BEAUFORT -- For one night this spring, local streets may resemble the Tour de France's packed masses surrounding the Champs-Elysees.

Beaufort is close to securing a professional bicycle race for spring 2007 as part of the USA Criterium Championship Series, a weeklong event that debuted in late April with six races in the Southeast, including three in South Carolina. The series plans to add two races next year, and Beaufort could find out within weeks if it's awarded one of the openings.

"It would bring an international sport to a local level," said Beaufort city manager Scott Dadson. "It gives people from a lot of different perspectives a chance to see our city."

Criterium courses are short loops, typically one to two miles, which racers lap repeatedly, and they are widely regarded as the most spectator-friendly form of racing. The Walterboro Criterium, the third leg in the series, was a 55-lap, one-mile course through downtown that could serve as a template for Beaufort in distance and location.

"If you like NASCAR," Dadson said, "you'll love criterium-style racing."

The region's most famous criterium, the Athens (Ga.) Twilight, draws thousands of spectators and opens the series.

Dadson is spearheading the charge to bring the race to Beaufort, joining a committee that includes Lowcountry Bicycles owner John Feeser and local cyclist Hall Sumner. If Beaufort is granted the race, the city must kick its planning into gear immediately.

Charlie Sweat, mayor of Walterboro and a committee member for the Walterboro Criterium, which attracted a few hundred fans to its May 3 race, said it takes about eight months to plan. Walterboro is preparing for the 2007 race.

"We're going to have to hit the ground running," said Dadson.

The city manager said he's waiting for Swagger, the sports marketing and event-management company based in Athens that produces the series, to select a date to finalize the deal.

The Beaufort race likely would occur either April 30 or May 1, immediately before Walterboro's race.

Upon agreement, the race committee must apply for a permit with the Beaufort City Council and arrange police, emergency personnel and volunteers working under the direction of Swagger. Those services, plus prize money and race-course requirements, typically are paid by sponsors from each host city. Swagger provides the course requirements, including crowd fencing, pace car and stage and timing equipment.

A marketing partnership proposal by Swagger estimates each host's contribution to between $25,000 and $30,000. Sweat said Walterboro businesses raised about $35,000. There is no specific deadline yet for when sponsorship money must be raised.

"I feel like we could pull that together pretty quickly," said Dadson.

Lowcountry Bicycles was a sponsor in Walterboro this year, and Feeser said it's definitely onboard for Beaufort.

Although Beaufort's course is unknown, as Dadson wants to avoid disturbing traffic, a trek down Bay Street is a possibility. Road closures would be required for at least part of the day; Sweat said Walterboro blocked the course at 1 p.m. on race day.

Despite those afternoon street closures, hundreds of potential visitors could translate into increased business for bars and restaurants that evening.

"I think it should (come down Bay)," said Tony Royal, owner of Bay Street Outfitters. "I don't mind the street being shut down for something wonderful like that. If it's good for restaurants, it's good for us. We're one big family down here."

The main concern is the city's preparation.

Be My Guest owner Patsy Collin, whose son, Michael, commentates races in New England, understands the intangibles required to orchestrate a race.

"It's crucial it's done right," she said. "They need to start (planning) now."