April 12, 2017
DETROIT – The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) and the MotorCities National Heritage Area (MCNHA) announced the Autopalooza lineup Wednesday, April 12, during a press conference at Cobo Center.
Autopalooza is a series of world-class automotive cruises, races and shows throughout metro Detroit that celebrate southeast Michigan’s automotive heritage.
Autopalooza 2017 will kick off with a four-day festival of ideas and innovation – Make the Future Detroit – April 27-30 at Cobo Center. The Shell-eco Marathon will return to Cobo Center as a featured element of the celebration. Students from North and South America will drive their low-slung, futuristic vehicles on the city streets of Detroit near Cobo Center to achieve one goal: to drive the farthest distance, using the least amount of energy.
“Shell is proud to, once again, join Autopalooza’s storied lineup to showcase automotive ingenuity and heritage along with initiatives like Shell Eco-marathon that challenge students to test their own inventions,” said Pam Rosen, general manager for Shell Eco-marathon Americas. “It is this type of innovation that got its own start here, in Detroit, and these young inventors will lead us all into a brighter energy future in collaboration with global and local partners, communities, governments and academia.”
“Shell Eco-marathon has equipped me with the skills to succeed,” said Ishi Keenum, senior at University of Michigan Ann Arbor. “I have learned the importance of teamwork, project management, discipline and budgeting, which has set me on the path of future success in the workplace.”
The Autopalooza excitement continues with the return of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, at the 2.3-mile Raceway at Belle Isle Park, June 2-4. The weekend event will feature the cars of the Verizon IndyCar Series, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and the trucks of the SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks.
“Autopalooza is such a unique collection of events that helps celebrate who we are in the Motor City,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. “We are once again proud to be part of Autopalooza in 2017 as the attention of the automotive and racing world focuses on Belle Isle Park the first weekend of June at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. This event builds on our racing heritage and also provides a great opportunity to showcase the automotive technology and innovation here in Detroit.”
Autopalooza also has a significant economic impact on the metro Detroit region. 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.
The events also represent the rich cultural influence southeast Michigan’s rich automotive heritage.
“Through our affiliation with the National Park Service, we inspire residents and visitors with an appreciation of how the automobile changed Michigan, the nation and the world, making our unique heritage a source of pride as well as a positive influence on the future,” says Shawn Pomaville, executive director of the MotorCities National Heritage Area. “These cars and events create a significant amount of tourism commerce with the associated economic impact while paying tribute to the automotive culture.”
Other Autopalooza events include the following:
- Eastpointe Gratiot Cruise, June 17 in Macomb County
- Motor Muster, June 17-18 in Dearborn
- EyesOn Design, June 18 in Grosse Pointe Shores
- Cruisin’ Downriver, June 24 in southern Wayne County
- Sloan Museum Auto Fair, June 24-25 in Flint
- All American Cruise, July 15 in Westland
- Car Capitol Auto Show, July 29 in Lansing
- Concours d’Elegance of America, July 28-30 in Plymouth
- Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise, Aug. 6 in Macomb County
- Back to the Bricks Weekend, Aug. 15-19 in Flint
- Woodward Dream Cruise, Aug. 19 in Oakland County
- Cruisin’ Hines, Aug. 27 in Westland
- Old Car Festival, Sept. 9-10 in Dearborn
- Orphan Car Show, Sept. 17 in Ypsilanti
For information on all of the 2017 Autopalooza events, visit autopalooza.org.