A Denver policeman peers at his radar gun, grins and shakes his head after clocking one of several drivers zipping past the Colorado State capitol at more than 150 mph. His remarks are lost against engine noise and earplugs. These drivers have been invited to race Indy Cars through the city's downtown streets turned race course in an effort to add fuel to Denver's economic recovery.

Denver has become the latest city to host Grand Prix racing to help shake off the financial doldrums and to diversify its economic base. Joining the Grand Prix circuit has been attractive to a growing number of cities. While the economic impact for Cleveland was a satisfactory $10 million, Detroit realized more than $20 million and Long Beach took in more than $28 million in its 17th year.

Denver has gotten into the act with three days of Grand Prix racing held here last week (August 24, 25 and 26). The race was sold to the city with promises of more than $20 million being dropped into the local economy, which agreed with the Chamber of Commerce' advance estimates of $22.5 million. Chamber of Commerce spokesman, Ken Parks, says that they're comfortably sticking with those numbers after the event.

In terms of the number of people attracted to the race, it was an obvious success with the biggest downtown crowds that anyone could remember. The first day of racing drew an estimated 80,000 people to the course. Hotels, bars and restaurants in the vicinity of the race were mobbed with business. The manager of Marlowe's restaurant claimed to have served about 7,000 customers on Friday night alone.

Other types of businesses didn't fare as well and even lost money since race fans were mostly buying food and souvenirs while shoppers were kept away by the race crowds and lack of access and parking. Store clerks idled their time away as crowds raced past to the race course a few blocks away. Some businesses in the vicinity of the race course had negotiated compensation by race organizers, but those on the fringes were left with several days of little or no business and no compensation.

Those in the crowd had their criticisms of race organizers too. Finding their way through a mazework of fences and barricades was difficult at best. Pedestrian bridges over the course had lines of people waiting up to 30 minutes in the sun. Water was almost impossible to find, while vendors sold soft drinks packed full of ice at $2 a cup to those who were willing to wait through the long lines for service.

But money did find its immediate way into the local economy. Hensel-Phelps Construction Company profited through weeks of preparation for the race and days of tearing down afterwards, while the company's employees appreciated the hours of overtime. About 600 of Denver's unemployed found at least temporary work and their share of the estimated $15 million spent by out-of-town visitors.

The local media did an about face during the race days, from being the naysayers and skeptics to joining sound supporters in raving about the fun and success.

Ultimately though, Denver is looking for longer term results from the national showcasing of the city. MTV provided unusually extensive live coverage of the race and USA Today praised the event as the top of the weekend's TV sports programs. Photos and video footage will be used in numerous presentations and brochures to help promote the Mile High City. The Chamber of Commerce played host to 50 out-of-town executives during the event. "We took those executives and exposed them to an awful lot in the area, but the event was the real highlight", said Parks.

With the good weather and mostly positive feedback from drivers, media and spectators alike, the Denver Grand Prix appears to be a solid success for the future and, as promised, a truly positive influence on the local economy.