THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503160210
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Beacon readers who responded to a poll last Sunday about trying to attract a Grand Prix auto race to Virginia Beach supported those efforts by a 3-1 margin.
The survey, although unscientific, offered readers a chance to sound off on the issue, which is under study by the city. Of those who called, 214 supported the idea of a race in Virginia Beach and 74 opposed it.
Tom Hubba was among those who would like to see the city continue to explore what it would take to attract such a race.
``It's the best single thing the city of Virginia Beach can do as a single event to attract tourism and give publicity to the city,'' he said. ``If you couldn't do this, then the only other thing you could do in the long term is build more golf courses.''
Parker Bena agreed that it's a good idea.
``I think Virginia Beach should attract Grand Prix racing because coupled with the Formula I track that is being proposed for Brandy Station in Northern Virginia, it would be good for Virginia because it would not only promote tourism but create jobs as well and fall in line with Governor Allen's proposal to create more jobs in Virginia,'' he said.
Added Jim Tabor: ``I think we should try and get this event here. It would be a huge tourist attraction, plus the influx of teams that got to eat and sleep and rent cars and some may even end up buying here because it is a nice area.
``And it might be a good way in terms of TV to showcase Virginia Beach. And that, in turn, may draw other tourism and it would be a good international event to attend.''
Clay Ransone, however, said the city should be looking at other means of bringing in more recreational dollars.
``I don't think the Beach should try to get the Grand Prix or an amphitheater,'' Ransone said. ``They should get a sports arena that would be big enough for the region to draw a professional sports league.''
Mary Hoffman is dead set against it.
``I certainly and emphatically do not think we should bring anything like Grand Prix to Virginia Beach,'' she said. ``We don't have the space and we can't pick up the damage that is done afterward.''
Janice Anderson said she has seen similar efforts fail elsewhere and the city should drop the idea.
``I don't feel Virginia Beach should add Grand Prix auto,'' she said. ``I've been involved in a smaller town that put one in and it was just awful. You could hear the cars miles away. It's extremely noisy.
``They convinced the business people they would see an increase and actually very little increase was seen,'' Anderson added. ``There had to have been an environmental impact.''
Brian Burnham said he too has witnessed like-minded efforts fail in other cities.
``I'm opposed to an auto race for a variety of reasons,'' said Burnham. ``My most important is that I've lived in communities that instituted such programs. For example, Toronto. I've found that benefits are promised up front and without taking in account what the cost would be in terms of noise and air pollution and the disruption of everyday living and business routines.''
Hobie Stevens, however, said the city should proceed full speed on the idea.
``I believe we should attract Grand Prix. With the Formula I cars we will attract the entire world,'' he said. ``It will attract tourism and get the name of Virginia Beach out to the entire world. Any type of open wheel racing, I'll support 100 percent.''
Several city officials and businessmen recently flew to Florida on a fact-finding trip to attend the Grand Prix of Miami, but no other plans have been announced about pursuing a race in Virginia Beach. by CNB