JTATM - North Carolina State University

North Carolina Department of Commerce Strengthens Motorsports Ties

Derek Chen, Business Development Manager, Transportation and Automotive Equipment, North Carolina Department of Commerce

Before they adjourned last Sunday, several members of the General Assembly added one more item to their packed agendas: the creation of a Motorsports Caucus, chaired by Representative Karen Ray of Mooresville’s 95th District to promote and support North Carolina’s motorsports industry. International Trade’s Derek Chen, who works closely with the motorsports industry, says the formation of the Caucus is a significant step in gaining much-needed exposure for the industry. “The state is getting involved at a pivotal time in a pivotal way. We’re working to ensure that the companies associated with the industry stay and grow in North Carolina.”

Chen’s comments allude to a growing concern among motorsports insiders in North Carolina—that unless advocates of the industry work harder to promote motorsports within the state and support the companies located here, regional competitors such as South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee may succeed in their efforts to recruit business away from North Carolina. If they were successful, North Carolina could lose a significant portion of the $1.5 billion in investment and revenue the industry brings the state annually—more than double any other professional sport.

The formation of the Motorsports Caucus is only one response to a growing realization of the motorsports industry’s importance to the state’s economy. A rising number of Commerce players are recognizing the importance of the industry to North Carolina’s economy and are working to strengthen Commerce’s role in the promotion of the industry. One of the latest efforts has been to strengthen Commerce’s ties to the newly formed North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA), chaired by NASCAR legend Richard Petty. “The NCMA has helped open the doors of the motorsports industry to us,” says Chen of the traditional close-knit community of motorsports insiders.

Derek Chen, NCDOC,
Richard Petty, Chairman,
North Carolina Motorsports Association

The NCMA’s goal, like the goal of the Motorsports Caucus, is to proactively promote the growth of the motorsports industry in North Carolina. Over 600 businesses in the state are involved in the industry, and the scope, power, and contributions of these businesses have been unrecognized and unfocused because they have never had an organized voice to lobby their needs. Commerce is already working with the NCMA on a number of levels. Chen, who handles automotive exports for the state, is currently working with motorsports companies, most of which export products internationally. Lynn Minges, Director of Travel and Tourism, also works with the NCMA to promote the industry through such events as Tourism Day. Even the Governor’s office is getting involved with the NCMA. In May 2003, Chen attended a meeting with NCMA representatives and Governor Easley in which the NCMA asked for support in an economic impact study of the motorsports industry on the state of North Carolina. Easley agreed to allocate funding for the study, and as a recognition of the industry’s importance on the state, proclaimed May as Motorsports Month.

The collaboration between Commerce, the state legislature, private organizations like the NCMA, and even the research provided by universities and community colleges will prove increasingly important for an industry which Chen predicts will soon escalate tremendously in popularity. The expected growth is due in large part to Nextel’s new sponsorship of NASCAR; unlike Winston, Nextel will be unrestricted in advertising. And at a time when traditional North Carolina industries like textiles and tobacco are in decline, industries like motorsports become ever more important. Despite challenges, Chen predicts the sport will continue to thrive in our state. “Commerce can’t keep these businesses by itself, but along with the legislature, the Governor’s office and the universities and community colleges, we can work together to keep this industry strong in North Carolina.”