Jamestown  (CSi)  This year’s drag races at Jamestown Regional Airport planned for  July 13, 14, 2019 is in question.

Jamestown Regional Airport Authority Director, Katie Hemmer says, the Airport Authority has approved  drag racing event contingent on approval by the FAA, noting airport operations are not affected during the races, with another runway being used.

Jamestown Drag Racing President, Mike Trautman says, the Federal Aviation Administration, provides funds for the Jamestown Regional Airport and also regulates the airports operations.

Hemmer says the FAA denied drag racing at the airport’s runway, because it had spent about $2.2 million last year on upgrades to it.

The airport covers extra work stemming from the drag races by levying a fee.

JDRA has previous performed maintenance on the runway stemming from the drag races.

At the February Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board meeting,  Jamestown Racing Association was approved for it’s full grant request of $6,000, plus $3,900 towards purchasing seating.  Other funds to hold the event include local business sponsors in the amount of $12,950, Racer Entry Fees, $12, 155, Gate Admissions $9,625, T-Shirt Sales, $3,178.

The economic impact of the event is put at $187,500, and has been held at the Airport for 18 years and was hampered recently by rainy weather.

Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund told the Tourism Board, that “Jamestown Tourism has been supporting the Jamestown Drag Races since 2007. In the most recent years, we’ve awarded $6000 for advertising plus invested dollars into their infrastructure. This year we awarded $6000 plus $3900 towards purchasing seating.

It’s hard to express concern of an event in front of thoughtful and eager volunteers. With the recent resurfacing of the airport runway, the GrantExec Board spent some time discussing the likelihood that this might happen, however, the board chose to fund this event in the face of optimism.

I think it’s important for Tourism to continue to be the voice of support. We need to focus on the spirit of the volunteers and their passion. Growth comes from those who dare to dream and we are fortunate to have a group of people in Jamestown who dream big. It sounds like the group will continue to fight to host their event.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  This year’s drag races at Jamestown Regional Airport planned for  July 13, 14, 2019 is in question.

Jamestown Drag Racing President, Mike Trautman says, the Federal Aviation Administration, which provides funds for the Jamestown Regional Airport and also regulates the airports operations.

Jamestown Regional Airport Authority Director, Katie Hemmer says, the Airport Authority has approved  drag racing event contingent on approval by the FAA, noting airport operations are not affected during the races, with another runway being used.

She says the FAA denied drag racing at the airport’s runway, because it had spent about $2.2 million last year on upgrades to it.

The airport covers extra work stemming from the drag races by levying a fee.

JDRA has previous performed maintenance on the runway caused by the drag races.

At the February Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board meeting,  Jamestown Racing Association was approved for it full grant request of $6,000.  Other funds to hold the event include local business sponsors in the amount of $12,950, Racer Entry Fees, $12, 155, Gate Admissions $9,625, T-Shirt Sales, $3,178.

The economic impact of the event is put at $187,500, and has been held at the Airport for 18 years and was hampered recently by rainy weather.