Michigan International Speedway has proven to be a valuable testing facility to the auto industry. Track president Roger Curtis continues to open the facility for a multitude of destination events and increase its economic footprint for the state year-round.
Besides its pair of NASCAR races which annually see about 200,000 people at the racetrack – 60 percent of whom are from outside the state of Michigan – MIS officials have opened its property up to new business opportunities.
On Wednesday, Curtis served as the keynote speaker at the Michigan Automotive Summit in downtown Detroit at the Cobo Center. The prestigious event served as the perfect setting to discuss how the speedway and the automotive industry could continue and strengthen its relationship to help promote the State.
“It was an honor to speak at the Michigan Automotive Summit to discuss the role of MIS in future automotive research and development,” Curtis said. “We are in the auto industries’ backyard while providing a secure and neutral testing ground at the same time. As we explore ways to increase our economic impact on the area, we look forward to welcoming the industry to our facility.”
Curtis offered a comprehensive look at the opportunities the speedway offers the automotive market and highlighted the distinct advantage the facility provides the industry in Michigan. The discussion touched on how MIS provides automakers and after-market manufacturers the capability to test and develop connected vehicle systems and other technologies in a protected, neutral and safe environment.
The 1,400 acres at Michigan International Speedway offers a range of amenities to meet all the needs of businesses and organizations. The Champions Club presented by CP Federal Credit Union offers a unique setting overlooking the frontstretch. Businesses can also use any of the Pit Road suites for meetings or networking functions.
Michigan International Speedway has become a key player in research and development for the auto manufacturers in recent years. The track serves as a neutral-test ground for the manufacturers to work together as the technology continues to be developed. Testing is scheduled for numerous days throughout the facility and the manufacturers continue to reserve additional dates.
The track has multiple intersections, a road course that goes through remote areas to offer real life situations in a secure environment and a recently repaved road course in the infield. In addition, the large skid pad on the back stretch offers an opportunity to test how cars talk to each other during quick braking, scalability and other evasive maneuvers.
In addition, public safety organizations routinely use the facility for safe driving, maneuverability and training courses.
MICHauto was proud to showcase and champion Michigan as the global epicenter of the automotive industry – a first of its kind event focused on Michigan’s commitment to the automotive industry.
The 2013 Michigan Automotive Summit featured an action-packed agenda with high level speakers from industry, academia and government who highlighted the necessity to retain the state’s automotive prowess and the importance of identifying ways to grow the industry.
Nowhere else was there as dense an automotive industry cluster with manufacturers, suppliers and businesses from around the globe. With a highly skilled workforce, cutting-edge research and development facilities and the most dense automotive supply chain in the world, Michigan has it all. The Detroit Regional Chamber’s MICHauto program was proud to showcase the 2013 Michigan Automotive Summit, a first-of-its-kind event bringing together original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, academic institutions, government and nonprofit organizations to build on the state’s automotive foundation.
Speakers and sessions highlighted Michigan’s automotive capabilities and expertise, discuss industry growth opportunities, and touch on the necessity to capitalize on – and maintain – the state’s role as the epicenter of the global automotive industry.
MICHauto is a key economic development initiative of the Detroit Regional Chamber dedicated to promoting, retaining and growing the automotive industry in Michigan. It’s a statewide organization representing automotive interests including original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, academic institutions and companies serving the automotive industry in any capacity. MICHauto has something for any company that is doing business or wishes to do business with Michigan’s automotive industry.
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