MARCH MEET IS GOLDEN FOR KERN COUNTY
Tue, 2008-02-26 04:27
Nostalgia drag racing’s biggest event, the March Meet (Mar. 7-9, at
historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway), is celebrating its golden
anniversary this year. Not surprisingly, the world famous 50-year-old
event is also golden to the Kern County economy, worth millions in
tourist dollars. Based on last year’s super-successful event, it’s
estimated that the 2008 race could bring more than $6.5 million.
As teams complete their preparations for the three-day speed festival, hoteliers, restaurateurs and local shops are among those who will get ready to count the money coming into the county, according to Blake Bowser, a member of the board of the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and vice president of Auto Club Famoso Raceway, which hosts the annual event. Bowser said “the March Meet is Bakersfield’s biggest event and draws more than 30,000 spectators. We have racers and fans coming to Bakersfield from Europe, Australia, Canada and all over the U.S. and they spend a lot of money in this county. Our merchants know this and they spread out the welcome mat. Auto parts stores, hotels, grocers, restaurants and gas stations will feel a direct impact, but the influx of money will continue to spread throughout the county.” Nostalgia drag racing’s biggest event, the March Meet (Mar. 7-9, at historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway), is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. Not surprisingly, the world famous 50-year-old event is also golden to the Kern County economy, worth millions in tourist dollars. Based on last year’s super-successful event, it’s estimated that the 2008 race could bring more than $6.5 million.
As teams complete their preparations for the three-day speed festival, hoteliers, restaurateurs and local shops are among those who will get ready to count the money coming into the county, according to Blake Bowser, a member of the board of the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and vice president of Auto Club Famoso Raceway, which hosts the annual event. Bowser said “the March Meet is Bakersfield’s biggest event and draws more than 30,000 spectators. We have racers and fans coming to Bakersfield from Europe, Australia, Canada and all over the U.S. and they spend a lot of money in this county. Our merchants know this and they spread out the welcome mat. Auto parts stores, hotels, grocers, restaurants and gas stations will feel a direct impact, but the influx of money will continue to spread throughout the county.”
Additionally, Bowser said a combination of the March Meet’s 50th celebration and being the inaugural event in the NHRA’s new Hot Rod Heritage Series should make this the biggest one in its history. “Ticket sales are way ahead of last year and it could sell out. Hotels are booked throughout the county. This is one Bakersfield will be really proud of.”
Especially the Bakersfield economy.
As teams complete their preparations for the three-day speed festival, hoteliers, restaurateurs and local shops are among those who will get ready to count the money coming into the county, according to Blake Bowser, a member of the board of the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and vice president of Auto Club Famoso Raceway, which hosts the annual event. Bowser said “the March Meet is Bakersfield’s biggest event and draws more than 30,000 spectators. We have racers and fans coming to Bakersfield from Europe, Australia, Canada and all over the U.S. and they spend a lot of money in this county. Our merchants know this and they spread out the welcome mat. Auto parts stores, hotels, grocers, restaurants and gas stations will feel a direct impact, but the influx of money will continue to spread throughout the county.” Nostalgia drag racing’s biggest event, the March Meet (Mar. 7-9, at historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway), is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. Not surprisingly, the world famous 50-year-old event is also golden to the Kern County economy, worth millions in tourist dollars. Based on last year’s super-successful event, it’s estimated that the 2008 race could bring more than $6.5 million.
As teams complete their preparations for the three-day speed festival, hoteliers, restaurateurs and local shops are among those who will get ready to count the money coming into the county, according to Blake Bowser, a member of the board of the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and vice president of Auto Club Famoso Raceway, which hosts the annual event. Bowser said “the March Meet is Bakersfield’s biggest event and draws more than 30,000 spectators. We have racers and fans coming to Bakersfield from Europe, Australia, Canada and all over the U.S. and they spend a lot of money in this county. Our merchants know this and they spread out the welcome mat. Auto parts stores, hotels, grocers, restaurants and gas stations will feel a direct impact, but the influx of money will continue to spread throughout the county.”
Additionally, Bowser said a combination of the March Meet’s 50th celebration and being the inaugural event in the NHRA’s new Hot Rod Heritage Series should make this the biggest one in its history. “Ticket sales are way ahead of last year and it could sell out. Hotels are booked throughout the county. This is one Bakersfield will be really proud of.”
Especially the Bakersfield economy.
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