USMA Launches i-2 Campaign hosts Public Officials at Lucas Oil Off Road Series

The United States Motorsports Association (USMA) hosted public officials from Chandler AZ and the Gila River Indian Community at the first event of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series held at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix. Chandler Vice-Mayor the Honorable Jack Sellers was the Grand Marshall for racetrack festivities on Saturday March 19th, while Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Lewis was the Grand Marshall at the track Sunday March 20th.

The event also kicked off the USMA’s national i-2 campaign, which works to introduce and inform public officials at racing events throughout country establishing relationships and awareness of the many economic benefits motorsports brings to regions across the country. The Lucas Oil Off Road event at Wild Horse Pass attracted over 20,000 fans over the three-day-weekend-event, including over 60-race-teams coming to Arizona boosting tourism and the Arizona economy.

“Often there is a disconnect between racing and elected officials. The USMA invites public officials to motorsports events so that we can introduce them to the sport not necessarily to become fans of racing, but to better understand the economic impacts racing, especially grassroots racing, is providing to their communities,” said Robert Johnson, Director of Government Affairs for the USMA. “Many of the public officials in the area were not aware of the event and were surprised and impressed to discover the size, scope and professionalism of the race series and race teams.”

“It’s our job as a racing community to get to know our public officials and ensure they have an accurate understanding of who we really are and we are providing, added Johnson. “We need to have a relationship established before we are forced to meet our public leaders through a negative scenario.”

The USMA encourages all racetracks, sanctioning bodies and race teams to participate in the USMA i-2 Campaign and invite their local officials to one of their events this year. If you need support to create an invite or the best ways to establish relationships with your local leaders contact the USMA’s Government Affairs