Michigan summer car events list

The Motor City is gearing up for a summer of events that celebrate the region's automotive heritage.

A total of 16 automotive events will take place throughout Metro Detroit this summer, and everything kicks off the weekend of May 31 with the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

The race weekend features the first Izod IndyCar doubleheader, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car series and Pirelli World Challenge Championship series.

The Grand Prix returned to Detroit last year after a three-year hiatus, but the homecoming was marred when pieces of the track fell apart during the weekend's main event: the Izod IndyCar race.

Detroit Grand Prix general manager Charles Burns said Belle Isle is ready this year, after renovating 100,000 square feet of the track's asphalt and concrete. Burns said the renovations also resulted in a lengthened straightaway between turns two and three, extending last year's 2.1-mile route to 2.36 miles.

The race event is set for May 31-June 2, and tickets can be purchased at DetroitGP.com or by calling 866-464-PRIX.

The summer of automotive love also includes Concours d'Elegance of America, an RM Auction and the Woodward Dream Cruise, considered the largest free car show in the country.

Here's a full list of Michigan's automotive summer events.

June 15: Eastpointe Gratiot Cruise, Macomb County

June 15-16: Quicken Loans 400 NASCAR weekend, Michigan International Speedway

Motor Muster, Dearborn

June 16: EyesOn Design, Grosse Pointe Shores

June 22-23: The Sloan Museum Auto Fair, Flint

June 29: Cruisin' Downriver, southern Wayne County

July 27: RM Auctions Vintage Motor Cars, Plymouth

July 28: Concours d'Elegance of America, Plymouth

Aug. 4: Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise, Macomb County

Aug. 13-17: Back to the Bricks Cruise Weekend, Flint

Aug. 17-18: Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR weekend, Michigan International Speedway

Aug. 17: Woodward Dream Cruise, Oakland County

Aug. 25: Cruisin' Hines, Westland

Sept. 7-8: Old Car Festival, The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn

Sept. 22: Orphan car show, Ypsilanti

By Angie Fisher