Detroit street circuit
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| Location | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
|---|---|
| Major events | Formula One, CART, Trans-Am |
| 1982 (Formula One) | |
| Length | 4.168 km (2.590 mi) |
| Turns | 22 |
| Lap record | 1:50.438 ( Alain Prost, Renault RE30B, 1982) |
| 1983-1988 (Formula One) | |
| Length | 4.023 km (2.499 mi) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Lap record | 1:40.464 ( Ayrton Senna, Lotus-Honda 99T, 1991) |
The streets of Detroit, in the U.S. state of Michigan hosted Formula One racing, and later CART racing, between the 1982 and 1991 seasons. The street circuit (course) was set up near the Renaissance Center and the Cobo Arena, also including a small part of the M-1 highway, also known as Woodward Avenue. It is a flat circuit, with elevation ranging from 176 to 184 metres above sea level.
Created largely in an effort to improve the city's international image, the race meant that the United States would host an unprecedented three Grands Prix in the 1982 season. (The other two US races, Long Beach and Las Vegas, were also added to the schedule for similar purposes.) The inaugural Detroit Grand Prix saw John Watson claim victory after starting in 17th place, the lowest grid position for an eventual race winner on a street circuit. (Watson would break his own record at Long Beach the next year by winning from 22nd place.)
The Detroit street circuit's place in Formula One history was assured when Italian Michele Alboreto won the 1983 race driving a Tyrrell 011. It was the last ever of 155 grand prix wins for the 3.0L Cosworth DFV V8 engine which had made its debut back in 1967 when legendary Team Lotus boss Colin Chapman matched his Lotus 49 with the engine. The DFV had won on debut at the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix in the hands of dual World Champion Jim Clark. It was also the last of 23 Formula One race wins for Tyrrell, who had won their first grand prix as a constructor at the 1971 Spanish Grand Prix with that year's World Champion Jackie Stewart driving the Tyrrell 003.
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