AirFest, race set for same weekend

[The Snout]

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/07/Ta..._set_for.shtml

[Tim Northcutt]

I think that this stinks...unless the Blue Angels can do a fly-over for the ALMS race on Sat. and the IRL race on Sun.


That would be cool....but both will compete for people to attend...and the AirFest is a HUGE event there...I lived in Tampa in the 1980s and I went every year that they held it...

[indycool]

Don't really understand why the Blue Angels would be flying an Air Force show. Think that'd be the Thunderbirds.

[Tim Northcutt]

It usually is the Thunderbirds...at least it was for many years...

[indycool]

Checked the Blue Angels schedule and they're flying a lot of AFB shows in '07......that's pretty unusual.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker

Their event is actually paid for by the government and given away for free, and now it's competing with a private event - the largest downtown weekend event in our year.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/07/Ta..._set_for.shtml
I can see why this would upset people.

Originally Posted by Tampa developer Al Austin

I tell you this, the Tampa Bay area has, what, about 4-million people, soo when you have two events simultaneously, I think there's a possibility no one will suffer.

I don't think this is the case. Over here it makes a difference when we have Goodwood and Flying Legends on at the same time, or eventhe GP and Flying Legends. You can't go to both, and there are many who would. It is morelikely that both events and the people who want to go to both will suffer.

[SPRacer]

As a resident of this area, I think this will be a problem. The marketing for the race is aimed at people who don't know much about open-wheel racing - trying to lure people to the race who are "looking for something to do." With the fan base not quite yet being built up to what they want here, it is sure to take a hit as these people are more likely to attend the free air show, which, as Tim mentioned, is a VERY well-established and popluar event.

I think the best bet would be to try and find a way to market them together.