Horse racing event creates parking shortage and new local business

The Kuninkuusravit horse racing event is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors to Ylöjärvi in Pirkanmaa this weekend, prompting local businesses and residents to rent out parking spaces, Yle reports.

Many visitors are arriving by car, but private cars cannot access the Teivo race centre during the event. The shortage has encouraged property owners to offer parking in their yards and business premises.

Mika Marttila, who runs a tyre shop and car repair business at the Pitstop Teivo property, is renting spaces from his company car park for one day or the entire weekend. The property is less than one kilometre from the race track.

The car park has space for about 150 vehicles, and Marttila says 35 to 40 percent of the spaces have already been reserved. He first got the idea of renting out parking spaces 15 years ago, when the Kuninkuusravit was last held at the Teivo race track.

Cardeal Group, a car dealership operating on the premises of the former Teivo ABC service station, is also renting out parking spaces. The company has about 500 spaces available, roughly half of which have been reserved for each race day.

The company has installed gates and separated areas for parking, with traffic and parking controllers now working on the site. It is also selling food and drinks and has arranged an evening performance by Oskari Lehtinen.

Private individuals have also advertised parking spaces for rent in Facebook groups. The Finnish Tax Administration says income from renting out parking spaces is taxed as capital income at a rate of 30 percent. Related costs can be deducted from taxable income.

Petri Manninen, a senior tax officer at the Finnish Tax Administration, advises people to keep records of their rental income and report it on their pre-completed tax return next spring. The tax authorities also monitor this type of rental activity.

The event organisers have reserved parking areas for private cars several kilometres from the race venue, with bus transport arranged to the races.

The Central Finland Police Department warns that the event will significantly affect traffic in Ylöjärvi and western Tampere. Temporary traffic sign arrangements and road sections closed to private cars are in place.

The heaviest congestion is expected on Friday from 2 pm until midnight, when the evening event ends. On Saturday, traffic is expected to be busiest between 11 am and 2 pm and between 5 pm and 7 pm. Similar congestion is expected on Sunday.

Police will monitor traffic and remind drivers that private areas may be used for parking only with permission from the property owner or occupier.