Editorial: Give Boston’s IndyCar race a green flag

[unhappycamper]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2016/03/19/give-boston-indycar-race-green-flag/2nptTeHT68N38IbdZ57eUP/story.html



Cars navigated a turn during the IndyCar Series Baltimore Grand Prix in 2013.

Give Boston’s IndyCar race a green flag
March 20, 2016

The Labor Day weekend forecast calls for high-velocity action, with roaring 700-horsepower engines, squealing brakes, and swarming crowds. Start your engines.

The IndyCar race and related events scheduled for Sept. 2-4 in the Seaport District promise the kind of spectacle Boston’s old guard would have fled from in fifth gear. Consider that the centerpiece will be a 2.2-mile course that can handle cars zooming at speeds of up to 180 miles per hour. Not exactly a laid-back holiday weekend on the waterfront. While some skeptics remain loudly opposed, city and state agencies have for months been working closely with the race’s organizers to ensure that the first-ever Grand Prix of Boston is entertaining and safe, without a single taxpayer dollar being put at risk. If the planning pans out, the race will provide a burst of excitement — as well as a financial boost — to offset the malaise that typically descends at summer’s end. But before organizers get the green flag, they must gain approvals and permits related to construction, traffic, public safety, alcohol sales, security, and other matters — a checklist that should call attention to any serious flaws in need of fixing.

The race, which is being privately financed at an undisclosed cost, is part of the popular Verizon IndyCar circuit. By the time the professional drivers pull into town, they already will have made stops in Detroit, Indianapolis, Toronto, and other locations. Organizers of the Boston event began selling tickets last week, and say about 22,000 were bought almost immediately. They estimate 170,000 people will attend one or all of the three days, which also will feature musical performances, beer gardens, a “family fun zone,” fireworks, and a job fair for veterans. Therace promoters hope to make the Grand Prix of Boston an annual happening over the next five years.

That depends on how smoothly things go in September. Because multiple jurisdictions are involved — due to the course geography — the race faces many layers of scrutiny, including from the City of Boston, the state Department of Transportation, Massport, the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, and the United States Postal Service. In addition, the promoters have submitted an application to the Boston Public Improvements Commission, which regulates rights of way. That board has scheduled a March 31 public hearing on the matter.

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This is just another stupid idea to make $$$$ off of sports; similar to GE moving its corporate HQ to Boston.

What does Boston gain from sponsoring these races? How much do the mystery investors and Verizon make from this?

My personal take is fuck no.

[MichMan]

1. Investor profits are not what you think

If people actually think there is a lot of $$ to be made by Verizon and investors in these type of events they are sorely mistaken. They are generally conducted as a way to provide visibility and excitement to a region and promote civic pride. Take Verizon for instance, they sponsor the entire series as a form or marketing and advertising to promote their brand. Sure if they didn't think they sell more phones and services than it cost, they wouldn't be doing it, but they will not be making profits from the event itself.

The people who make money at these events are the hotels, restaurants, bars, and catering services located within the area of the track etc. The track construction can be quite disruptive, so the people who generally lose are the flower shops, dry cleaners, other retail firms etc, that lose business when their customers won't go though the hassle of trying to get there. Most of the gains to the region are perhaps not just financial but intangible; promotion of the area and civic pride. I imagine the Boston Marathon is similar in that regard

While races at places like Long Beach, St Petersburg, and Toronto have successfully run these street races for decades, most of them only last few years once the novelty wears off. They can be expensive to put on and without enough corporate sponsors, they are tough to justify to the taxpayers. That being said, those cities that have conducted them for long periods of time, do see that they create vibrance, good for the economy and are worth putting on every year.

In Detroit for instance, Roger Penske spends much more putting on the race than he ever gets in return. Why would he do that? Love of the city, a desire to promote the region, place to bring customers and employees for hospitality and corporate events etc. Every one of those race cars also have sponsors that want to promote their brand in point of sale promotions and/or corporate hospitality.

[unhappycamper]

3. Show me the money

When it comes to these kinds of events, I want to know:

1. Which politicians got paid and how much did did they get paid?

2. Was there any upfront money paid to ANYBODY by IndyCar or anyone associated with them?

3. Why is Walsh on board with this? He appears to be a smart man.

We went though the Boston 20124 crap and now this.

[6chars]

2. what a stupid idea

cities are designed to be cities. race tracks can be race tracks. this is basically seizing the public assets for a couple of days in order to benefit a few private parties. Sports fans in Boston have plenty to watch already, if I am not mistaken.
Just stupid.