[Southsider2k12]

Big news coming soon? Sounds like Michigan City and the Super Boat International series could be closing in on a 5 YEAR CONTRACT for the Great Lakes Grand Prix race to stay right here in MC during that amount of time.

[ChickenCityRoller]

That's good news! Yesterday was a great day for that event. Now we need to convince the rest of the fleet to make the trip. There weren't many boats this year.

[taxthedeer]

That's good news! Yesterday was a great day for that event. Now we need to convince the rest of the fleet to make the trip. There weren't many boats this year.

Glad that they will be coming back every year for the foreseeable future. I enjoy the events leading up to the race moreso than the actual race itself.

I agree with CCR there needs to be more vessels competing. Last year there was only 9 boats, this year only 13. I came and watch the first heat and two of the smaller boats broke down after the first couple of laps and the Lucas Oil boat sounded like it had emphysema and was lapped by the other four larger boats.

[Southsider2k12]

That's good news! Yesterday was a great day for that event. Now we need to convince the rest of the fleet to make the trip. There weren't many boats this year.

I saw someone on facebook saying they were trying to get another great lakes race done immediately after City's to make it more palatable to racing teams to come up here. Hopefully that is true.

[ChickenCityRoller]

I saw someone on facebook saying they were trying to get another great lakes race done immediately after City's to make it more palatable to racing teams to come up here. Hopefully that is true.

I think the bad taste came from the year it was cancelled, followed up with the next year of only one race and a shortened course. Hopefully word will travel amongst the circuit that it makes sense to come up here.
One would think any team in the running for the points race would have to make it.

[Southsider2k12]

Estimates for this Grand Prix are 110,000 people attending.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/michi...17a43b2370.html

[taxthedeer]

Just heard Ron Miller give an interesting report.

Jason Miller, the person who was the driving force of bringing the boat race here was terminated from his position at the La Porte County and Convention Bureau the day after this years boat race was over.

He also reported that the City of La Porte's Park and Rec. superintendent was given the option of resigning or be fired the day after the Maple City Grand Prix was over and days later Michigan City Park and Rec. Superintendent Jan Orlich was given the option of resigning or be fired just days later.

[Southsider2k12]

Just heard Ron Miller give an interesting report.

Jason Miller, the person who was the driving force of bringing the boat race here was terminated from his position at the La Porte County and Convention Bureau the day after this years boat race was over.

He also reported that the City of La Porte's Park and Rec. superintendent was given the option of resigning or be fired the day after the Maple City Grand Prix was over and days later Michigan City Park and Rec. Superintendent Jan Orlich was given the option of resigning or be fired just days later.

Wow. I wonder what is going on?

[diggler]

Just heard Ron Miller give an interesting report.

Jason Miller, the person who was the driving force of bringing the boat race here was terminated from his position at the La Porte County and Convention Bureau the day after this years boat race was over.

He also reported that the City of La Porte's Park and Rec. superintendent was given the option of resigning or be fired the day after the Maple City Grand Prix was over and days later Michigan City Park and Rec. Superintendent Jan Orlich was given the option of resigning or be fired just days later.

Wow. I wonder what is going on?

Everyone had a GREAT time there, including me. So WHAT HAPPENED ??

_

[Southsider2k12]

The Great Lake Grand Prix weekend is being credited with adding $8 million to the local economy, and having about 155,000 in attendance.

And it should be Jason Miller taking credit here, IMO.

http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/gre...022b704a1a.html

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...930bd1d072.html

16 hours ago • Stan Maddux Times Correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY | One of Northwest Indiana's biggest events will continue for at least another five years.

A contract extension through 2019 has been signed with Super Boat International, the organization that stages the Great Lakes Grand Prix.

The race featuring boats traveling faster than 100 mph has drawn 100,000 or more spectators in each of the six years that it's been held along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Michigan City.

Race day attendance plus turnout for the boat parade, downtown block party and other events during the week leading up to the race adds up to about a quarter million people, said Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer.

"This has a significant and positive economic impact on our area," Meer said.

Michigan City in 2009 was added to the Super Boat International race schedule, which includes cities such as Mobile, Ala., and Key West, Fla.

Jack Arnett, executive director of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the organization was eager to work out an extension of the existing three year contract that ends in 2015.

Such enthusiasm shows just how strong the response has been to the event in Michigan City, considering the group could secure deals to have races in just about any city along a major waterway, he said.

"There's folks waiting in the wings to grab these openings," Arnett said.

Arnett said the bureau shells out about $150,000 a year to have the event with $85,000 of that going up front to Super Boat International.

The remainder is used to promote the races.

An increasing percentage of those funds come from a growing number of local sponsors, Arnett said.

The return on the investment is huge, he said, with studies revealing anywhere from $5 million to $8 million spent each year by race fans in local businesses such as hotels and restaurants.

In fact, records were set for the race last year in terms of economic impact and attendance.

"It has to be right up there with the top events across Indiana certainly north of Indianapolis," said Arnett.

Meer said the race has become a "signature event" for the community and a major opportunity to showcase Michigan City, particularly the revitalizing downtown, to the people coming to watch the boats from outside the area.

"With a commitment to have even more teams and boats here for future races, this event will continue to grow and display our community, its businesses and citizens in a positive light" Meer said.