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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2003

SCHUMER, ST. LAWRENCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO MEET IN WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS WAYS TO MOVE NASCAR PROJECT FORWARD

Proposed 150,000 seat racetrack and entertainment center in Brasher, Massena, & Norfolk trying to attract NASCAR

Schumer will meet Karen St. Hilare, President of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, to offer his help in getting the racetrack built and attracting interest from race

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced he will meet with the President of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday in his Washington, DC office. Schumer said that he and President Karen St. Hilare will discuss ways to bring NASCAR to the region.

"Bringing NASCAR here would be a dream come true, but it's not going to be easy," Schumer said. "So we need to put our heads together, figure out what we need to do to attract NASCAR, and leave no stone unturned. When the Chamber President comes to my office Wednesday, I intend to do a lot of listening to learn what I can do to help the cause."

St. Lawrence International Speedway developers estimate that NASCAR would bring more than 1000 jobs, 500 of them full-time, and crowded hotels and restaurants -- bringing the region significant economic revitalization.

While 900 acres of land has been optioned for a 1.5 mile racetrack in Brasher, Massena, and Norfolk, designs for the racetrack are not yet complete. NASCAR President Michael G. Helton told the St. Lawrence International Speedway, a group of investors in the project, that NASCAR does not negotiate deals for racetracks that have not yet been built. He also emphasized that when the track is built, the competition will be very stiff. NASCAR takes into account factors like weather, travel time, and marketing opportunities.

The track could run without NASCAR by attracting other sanctioning bodies like the International Hot Rod Association.

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