anyone from the island would be stupid to not allow it to happen... have you ever been to catalina in december ? its dead as fuck. this is gonna pump in a shitload of people to that island who will all go to any one of the many bars there and spend spend spend.
I heard (maybe rumor) that it is the reason it stopped was out of control partying in town after the race. I heard the Mayor owned a bar or restuarant at the time there and it got trashed. Not sure if a fight broke out or what, but that is what I heard.