THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 16, 1995 TAG: 9508150105
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
A plan to bring grand prix racing to the resort strip by the fall of 1996 has won the endorsement of the Resort Area Advisory Commission.
The commission unanimously voted to support the concept of an annual early September race, which may be sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America.
The city's share of start-up costs is now estimated at $1.5 million, said Deputy City Manager Oral Lambert, and would include one-time expenditures for items like bleachers, fencing, traffic barricades and tents.
Funds would likely be siphoned from the city's Tourism Growth Investment Fund, a funding pool fed by a special half-cent tax on resort hotel and restaurant sales.
Actual costs to the city may be considerably lower, once race sponsorships are factored into the equation, Lambert told advisory commissioners on Thursday.
The proposal now goes before the City Council for approval. Reception there is likely to be warm, since Mayor Meyera Oberndorf and several other council members went to Miami in March to watch a grand prix race and returned as enthusiastic supporters.
Local auto dealer Walter Wilkins, who has headed the campaign to get grand prix racing in Virginia Beach, foresees holding a 10-day ``race event'' sometime during the first three weeks of September.
Wilkins said a survey of likely sites has prompted him and other race backers to settle on a course revolving around the Pavilion Convention Center. Food, entertainment, music and retail tents would be located on the Pavilion property, while the race would be run on a 2- to 2.5-mile course bounded by 19th Street, Birdneck Road, the expressway exit and possibly Parks Avenue, he said.
Texan Buddy Boren , who helped found the successful Dallas Grand Prix, said the event had a $16 million to$20 million financial impact on Dallas in 1993 and 1994.
A similar race has had a salutary effect on Long Beach, Calif., he said. ``Since 1975 (when the race began at Long Beach) there has been a big change in the city,'' he said. ``There's a new office complex and a new Hyatt (hotel) in the area where the race is held. I believe the race would have a dramatic impact on the Pavilion in terms of development.''
The Dallas race has been successful, because it became a week-long festival that offered satellite activities - music, entertainment, food - for families and children, Boren added.
Advisory Commission chairman Roger Newill said a Virginia Beach race event should be aimed at the same population segment locally.
Yet to be firmed up are major sponsors, a national promoter and a definite budget, said Wilkins.
These are items the City Council probably will insist upon, before committing $1.5 million. by CNB