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2004 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 451
Commending the Virginia Motorsports Coalition and the motorsports industry in the Commonwealth.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 5, 2004
Agreed to by the Senate, March 11, 2004

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has great assets when it comes to motorsports; and

WHEREAS, racing in Virginia covers the entire spectrum, from go-karts to NASCAR, from AMA Superbikes to motocross, from autocross to Grand-Am road racing, and from sportsman drag strips to a national drag racing facility; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has 37 racetracks, with racing in virtually every corner of the Old Dominion, from the Scope in the east to Lonesome Pine International Raceway in the west and Winchester Speedway in the north and South Boston Speedway in the south; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's racing facilities include NASCAR’s two oldest tracks at Richmond International Raceway and Martinsville Speedway, a world-class road racing facility at Virginia International Raceway, and a national drag strip at Virginia Motorsports Park; and

WHEREAS, in addition to its abundance of racing facilities, Virginia has developed a vast network of suppliers, race teams, car owners, engine builders, drivers, and other participants in the motorsports industry; and

WHEREAS, motorsports in Virginia is not only a fast-moving industry but a very popular one with the public; and

WHEREAS, attendance figures from Martinsville Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, South Boston Speedway, Virginia International Raceway, and Virginia Motorsports Park show almost two million visitors in 2002, with an economic impact of $11.7 million in state and local sales taxes and other tax revenue; and

WHEREAS, the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science offers a motorsports engineering curriculum; the advanced Vehicle Dynamics Lab at Virginia Tech conducts research and analysis of dynamics, noise and vibrations; the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville is working with Virginia International Raceway to cohost a performance engineering program in conjunction with Virginia Tech; Old Dominion University's College of Engineering and Technology is actively engaged in motorsports-related research and development, including commercial operation of the Langley Full Scale Tunnel; and Patrick Henry Community College offers an associate's degree in applied science with specialization in motorsports technology; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Motorsports Coalition and the motorsports industry in the Commonwealth for its positive contributions to tourism and economic development; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Virginia Motorsports Coalition be commended for and encouraged to continue its support of this dynamic industry and is further commended for bringing attention to this industry by sponsoring Motorsports Day at the Capitol; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the president of the Virginia Motorsports Coalition as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation and support for the motorsports industry in the Commonwealth.