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.”