ALMS (BELLE ISLE) - IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Allan McNish and Audi will try for an overall win in front of Audi of America faithful in Detroit.

While other markets may be more populated and familiar to the American Le Mans Series paddock, none can match the strategic importance of Detroit. The world's leading sports car series visits the Motor City this weekend for the Detroit Sports Car Challenge presented by Bosch, part of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix weekend. What are Series drivers looking forward to the most? Here's a sampling:

Allan McNish, Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDI (LMP1) "It's a new city. This year we have had a few street circuits that have provided some extremely good racing. I think Detroit will be another stage of that. From Audi's point of view, it's quite close to home. So hopefully we will give a good show to our Audi boys."

Bryan Herta, Andretti Green Racing Acura ARX (LMP2) "For me it will be nice to be back, being a Michigan boy. I was born there and still have family there. I like street racing, and to go back to another street course is going to be really good."

Ben Devlin, B-K Motorsports Lola B07/46-Mazda MZR-R (LMP2) "Detroit is going to be nice. I've never been to the city myself. We get lucky getting to travel around America but I've never been there. It's going to be nice to get a look. I love street courses and it adds to things. You feel a lot quicker."

"Being organized by Roger Penske, it's going to be a first-class event," said Penske Motorsports' Ryan Briscoe.

Ryan Briscoe, Penske Motorsports Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2) "There's no really added pressure for Penske for that race. We will try to go up there and try to do what we've been doing all the time. Being organized by Roger Penske, it's going to be a first-class event. There's absolutely no doubt. Ever since I met Roger last year, he's always been talking about the Detroit Grand Prix and all the work he's putting into it. I can't wait and I'm sure it's going to be a massive event."

Timo Bernhard, Penske Motorsports Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2) "In all the city circuits so far we've had a really good car and really good teamwork. I'm expecting also to have a great race car in Detroit and to have good strategy like in the other races. I think we have a good package for street races."

Chris Dyson, Dyson Racing Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2) "Roger Penske has gotten involved with the event and that really speaks to how well the event should be run. They've basically taken the old Belle Isle layout, which had a huge fan following and was a pretty good layout, and improved it. I was at the Detroit Auto Show in January and there was a pretty positive response. It should be a good event on the schedule."

Dyson Racing will enter its two Porsche RS Spyders for the Detroit Sports Car Challenge presented by Bosch.

Andy Wallace, Dyson Racing Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2) "I've seen the race on TV a few times and it looks like a really nice track. Every one of these races so far, with the LMP1s and LMP1 cars have been so close together, have been an absolute fight from beginning to end. If you're just a little bit off, you can be anywhere from (first) all the way down to 10th position."

Guy Smith, Dyson Racing Porsche RS Spyder (LMP2) "I raced there a few years ago in Indy Lights, and it's certainly one of the best road courses I've driven. It always gets good fans there and good support. We're excited about returning and I think the fans of Detroit will enjoy seeing the American Le Mans Series cars racing."