THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408240676
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Labor Day weekend on the Oceanfront this year will feature the Beach Boys instead of the Riddler; Billy Ray Cyrus instead of Pete Rose; and Blood, Sweat and Tears instead of Armed & Dangerous.
In other words, the promoters of Labor Day weekend festivities along the Oceanfront have decided to go with the American Music Festival instead of the Virginia Beach Offshore Grand Prix powerboat race.
Jim Ricketts, director of the city Department of Convention and Visitor Development, said Events Unlimited's steering committee felt that the American Music Festival would fill more hotel and motel rooms.
``That seems to be the case, too,'' he said. ``The hotel and motel owners tell me that reservations for the Labor Day weekend are running ahead of last year.''
Last year, spectators for the ocean powerboat race, featuring 50-foot boats capable of running more than 125 mph, totaled between 50,000 and 100,000. There was no way to get an actual count because it didn't cost anything to watch the race, and it was impossible to say who came to the Oceanfront to see the race and who watched the race simply because it was there.
It'll be different this time. Virginia Beach Events Unlimited, which put about $150,000 of city money into staging the race, will be charging admission to the concerts. Ricketts said the initial cost for the music festival will be $233,000. A roped-off area between Fifth and Seventh streets will accommodate about 20,000 spectators, Ricketts said.
The loss of the Labor Day weekend race does not mean the end of such racing, according to Bob Veith, who was chairman of the race for the previous three years.
``In trying to bring a race back to the city, we'll be looking at it as more of a shoulder event, before the traditional Memorial Day weekend,'' he said. ``That's when we originally planned to hold the race. But two years ago the city talked us into going with it as the centerpiece of the Labor Day weekend.
``The only problem with a May race is the same one we had in the past - unpredictable weather. Right now, I can't say that we'll have a race next May. There are only 10 national races and when someone drops out, someone else moves in. Now we'll have to wait for some city to drop out.''
Last year's highlight came when the InxS became the first boat to complete the 145-mile course at more than 100 mph, averaging 104.5.
The 1992 race was highlighted by the participation of former baseball great Pete Rose. He teamed with Alan Fuentes of Virginia Beach in the boat Hit King to win the top class.
But the race had problems before that, mostly with the weather. The first two planned races, in May 1990 and May 1991, had to be scrubbed because of blustery winds and rough seas.
``The weather factor certainly didn't help the situation,'' Ricketts said of the decision not to stage a race in 1994.
``Personally, I'm sorry. I really liked the race and all its color. I thought it was a great event. The people were top quality. Plus, the racing association worked so long and so hard to make it a great race. I feel sorry for them.'' by CNB