| Whether Indy Car race fans or not, none can | | | | media are in town for several days, many are |
| dispute the impact Grand Prix races have on the | | | | staying in local hotel rooms, dining at local |
| city in which they are held. Whether it is decibels | | | | restaurants and visiting local shops and stores." |
| or dollars, the races have a significant effect. | | | | This all adds up to thousands more dollars spent in |
| Take St. Petersburg, Florida, where a recent Indy | | | | St.Pete. |
| Car race was held, for example. The most | | | | And that impact will be repeated each year the |
| pressing issue for many St. Pete residents was | | | | race is held. Of the 70,000 2005 race spectators, |
| the sound. Indy cars are very loud and the | | | | 85.7% of attendees came specifically for the |
| raucous racing took place from 8:30 AM until | | | | race. 6.4%, or 4,480, stayed in commercial lodging |
| about 5:00 PM each day. Depending on where | | | | for a median of two nights. And all of those said |
| residents live, decibel (dB) levels reached from 110 | | | | they would be back for the 2006 race. |
| to 122. How loud is 122 dB? A typical conversation | | | | Rick Mussett, St.Pete's City Development |
| occurs at about 60 dB. Washing machines produce | | | | Administrator feels the positive impact is much |
| 75 dB. A power tool generates about 100 dB. And | | | | greater than the quantifiable $5 million. "The IRL |
| gunshot can cause immediate hearing loss, with | | | | [Indy Racing League] and ESPN reported that the |
| sound reaching 140 to 190 dB, depending on the | | | | 2005 race was broadcast in 203 countries and |
| weapon. | | | | territories and viewed by 309 million households," |
| Because permanent hearing loss occurs at | | | | Mussett stated in an e-mail. "That is probably the |
| extended exposure of 85 dB or more, it's safe to | | | | race's greatest impact on the city-worldwide |
| say the race is dangerously noisy, even for | | | | exposure that gives a significant boost to our |
| non-attendees. But does the Grand Prix produce a | | | | image!" |
| positive effect as well? | | | | Goodwin agrees. When asked if the race has an |
| Only if you call over $5 million in revenue "good." | | | | economic impact beyond the immediate race |
| This figure was one result of the City | | | | days, he said the Grand Prix" might be the best 2 |
| St.Petersburg's 2005 "Honda Grand Prix of | | | | hour economic development/tourism commercial |
| St.Petersburg Economic Impact Study." The study | | | | the city doesn't pay for" due to its broadcast on |
| was done to document the economic impact of | | | | EPSN. "Anything that showcases the city and |
| the 2005 race on the city. It found that, according | | | | incites the viewer to visit, relocate to, or start a |
| to estimates provided by various media sources, | | | | business adds to the economic base of the city." |
| 70,000 spectators attended the three-day event | | | | Additionally, Goodwin said the city Economic |
| in April. | | | | Development department and the Tampa Bay |
| According to the study, "the combined economic | | | | Partnership take advantage of the race's |
| impact of the expenditures of visitors in | | | | international coverage to host foreign press and |
| commercial lodging, seasonal residents, | | | | professional site selectors. These people "then fan |
| day-trippers, and people visiting friends and | | | | out to tell the story of St. Petersburg and its |
| relatives (out-of-county attendees) related to the | | | | surrounding region," says Goodwin. |
| Honda Grand Prix of St.Petersburg is $5, 131,070." | | | | Regardless of one's like or dislike of the Grand |
| This figure reflects only event spectators, and | | | | Prix's noise pollution and three days of |
| excludes impact generated by organizers, | | | | cacophonous activity, there's no denying its |
| sponsors and crews. These groups most likely | | | | long-term positive impact on the city of St.Pete. |
| increase the total amount significantly according to | | | | From immediate dollars spent by fans and crews |
| Dave Goodwin, Economic Development Director. | | | | to the priceless international exposure, Grand Prix |
| "The race teams and their entourages and racing | | | | races are great for the local economy. |