ABC-7 Top Story, SBI Race
07-03-2009, 04:14 PM
#1
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ABC-7 Top Story, SBI Race
Here is the TV news spot,
http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/cat...&nav=menu577_5
SARASOTA - The Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix festival is in full gear. Thursday evening, the festival's parade of boats shut down the streets in downtown Sarasota. The festival is bringing in the crowds and their cash to the Suncoast at a time when it's really needed.
Thousands of spectators came out to watch the parade. The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau says the festival gives the Suncoast a huge boost, bringing in an estimated $9 million to the local economy.
This is the 25th year of the grand prix, and the convention bureau's Erin Duggan says the festival is one of the biggest money makers during the summer. "In research that we did last year, in 2008, studies showed that about 50% of the folks going to the festival are not from Sarasota County. And as you can imagine, those 50% that are traveling here, a lot of them are choosing to stay in hotels and eat at our restaurants, and shop in our retail shops, and visit our attractions. So it has a huge economic impact on Sarasota County."
Hotels like the Hyatt Regency Sarasota are packed full with race teams and race fans. Come this weekend, the 294-room hotel won't have a room available. "It is critical, because July obviously is not our peak time. We've all seen the rain the last few days, and the race fans are coming regardless," says Mark Becker from the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.
"We as a crew come here and we occupy eight rooms for five nights...that's 40 days," says Bob Teague with Team Amsoil.
Most of the people that come with these teams spend quite a bit of money -- they go to the nicer restaurants, they stay in the nicer hotels.
Many race fans do the same. More than 50,000 people are estimated to take part in the festival, which is a favorite with both the fans and the racers they come here to watch. "For the last 25 years, we've spent our Fourth of July here in Sarasota, and we wouldn't know how to stay home, actually," says Teague.
There are plenty of other events gong on before the big race day on Sunday. For more information, visit www.suncoastoffshore.org/.
http://www.mysuncoast.com/Global/cat...&nav=menu577_5
SARASOTA - The Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix festival is in full gear. Thursday evening, the festival's parade of boats shut down the streets in downtown Sarasota. The festival is bringing in the crowds and their cash to the Suncoast at a time when it's really needed.
Thousands of spectators came out to watch the parade. The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau says the festival gives the Suncoast a huge boost, bringing in an estimated $9 million to the local economy.
This is the 25th year of the grand prix, and the convention bureau's Erin Duggan says the festival is one of the biggest money makers during the summer. "In research that we did last year, in 2008, studies showed that about 50% of the folks going to the festival are not from Sarasota County. And as you can imagine, those 50% that are traveling here, a lot of them are choosing to stay in hotels and eat at our restaurants, and shop in our retail shops, and visit our attractions. So it has a huge economic impact on Sarasota County."
Hotels like the Hyatt Regency Sarasota are packed full with race teams and race fans. Come this weekend, the 294-room hotel won't have a room available. "It is critical, because July obviously is not our peak time. We've all seen the rain the last few days, and the race fans are coming regardless," says Mark Becker from the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.
"We as a crew come here and we occupy eight rooms for five nights...that's 40 days," says Bob Teague with Team Amsoil.
Most of the people that come with these teams spend quite a bit of money -- they go to the nicer restaurants, they stay in the nicer hotels.
Many race fans do the same. More than 50,000 people are estimated to take part in the festival, which is a favorite with both the fans and the racers they come here to watch. "For the last 25 years, we've spent our Fourth of July here in Sarasota, and we wouldn't know how to stay home, actually," says Teague.
There are plenty of other events gong on before the big race day on Sunday. For more information, visit www.suncoastoffshore.org/.
07-03-2009, 06:25 PM
#3
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OK so where the heck are the pics???
07-03-2009, 07:27 PM
#4
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07-04-2009, 04:14 PM
#5
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Some of the pics were taken with an older 8mb Nikon 8700, and some with a newer 10mb Nikon D80 with a Sigma 18-200 lens. Mark asked me if I thought we should bring the 500mm lens, I said no. Next time we won’t leave home without it.
To see all 370 pictures go to
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ViewSlid....1246741357668
07-04-2009, 04:14 PM
#6
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Additional pictures will be posted in the SBI race section here
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...pits-pics.html
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...pits-pics.html
Last edited by AppSysCons; 07-04-2009 at 04:36 PM.
