(From left to right) Ohio State Representative Kellie Deeter, Top Fuel Racer Clay Millican, Top Fuel Racer Maddi Gordon, Ohio State Senator Theresa Gavarone, Ohio State Representative Gary Click.
 

PRI and Summit Motorsports Park played host to lawmakers from Ohio last weekend, giving a trackside view of the power of the motorsports industry as the legislature considers right-to-race protections.

With the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals as the backdrop, PRI provided a firsthand look at the economic, community and tourism impact generated by the motorsports industry.

Among those in attendance in Norwalk, Ohio, were State Representatives Kellie Deeter and Gary Click, joint sponsors of Ohio's Right-to-Race legislation (HB 639). The bill recently passed the Ohio House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support, and continues to enjoy strong support as it moves forward.

They were joined by Ohio State Senator Theresa Gavarone, who will be an important ally in the state Senate this fall.

During their visit, lawmakers met with racers, race teams, track leadership, and industry business representatives to better understand the role motorsports plays in supporting jobs, tourism, small businesses, and local communities across Ohio.

Attendees also toured the facility with owner and Bill Bader, a SEMA Board Member, to learn the history of Summit Motorsports Park, watch racing action from the starting line and experience firsthand the investment and coordination required to host a major motorsports event.

For more information about PRI's and SEMA's Right-to-Race campaign or to learn how your racetrack or motorsports business can help support similar legislation in your state, or to host lawmakers at your facility, contact PRI Director of Government Affairs for Racing Tierra Hubbard at tierrah@performanceracing.com.