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Highlands Today

Did Races Rev Up Local Economy?

JASMINA MEYER/Highlands Today

From left: Paddock vendor Jack Carton of Auto Brass helps his customer, Ben Przekop, with various books on racing during the 57th Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday at Sebring International Raceway. In the early afternoon, Carton said that business was not very good and that this year's attendance was lower than last year, resulting in less buying.

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By GARY PINNELL

Highlands Today

Published: March 23, 2009

SEBRING - In this recessionary economy, local business owners are taking anything they can get, and that certainly includes race week.

Two years ago, motels were filled all the way to Bowling Green, 45 miles away. This year, Reed's Motel in Avon Park required, but did not always get, a five-day guaranteed stay from its customers during race week.

"We got pretty full," said Manager Tami Lott. "The only reason why we have a couple of rooms now is that the Pastorelli team - they won't be in the final race."

Now, it's back to booking golf packages to survive the summer, a listless time for motels, because the snowbirds have gone home and only a few events are planned that will bring outsiders to Highlands County.

With the exception of Sebring Diner, the local restaurants didn't see a traffic jam from Twelve Hours of Sebring drivers.

"We got a few drivers in the morning," said Sandy Jones, owner of Sandy's Circle Cafe.

Except for wearing colorful flame-retardant suits, they were no different from the rest of the crowd, she said. "They did tip more."

"They're just regular guys," said Bobby Fulcher, owner of Caddyshack Bar & Grill, which catered events at the race track.

"They are very well behaved," said Lott. "Very pleasant. In late and out early."

At the entrance to the track, hundreds of golf carts were lined up last week, waiting to be rented for $75 a day from Mid-Florida Golf Cars of Deland. In a roped-off area of parking lot, 1,000 brown cylinders of nitrogen were stored.

"They're pre-ordered," said Rob Mosier, Lakeland branch manager for Airgas, which will get $70 for each bottle. Among other purposes, nitrogen is used to power air tools and inflate tires.

Under the Corvette tents were two $850,000 racers. They were surrounded by three semi-trucks and trailers, carrying computers, spare engines and transmissions, and brunch buffet for three dozen drivers, technicians and other personnel.

What is Corvette's investment, under these 3,000 square-foot tents? Ten million dollars? Twenty million? Thirty million?

"Let's just say it's a substantial investment," said Doug Fehan, program manager for the racing team. He receives visitors in an executive lounge with built-in leather couches in the back of the tech trailer.

Why does Corvette spend this much money on racing?

It sells cars, Fehan replied frankly.

Twelve Hours of Sebring tickets cost from $80 to $500. Motels and restaurants and gas stations sold rooms and meals and fuel. Merchants lined up along the street in front of the racing grandstands to sell T-shirts, Cokes, aspirin, Steve McQueen jackets, and fire suits like the drivers wear. Dozens of workers found temporary jobs during race week.

How many dollars passed under the entrance sign at Sebring International Raceway every year? An economic study has never been conducted, but the answer is expressed in millions, perhaps billions.

Highlands Today reporter Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863-386-5828

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