View Full Version : Incentive to race
How's this (from Scottb). http://forums.boatfreaks.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4386
scottyboy
27-09-2005, 01:52 PM
Isnt there a scottb on this forum? What an incentive though!:D
BluFin
02-10-2005, 11:58 AM
Bring Back Green Sheild Stamps .....................
Had bloody millions of the fekken things..........
Scottb
19-10-2005, 12:12 PM
We are going with no entry fees for the entire 2006 season in an effort to revive grass roots offshore racing in the states
Jon Fuller
19-10-2005, 12:20 PM
Originally posted by Scottb
We are going with no entry fees for the entire 2006 season in an effort to revive grass roots offshore racing in the states
I take it then that the races & their organisers are well sponsored?
What other income do the organising clubs have other than advertising sponsorship?
Scottb
20-10-2005, 07:12 AM
We have a # of clubs that put on the races and raise their own $
we also have some of the towns we go to put up cash.
Lastly. We have John Haggin (my sponsor) who owns AMFOffshoreracing.com as a sponsor of OPA (Offshore Powerboat Association) wich is the sanctioning body for the series
Next year should be a big year
Originally posted by Scottb
We have a # of clubs that put on the races and raise their own $
we also have some of the towns we go to put up cash.
As a former organiser and still part time (very part time) racer, I'm curious about how the clubs find the money to put on races. The clubs here for the most part don't have the resources to do so.
We still get the occasional town (local council) to put up some money but those are becoming few and far between. Seems they are happier putting money into other things (perhaps perceived as more politically correct) such as bicycle events or 'diversity' festivals.
Any large event here, Cowes for instance has to be funded by a commercial sponsor. Although thousands of pounds are poured into the local economy during the event, the Cowes and Isle of Wight Councils contribute what would be considered a derisory amount at best. The marina where the race is based even charged £20,000 ($35,000) for the use of their facilities for the 5 day Cowes event this year.
Very discouraging.
verytricky
20-10-2005, 04:15 PM
Originally posted by Ben
The marina where the race is based even charged £20,000 ($35,000) for the use of their facilities for the 5 day Cowes event this year.
Cant we then go to places where we are actually wanted? AKA places where the locals are able or willing to assist?
I heard Portland was keen to host some racing. Largs in Scotland was another location. Willing to let us use their Ex NATO naval base as a base.
There have to be other places? From what I can piece together ( very limited ) the only two places that activly wanted us racing there this year were Poole and Littlehampton. Ramsgate I believe was the marina's and port authority interested - not the town.
I stand to be corrected.
So cant we just move location? If the exisitng repeat towns are not helping, move along?
Cardiff? Weymouth? Felixstowe? Portland? Lymington as a replacement for Cowes?- You can still go round the island, you can still race off shore, and you dont have to pay silly ferry fees to do so!
Hull, Grimsby, Bridlington - They may be interested?
Time to think outside the box?
Scottb
20-10-2005, 06:25 PM
We have moved some of our event to small towns where we are wanted and they roll out the red carpet.
Most clubs sell adds in the race program and have volunteers
that go door to door asking for sponsorship.
Small Cities will usually put up $$ to put there town on the map or to bring in tourism dollars.
We also do the bulk of our summer races in FL where it is the off season and people are much more receptive because it brings in dollars at a time of year when most do not vacation to FL.
The summer season up north is generally Memorial day(May 25) to Labor Day(sept 5) so we plan our races before or after those holidays and towns and businesses are anxious to fill up hotels and restaurants and more willing to throw some cash at it.
We also have a few races that are able to charge to get into VIP areas and pit areas and they raise money that way.
This year in Ortley Beach, a bar on the beach hosted the race and gave us $15,000 to have the announcers and start finish in front of his establishment. It was peak season at the beach so we had it on a Friday when it is usually a slower day. They were selling ice cream and icees on the beach for 5$ and beers and drinks for $6-$10 and he cleaned up and offered more $ for us to come back next year
Scottb
20-10-2005, 06:32 PM
PS in small towns, volunteers come out in the 100's because they just want to be a part of it all
verytricky
21-10-2005, 03:48 AM
I really think this is something we should look at in the UK. Go to other town, not the same old ones that are benefitting year after year, yet offer little or nothing in return....
Originally posted by verytricky
I really think this is something we should look at in the UK. Go to other town, not the same old ones that are benefitting year after year, yet offer little or nothing in return....
We (ORDA) are looking and I'm sure some of the other clubs are as well. Problem is time and resources, all of which are very limited.
At the same time it is quite possible that we may see some different venues on the calendar next year.
Originally posted by Adam
We (ORDA) are looking and I'm sure some of the other clubs are as well. Problem is time and resources, all of which are very limited.
At the same time it is quite possible that we may see some different venues on the calendar next year.
Would a good start maybe to ring some local councillors where events have worked well in the past?
Fowey, Falmouth in Cornwall. Swansea, Liverpool, Great Yarmouth, Hull etc.
Perhaps the younger councillors will remember the boat races in their towns with fond memories as kids?
verytricky
21-10-2005, 05:41 AM
Without appearing to take the piss, If I can help, please ask.
BluFin
21-10-2005, 09:39 AM
Swanage is worth a shot.
Had an old pal who lived there and he ended up on the council.
I passed by and said hi years ago whilst I was still racing racing.
Conversation got round to boats and he would have loved to see a return of the Swanage 80 put it to the council & 100% support.
I put him in contact with the leading club at the time & bingo he was so f**e*d off with them and the way they handled things he gave up.
Was a while ago I'm sure with the right approach they might be receptive.
Could keep it in the bay pretty much on the PR course
Swanage would be a great venue - do you still have a contact there?
BluFin
22-10-2005, 04:56 AM
No been ages more than likley moved into retirement now, I'll have a web brouse and see
Thunderbird Racing
22-10-2005, 06:27 AM
I spoke to HUll last year for an OCR race this year they from the development committee side seemed really keen. they hold close associations with the sea and are trying to revitalise and bring back leisure activities and sports in this area.
verytricky
22-10-2005, 02:10 PM
So offhand it looks like two places are possibilities.
:banana: :banana:
Originally posted by Thunderbird Racing
I spoke to HUll last year for an OCR race this year they from the development committee side seemed really keen. they hold close associations with the sea and are trying to revitalise and bring back leisure activities and sports in this area.
Hull used to be a really big event for offshore back in the 90's - would be good to go back if the funding was there.
Will try to dig some pictures out.
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