10-06-2009, 06:40 AM
I'd say test the idea first with a "cheaper" racing event. (Cheaper in quotes relatively speaking.) If they suceed, then sure - go bigger.
Something like a "Tour de Waukegan" cycling event. That would be neat to see. And coordination and event planning could have the route closed off in a day and open the next. Unlike auto racing, it would be much less to insure. A bicycle wreck is unlikely to kill anyone nor damage property. And there's plenty of room for spectators using a similar route to the currently proposed auto route. Unlike a professional circuit motorsport event, I'd see no harm in having local entrants for various racing runs through the day. (A short race for kids, and maybe a few non-professional fund raising cycling events before the multi-lap race of pro cyclists.) Lot of bicycle shops and Cyclists in Lake and adjacent county would probably get a kick out of something like that happening here. With the lake being nearby, might even be able to throw in a triathlon or two in addition to cycling only races.
Alternately hold a much smaller motorsports event. Amstutz all by itself would make a great temporary drag strip. (I'm pretty sure it's straight for a quarter mile if you put staging and pits just off of Greenwood. Plenty of rooms for temporary stands near the starting line.) If a drag racing event could be held there, it'd be cool to coordinate with the Scoop da Loop (or whatever it's officially called now). Since Amstutz is pretty well isolated from most private property, you could reasonalbly allow non-pros to sign a waiver and pay for a safety inspection ticket so they could do a drag race there legally during the event. Not to mention I'd like to see if some of those cars at The Scoop aren't just all show. It would be a bigger draw if people could see some real action, and some car owners wouldn't mind having a few bragging rights outside of the looks category.
Notice my alternate ideas aren't just racing for the pros and outsiders, but would have locals actually being able to participate for part of the event. And beyond money spent by spectatorship, participants would be a neat opportunity for additional fundraising. Also seeing a coworker, buddy, or neighbor race might even be a bigger draw for some folks than pros in a sport they normally don't follow.
Something like a "Tour de Waukegan" cycling event. That would be neat to see. And coordination and event planning could have the route closed off in a day and open the next. Unlike auto racing, it would be much less to insure. A bicycle wreck is unlikely to kill anyone nor damage property. And there's plenty of room for spectators using a similar route to the currently proposed auto route. Unlike a professional circuit motorsport event, I'd see no harm in having local entrants for various racing runs through the day. (A short race for kids, and maybe a few non-professional fund raising cycling events before the multi-lap race of pro cyclists.) Lot of bicycle shops and Cyclists in Lake and adjacent county would probably get a kick out of something like that happening here. With the lake being nearby, might even be able to throw in a triathlon or two in addition to cycling only races.
Alternately hold a much smaller motorsports event. Amstutz all by itself would make a great temporary drag strip. (I'm pretty sure it's straight for a quarter mile if you put staging and pits just off of Greenwood. Plenty of rooms for temporary stands near the starting line.) If a drag racing event could be held there, it'd be cool to coordinate with the Scoop da Loop (or whatever it's officially called now). Since Amstutz is pretty well isolated from most private property, you could reasonalbly allow non-pros to sign a waiver and pay for a safety inspection ticket so they could do a drag race there legally during the event. Not to mention I'd like to see if some of those cars at The Scoop aren't just all show. It would be a bigger draw if people could see some real action, and some car owners wouldn't mind having a few bragging rights outside of the looks category.
Notice my alternate ideas aren't just racing for the pros and outsiders, but would have locals actually being able to participate for part of the event. And beyond money spent by spectatorship, participants would be a neat opportunity for additional fundraising. Also seeing a coworker, buddy, or neighbor race might even be a bigger draw for some folks than pros in a sport they normally don't follow.