Recognition Builds on Detroit Grand Prix Legacy as the First Motorsports Event Worldwide to Reach Gold Certification
DETROIT, Mich. (December 2, 2024) – Continuing to evolve as the most sustainable Detroit Grand Prix in the event’s storied history, the 2024 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear has once again been recognized with gold-level event certification through the Council for Responsible Sport. This recognition continues to distinguish the Detroit Grand Prix as the first-ever motorsports event worldwide to earn gold-level Responsible Sport certification.
The Council for Responsible Sport recognizes and certifies events that meet a set of criteria for social and environmental responsibility objectives to make a positive impact in their communities. Since 2007, the organization has certified more than 200 events worldwide. Through its increased sustainability efforts, significant impact on the local economy and unique community partnerships, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear blazed a new trail in 2023 on its way to reaching gold-level certification and the event continued to build on its legacy by retaining gold status in 2024.
“Retaining gold-level certification from the Council for Responsible Sport in 2024 is a tremendous honor for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and a true testament to our event’s year-round commitment to making a positive impact in our community,” said Michael Montri, President of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. “With the help of our event partners, we are proud to build on the Grand Prix’s legacy of inclusion and sustainability while continuing to serve as a leader across the motorsports industry.”
Key community partnerships and programs were crucial in helping the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix retain gold-level certification for the second consecutive year. Event organizers worked closely with Grand Prix partners to foster community engagement, sustainability initiatives, youth enrichment, small business empowerment and arts and culture opportunities across the City of Detroit in 2024. Penske Truck Rental expanded its partnership with the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear this year to offset carbon emissions, not only for fan travel to the Grand Prix but also for operational and mobile fuel combustion, by investing in carbon sequestration programs across the Midwest. In collaboration with its partner Priority Waste, the Grand Prix also broadened its recycling and waste diversion programs during this summer’s event.
With support from Grand Prix Community Partners American Axle & Manufacturing, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Delta Air Lines, Delta Dental, DTE Foundation, Henry Ford Health, Huntington Bank, Lear Corporation and PNC Bank, the Grand Prix provided engaging opportunities for Detroit neighborhoods and communities to connect with the event. Bolstered by the commitment of its partners, the 2024 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear once again offered an inclusive experience for fans with over half of the event’s footprint accessible for free throughout race weekend.
For the second consecutive year, the Grand Prix welcomed approximately 150,000 people to Downtown Detroit, injecting millions of dollars in total spending into the local economy. In addition to the paid attendance areas inside the event’s footprint, the Grand Prix once again provided free access in Hart Plaza, Spirit Plaza, the Detroit Riverwalk, down Woodward Avenue to Cadillac Square and Campus Martius Park and all along Jefferson Avenue, through raised viewing platforms and activation areas on the blocks immediately north of the race circuit made possible through the support of the event’s community partners. The free and open access included the Grand Prix Entertainment Stage presented by Priority located in Cadillac Square in Downtown Detroit.
Partner support also enabled the Grand Prix to create opportunities for local neighborhoods and businesses to reap the benefits of the event. Reimagined for the 2024 Grand Prix, the event’s Small Business Straightaway in Campus Martius Park featured 13 locally owned Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) businesses from every district in Detroit, providing a platform to shine and benefit from the event’s economic boost.
Students from the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan designed seven unique art murals honoring local communities displayed trackside during the May 31-June 2 Grand Prix weekend. Each mural, measuring 24 feet by three feet, was placed on the barrier walls around the Streets of Downtown Detroit race circuit, in front of the free viewing platforms on Jefferson Avenue.
In 2024, the Detroit Grand Prix joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway as NTT INDYCAR SERIES events and venues to receive Council for Responsible Sport certification.
The 35th Grand Prix event in Detroit’s history will return to the 1.7-mile, nine-turn Streets of Downtown Detroit circuit that runs along the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk, May 30-June 1, 2025. With new viewing options and entertainment packages, fans will be able to purchase tickets to next year’s event beginning on January 17 at www.DetroitGP.com and through the event’s Ticket Hotline at 888-811-PRIX (7749). For more information on the 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, visit www.DetroitGP.com.
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ABOUT THE DETROIT GRAND PRIX
The Detroit Grand Prix is a 501(c)3 organization and a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Scheduled for May 30-June 1, 2025, the event will return to the Streets of Downtown Detroit. The Grand Prix will include the Chevrolet INDYCAR Grand Prix featuring the cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the sports cars of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the rising stars of racing competing in INDY NXT by Firestone. For more information, visit www.DetroitGP.com and follow our social media pages at www.facebook.com/detroitgp, www.x.com/detroitgp and www.instagram.com/detroitgp
