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From Local News
Brought to you by Sunny King Honda
Talladega Economic Impact
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Huge crowds of race fans are rolling into Talladega. But the stands may not hold as many fans as in previous years. Part of the problem for some is the growing cost of coming to Talladega. Andrew Smith with Talladega Superspeedway says in 2000, an economic impact study showed the races bringing in around 407-million dollars in revenue. He says that's come down a little as attendance has decreased. But fans are still finding ways to make it there despite financial obstacles.
"You can't put a dollar on fun." But Seth Howell isn't shelling out the big bucks at Talladega this year. He's camping with a group of 15. "We got a whole week of fun for 200-dollars, where else can you do that.. Talladega." Not bad considering, many motel rooms cost that much for just one night.
John Massengale says "We'll you figure the cost of a hotel room at night, Roy owns the camper. I'm saving a ton of money." The average race fan travels about 300 miles one way to see the action and it's tugging at their wallets this year. To get to Talladega Super Speedway, it's costing race fans double to fill up and that's a concern for some business owners who didn't do as well last year. The gas prices like they are, people don't have money to pay the high dollar prices, so there are not as many fans coming to the races. Randy Green says last year was the first time in 15 years McCaig motels didn't fill-up.. even though they're charging less than some of the bigger chains. "More race fans are middle class people like we are, so they have to budget money also." That's why the Superspeedway is offering free camping and helping race fans find more affordable rooms. Andrew Smith says "We're working with a group called degarooms.com and that a group that works with hotels." An effort to prevent the economy from keeping fans away.
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Keywords: Talladega, race fans, Talladega Superspeedway, economic impact,
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