[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE SPORTS CAR RACING ASSOCIATION OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 9, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey 
Peninsula, or SCRAMP. SCRAMP held its inaugural race on November 10, 
1957. For 50 years, the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey 
Peninsula has worked to establish Laguna Seca as one of the premier 
road racing venues in the world. Unlike the operators at other tracks, 
SCRAMP is a non-profit volunteer organization. As such, they can make 
donations to the community, but cannot accept donations. Consequently, 
the Laguna Seca Raceway Fund was established as a 501(c)(3) to be the 
fundraising arm of the track. SCRAMP has invested more than $20 million 
in the Monterey County-owned facility over the last five years, part of 
an ongoing effort to keep the track positioned as one of the world's 
finest road courses.
  SCRAMP presents five world class motorsports events each year: the 
U.S. Sports Car Invitational, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, the 
Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the AMA Superbike Race, and the 
Monterey Sports Car Championship. These events bring hundreds of 
thousands of visitors to Monterey County. The financial impact on the 
community is significant, estimated at one million dollars annually. 
SCRAMP itself donates hundreds of thousands of dollars of its proceeds 
each year to civic and charitable organizations that volunteer at 
events held at the track, a major source of revenue for these 
organizations.
  Mazda became the title sponsor of the venue in 2001 and it was 
renamed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The new sponsorship is a major 
contributor in realizing the continuing vision for improving the 
raceway, making it more beautiful, functional, and safe.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will all join me in offering 
congratulations and encouragement for this fine organization on their 
golden anniversary.

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