But to one avid fan and oft volunteer, the landmark meant more than fun times at the track.
Amramp’s Rick Griffiths joins numerous local contractors in appreciation of the NASCAR Hall of Fame injecting vitality into a city hard hit by the financial crisis. While demand for wheelchair ramps often rides out economic fluctuations, Griffiths sees the impact on the Carolinas every day.
“It’s exciting for Charlotte and for NASCAR to display its history. And it’s a big plus for Charlotte, something to do/see even when there’s not a race,” Griffiths said.
With public financing, the city of Charlotte, N.C., expects the $200 million hall of fame to generate $60 million annually. In its first seven days of opening, the NASCAR Hall of Fame hosted 10,000 visitors.
Being part of the project – Amramp installed five permanent ramps inside, mostly “behind the scenes” – is almost as good as driving the track, where “it’s a big rush of exhilaration to be in a car that’s shaking, averaging 142 mph,” Griffiths says.
Although hall of fame visitors may never see the Amramp modular wheelchair ramps inside, the NASCAR influence is not lost on Griffiths.
“The NASCAR affiliation brings attention from a nationally recognized brand, one of the largest sports markets.” The Amramp owner cited Pepsi’s AMP sponsorship with Dale Earnhardt Jr.: According to CNBC in 2008 “sales of AMP Energy drink grew 127.5 percent in top NASCAR markets. And growth almost hit 100 percent in the grocery channel alone.”
See “where the race lives on” at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. For more information on how Amramp’s modular ramp systems can overcome public facilities’ challenges, call 888-715-7598 or visit www.amramp.com.