GRAND PRIX RACING : Proof of Benefits? Ask Long Beach

The Grand Prix will be too noisy . . . It will cause too much traffic . . . How will the city benefit?

Is it Del Mar 1986? No!

These were the concerns voiced by the Long Beach citizenry in 1975. And today, after 11 successful years of auto racing, the Long Beach Grand Prix is an enthusiastically welcomed ingredient of that city. The annual race produces millions of dollars for the Long Beach economy, and public, media and business awareness of the city and surrounding communities is markedly heightened. The overriding sentiment is that the Grand Prix--which traverses downtown streets and is within 1,000 yards of 6,000 residents--has been an unqualified boon to that area’s economy during the past decade.

The same desirable results can occur in San Diego County as a byproduct of the proposed Oct. 31-Nov. 9 Southern California Grand Prix at Del Mar. Aside from being an auto race, the event has the capacity to become a major media, social and corporate happening that will be advantageous to all local residents.

The 10-day affair--which includes a weekend of vintage car racing followed by a weekend of prototype sports car racing bundled around an auto exposition and charity events like golf, tennis and a 10-kilometer run--is slated to occur at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, an area situated in the 22nd Agricultural District and under the aegis of the Del Mar Fair Board (also known as the 22nd District Agricultural Assn. Board).

The Fair Board has already granted its unanimous approval of the Southern California Grand Prix at Del Mar, declaring that since the 22nd Agricultural District is mandated to use its assets for the benefit of all residents of San Diego County, it is to schedule events and attractions that offer a broad-based appeal. Hence, the approval of the Grand Prix, which meets the criteria established by the board--it’s a first-class, professional event that will also generate revenue for the fairgrounds.

Aside from the fairgrounds revenue, the Grand Prix at Del Mar will produce an influx of $12 million to $14 million of “fresh money” into the greater San Diego economy. This figure represents dollars spent at restaurants and hotels, for entertainment, transportation, and goods and services required to hold the event. There will also be a direct benefit to local government coffers in the form of sales tax, hotel and motel taxes and, in the case of Del Mar, an admission tax.

An additional bonus San Diego will derive from the event is extensive media exposure, with more than 600 media representatives attending the affair and national television covering the final weekend of racing.

And, of course, an event of this magnitude attracts the elite from the corporate world, including prestigious entities like General Motors, Ford, Pontiac, AT&T; and Eastman-Kodak. In fact, 80% of the world’s automobile manufacturers are involved in some form of sponsorship of the machines featured in the second weekend, including Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar. Top-level corporate brass from around the world will be introduced to the beauty and charm of San Diego, a situation that can only bode well for the county’s continued business and tourism prosperity.

There is always opposition from well-intentioned residents as soon as they see the words “auto race.” But the Long Beach concept of street racing has been duplicated in Miami, Detroit, New York, Dallas, Cleveland and St. Petersburg, each producing a wealth of benefits for the host city.

The Del Mar locale, with its unique style and ambiance, provides an ideal setting for a special event of this magnitude. But residents should realize that the proposed Grand Prix at Del Mar will not even approach a busy day at the annual Del Mar Fair, which sometimes draws 60,000 patrons. The heaviest Grand Prix spectator turnout might reach 37,500 for the Sunday finale.

Traffic during this period will obviously be increased, but strong measures that encompass shuttle buses, free parking in remote lots and security patrols on nearby residential streets have been incorporated into the operating plan.

A recent environmental impact report addressed all of the potential concerns related to the Del Mar event. Forty-seven mitigating measures were mandated, with 17 specifically related to limiting the noise level produced from auto racing, including the installation of sound barriers, the delay of Sunday’s activities until church services conclude, control of the hours of operation (no engine tuning in the garage earlier than 8 a.m. Nov. 7 and 8, and 10 a.m. Nov. 9) and the continuous monitoring of noise during the event.

Remember that this is a 10-day event. The first weekend of vintage car racing poses absolutely no noise problems, and there won’t be any machines running throughout the following week. The 72 hours of the second weekend will produce no more than 12 hours, 20 minutes of racing noise, an average of barely more than four hours per day. This is certainly a positive trade-off for the yearlong benefits that will accrue to North County and all of San Diego.

All of the reports have been written, the exhaustive studies completed. And the definitive conclusion is that the cost-benefit ratio of once-a-year auto racing at the fairgrounds leans exclusively in favor of the Southern California Grand Prix at Del Mar.