Business

Regardless of Indy car racing fans or not, can not bear the consequences of Grand Prix races contested in the city, where they are held. Whether it's race decibels or dollars had a significant effect.

Take St. Petersburg, Florida, where a recent Indy car race rather than, for example. The most pressing problem for many residents of St. Pete was the sound. Indy cars are very loud and noisy, the race was held from 8:30 to approximately 5:00 days every day. Depending on where people live, the decibel (dB) levels of 110 to 122 have been achieved. How loud is 122 dB? A typical conversation at about 60 dB. Washing machines produce 75 dB. A power tool generates over 100 dB. Shots and it can lead to hearing damage, reaching 140 to 190 dB sound, depending on the weapon.

Since permanent hearing loss occurs in longer exposure of 85 dB or more, is it safe to say that the race is dangerously high, even for non-subscribers. But the Grand Prix to have a positive impact, as well?

Only if you make more than 5 million U.S. dollars in revenues "good".

This figure was the result of the city of St. Petersburg 's 2005 "Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Economic Impact Study." The study was conducted to document the economic impact of the 2005 contest for the city. It was found that according to calculations made from various media sources available, 70,000 spectators attended the three-day event in April.

According to the survey, the overall economic impact of spending by visitors in commercial accommodation, seasonal accommodation, trippers today and people visiting friends and relatives (out-of-district visitors) to the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in connection is $ 5, 131,070 . "

This figure includes only the viewers and the effects of the organizers, sponsors and teams that are generated. Those groups most likely to significantly affect the overall Dave Goodwin, Economic Development Director. "The race teams and their entourages and the media race is in town for several days, many living in the local hotel, eat at restaurants, visit local shops and department stores." All this amounts to thousands of dollars spent in St.Peter.

And these effects are repeated every year, competition is being held. Of the 70,000 2005 race spectators 85.7% of visitors came specifically for the race. 6.4%, or 4480, stayed in commercial accommodation for a median of two nights. And anyone who said they would be back to contest 2006th

Rick Musset, St. Petes City Development Officer feels the benefits are much greater than the quantifiable $ 5 million. "IRL [Indy Racing League], and ESPN reported that the race was in 2005 203 countries and territories and is received by 309 million households," Musset said in an e-mail. "This is likely to have the greatest impact on the city races worldwide exposure with a significant strengthening of our picture!"

Goodwin agrees. On the issue of race has an economic impact beyond the immediate days of racing, "he said Grand Prix would be the best 2 hours of economic development / tourism business districts in the city does not pay for" their broadcast on EPSN. "Something that shows the city and invites the viewer to visit, relocate, or start a business complementary to the economic base in the city.

In addition, Goodwin said the city's economic development department and the Tampa Bay Partnership, you benefit from an international selection of the race to foreign newspapers and professional site selectors host. These people ", to aerate the story of St. Petersburg to tell and the surrounding region," says Goodwin.

Regardless of his likes or dislikes the noise and the Grand Prix in three days cacophonous activity, it can not be denied that their long-term positive impact on the city of St.Peter. From now on dollars from fans and the team who spent valuable international exposure, Grand Prix races for the local economy in size.