By Suzette Hackney / The Detroit News

Detroit, Mi. — Sponsors of the Detroit Grand Prix will expand the Belle Isle racetrack this spring in an effort to let drivers zip past each other more frequently and with greater safety.

The promoter will spend about $1.5 million to add more than two-tenths of a mile to the 2.1-mile track, creating a longstraightaway that invites speed and passing, especially as cars slow for a 90-degree turn at the end of the new section.

Racers have complained that the island course used since 1992 is too narrow and winding, making it tough to pass atspeeds of up to 190 mph. Officials say the lead now should change more frequently, making the races more exciting for spectators and TV viewers.

Race organizers showed their plans Tuesday to Detroit City Council members, who expressed support and scheduled aMarch 12 vote. Work would be done before the June 6-8 event, which is part of an international circuit.

"Improvements must be made to keep the Detroit Grand Prix alive and well into the 21st century," said H. Kent Stanner, president of International Management Group, promoter of the ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix. "We're doing this for the citizens of Detroit so they can enjoy this type of racing."

To another official, the most important beneficiaries are those strapped into the high-performance vehicles.

"The drivers are being asked to do their jobs under unfavorable circumstances and the risk of an accident is too high," said Andrew Craig, president of Championship Auto Racing Teams, the race's sanctioning body. "The care and welfare of our athletes is always paramount in my mind.

"It's critical that we take care of our drivers when they are on the track."

The track extension has won approval from Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and the Friends of Belle Isle, an environmental group.

The Detroit Grand Prix is one of the city's showcase events. It was attended by about 130,000 people last year. They spent nearly $40 million, the promoter estimated. The event is televised in 190 countries and draws 65 million viewers.

The track extension won't harm Belle Isle's natural beauty, said Renee Vander Hagen, a member of the Friends of Belle Isle. "This is a public park first and a race second."

A new road will be built and connected to the existing track. The addition, to be used only for the Grand Prix, will be covered with sod and turf the rest of the year. Two trees will be relocated.

"I strongly support this in terms of keeping (the race) in the city of Detroit," said Councilwoman Kay Everett. "I don't want other cities to capitalize on this. This is obviously something we need to do."

The city will spend about $200,000 on track improvements this year.

Council members also plan to approve a five-year contract extension with the promoter, whose current deal expires thisyear. The city will gain revenue and other perks, with details to be made public later.

The race began as a Formula One series in 1982 and took place on downtown streets. It became an IndyCar series in1989 and moved to the island in 1992. International Management Group runs other Grand Prix races in Cleveland, St.Petersburg, Fla., and in countries around the world.

Contract highlights include:

• A user fee paid to the city in advance.
  
• A revenue-sharing package.
  
• Required participation by minority and Detroit-based vendors.
  
• A clause freeing the city from maintenance responsibilities, which had cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
  
• The promoter will be penalized if cleanup is not done within a certain time. With concrete barriers weighing 47 millionpounds and eight miles of fence, cleanup usually takes four weeks.
  
• Environmental protection guidelines for Belle Isle.

Source: The Detroit News — Used by permission