Race to Downtown Site Nears Conclusion

“It’s not a done deal.”

So emphatic is Chris Pook, president of Del Mar Race Management, that he said it three times. He was talking about the proposed move of the Vons Grand Prix of San Diego from the Del Mar Fairgrounds to a downtown San Diego site featuring the Community Center.

But judging by response from drivers, support teams and civic leaders, the move is sealed and only needs to be signed and delivered.

Pook needs two things to move the race. He paid a $50,000 bond Friday to the 22nd District Agricultural Assn., to get out of a five-year contract. The San Diego Unified Port District meets Oct. 20 to vote on the move, and the San Diego City Council votes Oct. 26 on the plan, being presented by City Manager Jack McGrory.

Pook has until Nov. 11 to decide whether he will be back at Del Mar.

Among those who think the race will be downtown Labor Day weekend in 1993 is Deputy Mayor Ron Roberts.

“I haven’t polled everyone (on the city council),” Roberts said, “but because of what this represents (to the area), I think it will be passed with near unanimity.

“It will turn downtown into an entertainment center as well as a business center.

“I think we have enough support.”

In August, the public facilities and recreation committee agreed to explore the possibilities of a downtown race. Those three members who voted, as well as Roberts, would mean Pook needed the support of only one more council member to get his move approved by the nine-member board.

Roberts also thinks the move has the support of the Port District.

“I’ve talked to some of the port commissioners and I think they’re going to support it,” Roberts said. “They’re not going to have to put out any money; they like that.”

Among the organizations that have endorsed the proposed move are the Hotel-Motel Assn., the Greater San Diego Sports Assn., the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Residents Group, the San Diego Economic Development Corporation, San Diegans Inc., the Central City Assn., the Gaslamp Quarter Assn., and the San Diego Port Tenants Assn.

A move downtown would allow the race to grow in attendance as well as stature. Pook said at best he could squeeze 40,000 daily into Del Mar, but could do 50-60,000 downtown. He also believes the San Diego race could be similar to another event he promotes, the Long Beach Grand Prix, in which Indy Cars compete and attracts about 200,000 in one weekend.

“It’s going to be an event,” Pook said of a downtown venue. “The fact that motor cars rush around is incidental.”