INDYCAR SERIES DRIVERS ORIOL SERVIA AND WILL POWER  PARTICIPATE IN ‘GRAND PRIX NIGHT’ WITH THE DETROIT TIGERS

DETROIT – Just days before competing in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” two of the brightest stars in open-wheel racing paid a  visit to the Motor City to celebrate Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Night at Comerica Park with the Detroit Tigers baseball club. Oriol Servia and Will Power of the KV Racing Technology IndyCar Series team, took in the evening’s festivities on Tuesday, May 20 as they watched the Tigers maul the Seattle Mariners 12-8. Both Servia and Power were in town to promote the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix to be held August 29-31 – just a few days before competing in the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25.

Servia and Power signed autographs for eager fans at Comerica Park prior to the game. In addition, both drivers were introduced to the crowd on the field in pre-game ceremonies before Power throws out the ceremonial first pitch. Both Servia and Power will be available for media interviews before staying to enjoy some Tiger baseball that evening. Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix show cars will be on display during the game and fans will have the opportunity to win free tickets to the Grand Prix throughout the evening.



While Servia is new to the IndyCar Series, he’s certainly not a rookie when it comes to racing at Belle Isle. The 33-year-old native of Catalonia has raced twice at Belle Isle Park, in the Champ Car Series, with a top finish of third in the 2000 Detroit Grand Prix.

“I have some very good memories about the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix because it was my first podium finish in Champ Cars back in 2000,” said Servia, who qualified 25th for Sunday’s Indy 500. “I remember it was a very good place to race and that the track is very challenging. Overall, I have a lot of good memories from Detroit and I hope to be able to add to them by making the podium again or even doing better this year.”

Power, the 2006 Champ Car World Series Rookie of the Year, will be making his first start on the 2.1-mile Belle Isle street circuit later this summer. The 27-year-old Australian driver is an accomplished road racer that’s recorded three career open-wheel victories including an impressive win in April at the annual Grand Prix of Long Beach.



About the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix
The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is organized and promoted by a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, whose chairman is Roger Penske. A special charitable organization has been established that enables all net proceeds raised by the Grand Prix to fund measures for the improvement and preservation of Belle Isle. Once again featuring the IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series – along with the SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT Championship, new for 2008 – the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will be held Labor Day weekend, August 29-31, 2008. To learn more about the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, please visit www.detroitgp.com.