Does your friend dictate that the race can only be Miami to Virginia? I could understand the nostalgia of past races, but would a different course be more conducive of greater interest? I'm asking lets say a race from Tampa around the tip of Key West or through the Keys, and up the east side to where ever? You could have multiple beaching points, check in points and like the GT 300, others could come out and race legs or sections for experience and a taste of the action. If you allowed others to take part you might generate intest for future years with large groups of racers. Given you have a lot of folks in Florida that would do it also. Even if they weren't racing, how many might be willing to man or volunteer at a check point to be a "part of the race?" Just an idea.

Forrest
I-20