LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The optics were pure Las Vegas.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix took over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip last November.
What television viewers did not see was the effect on local traffic and small businesses.
Now, Randy Markin of Battista's Hole in the Wall restaurant hopes that is about to change.
It's amazing how they can destroy a town for an hour and a half race," said Markin.An online petition with Change.org called 'Stop the Las Vegas Grand Prix' was created on May 3.
As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 1,200 signatures have been gathered.
"The petition has been going very well," said Markin. "We've got signatures mostly from Las Vegas but people from all over the world, people who came here during that period, and they say they will not come back to Las Vegas anywhere close to that period ever again."
The petition is asking Clark County Commissioners to deny both a special use permit and an event permit for this year's race until issues are resolved.
Their main points are negative impact on businesses, traffic congestion, and community input and transparency.
Although a public debrief on the 2023 race was held in March, and concerns were expressed then, Markin said no one from F1 has reached out to him since.
"We want F1 to be a part of the community," said Markin. "And when they come in and step over so many of our businesses and employees and hurt so many people, if they want to be a part of the community, step up and say ok we are going to help. We messed up last year."
Supporters are chiming in both in person and online.
It was a big headache last year as far as traffic," said James McAlister, who lives near the Strip. "I might have to move farther out of the area."According to a county report, visitor spending during last year's race topped $884 million.
F1 became the largest sporting event with the largest global audience in Las Vegas history.
But Markin said small businesses should matter, too.
"We're not going to go away," he said. "If they (race representatives) were respectful and cared about this community, they would have come in and sat down, and we could work this out, so it worked for everybody."
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