
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 10, 1993                   TAG: 9306100426
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROANOKE AND THE TOURISM RACE

I HAVE read letters recently concerning Roanoke and tourism, and about the recent Tour DuPont bypassing the city. Another nearby sports event that could bring in many out-of-town visitors several times a year is the Martinsville Speedway races. When the "Hanes 500" was held April 25, television stations reported on millions of dollars from race fans being generated for motels and restaurants in the area. Many visitors were spending the weekend in Roanoke because the Martinsville area was booked up. The fan count keeps increasing every year, with the future looking bright for Martinsville Speedway.

The 1993 "Hanes 500" program book did not have a single page of advertisement promoting attractions in Roanoke. Race fans might like to take their families to Mill Mountain Zoo, the Transportation Museum or to many other Roanoke locations. At one time, the museum considered a permanent racing exhibit. Roanoke and surrounding areas have a very interesting history, including old race tracks that are now gone, local drivers from the '40s era on up to now, and classic race cars that still might be around in someone's garage. With these cars being either General Motors, Ford or Chrysler products, car dealers should offer to help restore them for display at the Transportation Museum. After all, racing history of the past has helped them sell many a car.

Racing fans coming to Martinsville need to be informed, so the speedway's program would be a first step. Amtrak service to Roanoke would certainly be another way to bring fans to Martinsville from distant points around the country.

Racing will surely be a national sport during the '90s, not just for the South.

JOHN KINNEY JR.

NARROWS

by CNB