Being in the off-season, (Ironman) brings a lot of people into hotels and restaurants, and keeps our local merchants busy. It really gives us a boost.

They all have had their own unique things about them, but the X Games was the best. It was so unusual. La Jolla turned it away due to neighborhood complaints ... and in a matter of months we had them. ESPN, the athletes ... I have to believe, fiscally, it was a winner for us, and you can't put a price tag on international exposure. We hooked ourselves up with a giant.

The timing could be right to press the point.

We've been pretty lucky in that regard.

The promoters didn't do a good job getting people in here. It was more for the riders. There are times when events aren't a good match, ones that have impact issues that don't make up for the event and exposure.