With bi-partisan support in the House, Senate, and Governor’s Office, the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) announced the creation of the Motorsports Caucus. Representative Karen Ray serves the Motorsports Caucus as Chairman and Senator Tony Rand serves as Vice Chairman. Membership of the Caucus is a coalition of Representatives and Senators who realize the impact of motorsports in North Carolina and know the importance of maintaining and growing the industry. “The Motorsports Caucus is dedicated to providing a healthy economic climate in North Carolina,” said Representative Ray, “that meets the needs of our current motorsports businesses and attracts others to our state.” Governor Easley has given the Motorsports Caucus the green flag at a reception held welcoming Nextel Communications into the motorsports family. “The Motorsports Caucus will serve as a vehicle to strengthen the industry in our state as it relates to jobs, tourism and revenues,” Easley said. Faced with competition from other states to lure the motorsports industry away from North Carolina, the Motorsports Caucus hopes to add horsepower to existing efforts of the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA). “We have an economic engine to which we must provide fuel for horsepower.” NCMA Chairman Richard Petty said recently. “Vice Chairman Rick Hendrick and I know that the Motorsports Caucus will serve as a catalyst to keep the engines running in North Carolina.” Senator Tony Rand agreed. “Prosperity of the motorsports industry as a whole in North Carolina is foremost on our agenda, and the Motorsports Caucus will ensure its viability for decades to come.”(10-21-2003)
