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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
The angular-built man in the sky-blue security polo shirt strolled on the sidewalk along Koval Lane along the Las Vegas Grand Prix track.
He’s working 18 days straight as Formula One race organizers build a 3.8-mile canyon of fences, barriers, grandstands and lighting mounts on Las Vegas Boulevard, Harmon Avenue, Koval Lane and Sands Avenue for next week’s road race that has divided Las Vegas locals.
“I wouldn’t buy a ticket for the grandstand. I’d go in with my friends $200 each and watch from a hotel room,” the security worker told LVSportsBiz.com.
No sports event in Las Vegas history has disrupted life along the Strip and its surrounding roads more than this F1 event. Its promoter wants Clark County to pay $40 million toward the repaving of the race roads — a negotiation that will happen after the Nov. 18 night race.
It’s odd Clark County officials are allowing a sports event to disrupt the lives of so many people who are not benefitting from this car race. For example, the Miami Grand Prix was staged nowhere near its iconic South Beach. Instead, that Miami race was held at the Miami Dolphins football stadium, far from the business and commerce of South Florida. To the average person, it looks like the LVCVA and the county were starry-eyed players who were easily taken advantage of in order to satisfy hotels making money off the sports event.
Why so much disruption, traffic and frustration over F1?
That’s because Clark County and the LVCVA tourism agency have given the race promoter free run of the public streets, right-of-ways and sidewalks for a private event that is supposed to bring rich race fans who will spend lots of money watching these mini-rockets on four open wheels. Commutes along the Strip corridor have turned into misery and stressful trips.
Locals are also upset that F1 has converted the iconic Strip into a race track, with expensive tickets beyond the budget of most Las Vegas residents. Prices for tickets are dropping on the secondary market, showing the original asking prices were unrealistic.
The 50-lap race starts at 10 PM a week from Saturday. One driver has dominated the F1 circuit. His name is Max Verstappen, a 26-year-old from Belgium who has won 17 of 20 F1 races this year.
The Las Vegas track lap is longer than most on the F1 circuit.
LVSportsBiz.com pedaled a bicycle on the 3.8-mile race track Thursday to see the progress and preparation for a road race that lasts from 90 minutes to two hours.
Harmon Avenue:
Koval Lane:
Sphere after turn five:
Sands Avenue at Wynn:
Las Vegas Boulevard at Caesars:
Most locals are saying they’re staying away from the race event
“The first year is obviously the hardest,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Undersheriff Andrew Walsh said.
Providing good video of the F1 impacts is Sarah Jane Woodall, the “Wonderhussy,” who posted this report. It’s below as well: