Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Cancelled For 2020

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The Detroit Grand Prix — a popular event for many Windsorites — has been called off for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers announced today that the event, originally scheduled for May 29th to 31st at Belle Isle Park, has been cancelled.

Officials say given the current public health restrictions and mandates, Grand Prix organizers determined it was not possible to host the event at the end of May in order to help protect the health, safety and well-being of spectators, volunteers, employees and event participants.

Over the last several weeks, organizers say they’ve been working with local authorities, the City of Detroit, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Belle Isle Conservancy and the racing series competing at the Grand Prix to try and secure an alternate date for the event on Belle Isle in 2020. Officials say due to logistical and scheduling challenges, no suitable dates were available to host the event on Belle Isle.

“The Grand Prix is a very important event for Belle Isle Park, the City of Detroit, the City of Windsor and all of southeast Michigan,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix. “It is certainly disappointing that it won’t take place this year, but the health and safety of everyone at the Grand Prix is always our top priority.”

“We looked at every possible scenario to reschedule the race, but all of them would have been too disruptive to the hundreds of fall events that will take place on Belle Isle,” he said. “Some events, like weddings, family reunions and festivals, have been scheduled a year in advance and it would not be right to alter anyone’s plans.”