OKC Grand Prix

[Steve]

If I understand Steve's article correctly, this $6.9 million is for capital costs, which I take to mean permanent modifications to city streets. That means they won't be able to modify the course year-to-year. Unless, of course, the city ponies up more money every year for new improvements on a changed course.

Furthermore, this is $6.9 million for capital improvements that will be of no practical value for 364 days out of the year.

I would also like to know where the $6.9 million will come from. Will something else be cut to make this happen? Was the city deliberately vague about MAPS3 commitments because they knew going into it projects would be reduced or eliminated to fund this?

The capital costs would not be for street improvements, but rather for barriers, etc., needed for the race. City staff responds there has not been a determination yet as to which fund the $6.9 million would come from.

[bornhere]

In that case, maybe the promoters of this thing could buy, maintain and store their own &$@* barricades.

[bluedogok]

The ALMS race from Mosport/Toronto is on Speed right now.

[Steve]

What is Speed?

[bluedogok]

Speed TV (SpeedTV.com), it is a Fox sports network.
Not sure what channel it is on Cox, it is 607 on Directv.

Looked it up, on Cox, channel 65/728 HD

[Rover]

I don't think the city should pay for ANYTHING for ANYBODY. Lets go back to crawling in the same hole we were in for 50 years until we become the 3rd world entity we were on course for prior to the last 10 years. (sarcasm intended)

Shhesh. We have private enterprises risking their money on projects that could have a great payoff for the city and its inhabitants. Yet there are still many who resent any public support for anything. And they we have the gall to criticize SandRidge when they appear to be looking out only for themselves. That is the message many want to send. Fend for yourself...period.

[bluedogok]

Most have no problem spending other peoples money on whatever interests them, if they have no interest then they don't think any money should be spent.

[rkjg24]

I think there's sufficient public interest in this.

[Steve]

Polling?

[Platemaker]

Let's make a poll.... mods?

[Steve]

scientific polling?

[Platemaker]

LOL... okay Steve!!! You can't convince me you're not anti-prix now!

[rkjg24]

At least I'm not the only one that thinks that.

[Watson410]

I'm VERY VERY interested! I think this would be a great thing for OKC... More national exposure. Egos aside, Project 180 and the Grand Prix need to work together to get this event to work.

[Steve]

I'm not anti-prix. I'm anti hype.

[Kerry]

The capital costs would not be for street improvements, but rather for barriers, etc., needed for the race. City staff responds there has not been a determination yet as to which fund the $6.9 million would come from.

So if the race got canceled after a few years we could sell the barriers, grandstands, etc. and get some of the money back. Could they also be used for other city events during the rest of the year?

[Steve]

Good questions.

[Urban Pioneer]

Speed TV (SpeedTV.com), it is a Fox sports network.
Not sure what channel it is on Cox, it is 607 on Directv.

Looked it up, on Cox, channel 65/728 HD

I love speed. They do a good job covering MotoGP.

[Watson410]

SPEED is the best race channel!!! I watch quiet a few shows/races on there. I watch A LOT of 250cc and 450cc Supercross and Motocross. I wish OKC had a decent enough stadium so we could get a Supercrss race! Now that would be AAAWWWEESSSOOOMMMEEE!!

[Watson410]

Can someone please make a poll?!? I don't know how to do all that..

[bluedogok]

Their MotoGP coverage of most races (all but the US rounds like today and Laguna a couple of months) ago is actually the world feed coverage, all the graphics are world feed. I had the online subscription the previous three season because they shifted the coverage around all over the day and I got tired of that, Thankfully this season they are showing the feature live so most of the time it is sitting on my VCR when I wake up on Sunday morning like the F1 coverage. I hate it when they move the F1 race coverage to Fox because they show it tape delay.

[jn1780]

So if the race got canceled after a few years we could sell the barriers, grandstands, etc. and get some of the money back. Could they also be used for other city events during the rest of the year?

I don't see why these things can't be rented/shared with other cities.

[bornhere]

Yeah, after two years we can sell them to the next city suckered into hosting this. In fact, maybe we can buy them used from one of the numerous other cities who've already tried it.

[Larry OKC]

Although encouraged by the possibility that this would be a loan that would be paid back in 10 years, collateral needs to be but up and it needs to be paid back with interest (the City would have to pay interest if they borrowed it). While Steve has indicated the $6.9M is NOT for capital improvements there could be considerable costs to the City by the damage these cars do to the streets (according to former Mayor Norick). IF this is such a "no brainer" sure fired guaranteed money maker as the promoter claims, then he shouldn't have any problem going to a bank and getting a loan for the $6.9M. If a bank won't touch it, neither should the City.

[Kerry]

Yeah, after two years we can sell them to the next city suckered into hosting this. In fact, maybe we can buy them used from one of the numerous other cities who've already tried it.

I know this is your attempt at self-loathing but it is a good idea. Maybe the $6.9 million is the 'used' cost.