $110 million.
“There is no place in the world which celebrates its auto culture quite like we do in this region, where the automobile heritage is legendary,” said Shawn Pomaville, managing director, Motor Cities National Heritage Area. “Whether it is the beauty of automotive design at our car shows, the power and ingenuity of our races or the classics cruising Woodward, Gratiot, Hines, Fort and Saginaw St., we are proud to offer the very best in auto heritage tourism all summer long.”
Michigan International Speedway president, Roger Curtis, said that motorsports are part of the fabric of the community. He emphasized, “Motorsports are Detroit’s fifth hometown team.” Bud Denker, chairman of the Belle Isle Grand Prix, echoed Curtis’ statements about the Autopalooza schedule. “Automotive is in our DNA here Michigan,” added Denker. “The car put us on the map. These 16 Autopalooza events all bring benefits with them to the area.”
Jim Campbell of Chevy Motorsports announced that either a Chevy Corvette or Chevy Camaro will be the pace car for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.
Other major Autopalooza events include:
Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, May 30-June 1, Detroit
Quicken Loans 400 NASCAR Weekend, June 13-15, Brooklyn
The Eastpointe Gratiot Cruise, June 14 in Macomb County
Motor Muster, June 14-15 in Dearborn
Eyes On Design, June 15 in Grosse Pointe Shores
Sloan Museum Auto Fair, June 28-29 in Flint
Cruisin’ Downriver, June 28 in southern Wayne County
RM Auction Vintage Motor Cars, July 26 in Plymouth
MotorCities w Web-R2Concours d’Elegance of America, July 27 in Plymouth
Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise, Aug. 3 in Macomb County
Back to the Bricks Weekend, Aug. 12-16 in Flint
Woodward Dream Cruise, Aug. 16 in Oakland County
Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Weekend, Aug. 15-17 in Brooklyn
Cruisin’ Hines, Aug. 24 in Westland
Old Car Festival, Sept. 6-7 in Dearborn
Orphan Car Show, Sept. 21 in Ypsilanti
