From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: The Chattanooga Tourism Co. is touting a World Rally Championship race next year as potentially the biggest
From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: The Chattanooga Tourism Co. is touting a World Rally Championship race next year as potentially the biggest sporting event ever in the region.
But in Polk County, where most of the short-wheelbase car racing will happen on the gravel roads in the Cherokee National Forest, some residents and county commissioners are objecting to such an event.
Promoters of the event said the event organizers will be responsible for the safety and maintenance of the roads used, and most of the races will be in the Cherokee National Forest, not on any public roads in Polk County. The globally-televised audience for the World Rally Championship races will bring international attention to Polk County and surrounding areas, which should showcase the scenic area and promote more visitors and tourism spending in the future even beyond the projected $34 million economic impact from the World Rally Championship event itself, the promoters said.
The World Rally Championship races are scheduled this year on gravel and back roads in 13 countries around the globe.
