Vrooming up Russell Street

Terry and I were ambling towards our favorite haunt beyond center field late yesterday afternoon.  The streets were nearly deserted as we crossed Russell Street, as most folks already checked out for the holidays.

Out of nowhere a car careened around the corner, creating a bit of excitement.

"I think the Grand Prix is underway," Terry quipped as we dashed across the median.  Terry had good reason to think so, based on the good news he'd just heard.

Hard to believe, but in a few short months that median will be covered with grandstands.  And, as Terry shared with me when we were safely seated in our watering hole, those grandstands are well on their way to being filled.  Phones were ringing even as we sipped our holiday cheer.

Here's what he heard from organizers:  after two initial online offerings, more than 20,000 tickets for the Labor Day "Festival of Speed" have been sold.  Spectators will be coming from all over the country. To date, tickets have been sold in thirty three states and Puerto Rico.  These include every Eastern Seaboard state from Maine to Florida, and across the country to include most of the Midwest and the entire West Coast.

While the IZOD and BRD folks are gratified, you know the hotels and restaurants must be doing handsprings.  This kind of response indicates a diverse, affluent visitor that will be encamped locally for several days.  Much as we love the home crowds, it's those out of staters who really get the economy jumping.

This is the kind of news that energizes everyone.  Gives us one more good thing to look forward to in the New Year.  Even those jackhammers under my window are beginning to sound like jingle bells.  Or cash registers.

Don't get left in the dust.  Get your tickets now.