“We were delighted to become a sponsor of the Red Bull Air Race this year, a major sponsor,” said Duncan, a native of Windsor. “Given the international exposure of the race, this is an enormous tourism opportunity not just for the region but also for the province. It’s a real shot in the arm both for our local economy and for tourism, for promoting Ontario and Canada as a wonderful place to travel – you get to see our beautiful waterfront here, for example,” he said, looking out at splendid green park stretched along the banks of Detroit River that affords breath-taking views of the skylines in both Windsor and Detroit.
 

Duncan said that Detroit had been the principle host of the Red Bull Air Race in 2008 and that had created a tremendous buzz of excitement and economic activity on both sides of the river, which forms the international frontier between the United States and Canada.
 

“They weren’t able to host it again this year,” Duncan said, referring to Detroit. “So Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis travelled to Europe to persuade them to come back and locate this time on the Canadian side. The mayor contacted me with this idea and I thought it was terrific. He had already done a lot of the leg work and was in contact with me as a local member of the provincial parliament – and also in my capacity as Finance Minister for Ontario.”
 

Duncan said that even in tough economic times it did not take long to figure out the costs involved in hosting the race was a prudent investment – an economic boon for Windsor, for Ontario and for Canada.
 

“This was - how do you say it? - a ‘no-brainer’,” Duncan said with a smile. “Everyone in our government recognized the importance of this event, the size of this event relative to the economy, relative to what we’re seeing here. We were delighted to be able to partner with the city of Windsor and with Red Bull Air Race to bring this about. This has an international viewership and following.” 290,000 people turned up to watch the race action live over the weekend and many millions more watched it on television in 183 countries around the world.
 

Duncan said the global economic crisis had hit Windsor and the region particularly hard – it is, after all, one of Canada’s major car manufacturing centres. But he said the race provided not only some welcome relief for Canadians in general but plenty of financial firepower for local businesses as well.
 

“Our investment will yield a ratio of 7- or 8-to-1 dollars back,” Duncan said when asked if he thought the investment was worthwhile. “Our local businesses are just thrilled by this. We’re suffering in a downturn in the economy - the way most automotive jurisdictions are now. And this is just a wonderful boost. Also, in terms of Ontario’s tourism initiative, this is such an international event, such a high-calibre event. I think this race compares well to anything we’re doing (to boost the economy) anywhere else in the province and it also helps expose Ontario to a broader market. I would think we’re probably looking at a return of close to $100 million gross economic activity.”
 

On a personal note, Duncan, 50, admitted what he especially liked most about the Red Bull Air Race was that it is essentially open to the entire public – even those people without a ticket for the areas nearest to the race track are able to see the precision planes flying their high-speed runs through the 6-km long race track set up on the Detroit River – albeit from a distance.
 

Duncan said: “What I really like about this race is this: We talked about the economy being in some difficulty. And you know even if people can’t afford a ticket they can still see a lot of the race. There are tens of thousands of people participating (without tickets). I’ve seen them coming down with their kids. Many of them have lost their jobs lately. This is just such a ‘pick-me-up’ for this community and for our local economy.”
 

Duncan, eager to see the race return to Windsor again in 2010, said the local and regional officials could not fail to be impressed by the high quality of the race and the entire organization. “It’s very much an international event, and to have an international border here like this lends a different perspective, a really robust perspective about everything Red Bull Air Race stands for. It’s a premier event – everything from the calibre of the planes and the pilots to the investment and organisation. Everything is just first-rate. They’re well organised, they know what they’re doing. They’ve been very responsive to the community’s and the sponsor’s needs and wishes. It’s been a first-rate experience. We’re delighted to be partnered with them. Now my goal is to convince them to come back.”
 

The Red Bull Air Race location team is currently scouring the globe and reviewing applications from potential host cities in preparation for the 2010 World Championship. There are a number of criteria to be fulfilled in order to be considered as a host city which include: a location with a spectacular backdrop, a large enough area for the racing, viewing capacity for around 500,000 spectators, good transportation facilities and above all the full commitment and support of the host city. The number of races will be increased in 2010 and the calendar will include new and exciting venues around the globe as well as some traditional favourites.