Venture Cup

[andy21]

I must have missed that. Thanks for the quick response.

A real shame your not going to be visiting us though.

[blimp]

It was a close call between the two, but ultimately we decided we'd go with Jersey.

Over the past few months the authorities over there have been working really hard with us to ensure a fantastic race and supporting event this June.

[blimp]

Teams - another group email has just been sent out. This time the focus is on exciting new additions to the first two days of racing.

The full details are in the email, but the main elements are as follows:

The first leg - from London to Jersey - is now also Round 1 of the RYA British National Marathon Championship.

An additional race had been added into the first day which will run from London to Ramsgate and then back to Southend. This will be open to the following classes:
- National Class 3
- Open Club Class
- Historic

Finally, we've added in an exciting new race on the Sunday in Jersey, called the 'Jersey Sprint'. Apart from going towards the overall Venture Cup standings, it's also Round 2 of the RYA British National Marathon Championship. Marathon teams therefore now have an option of joining us for the entire two weeks, or just the first weekend - both options have significant rewards.

[blimp]

Just got this pic in from Steve at team 'TallyHo' - beautiful new paintjob for their Scorpion as part of an 8-month refit for the race. Thought you guys might like to see it.

[hunton69]

The flag is upside down

[OCRDA]

Nice !!

[Adam]

When is that new website going to be launched?

Be really good to see an up to date entry list with all changes and more details of entrants.

Just think it would be good to see

[blimp]

Hi Adam - it's on the 'to do urgently' list ...and much of it is already done (but not published). We've simply been too busy in other areas since just before Christmas. The big demand for the site will come after our international launch, so we've some time yet ....but we're as keen as everyone to get the new site up asap

[Mikko Oikari]

"Big demand" - "international launch". A bit late with little more than 3 months to go... The website, together with Boatmad, was THE most important parts in creating hype for the RB 2008-race. Ok. New times, Facebook etc but not much there either...

[blimp]

Hi Mikko - the reality is that these are indeed different times. However this matter goes a little deeper.

We've got two audiences - the powerboat racing community and then the general public.

Boatmad obviously serves the first group, and if you recall the websites for RB 08 and the planned RB11 and RB12, these were mostly speaking to that same audience. For us, we can speak to racers in a more controlled manner through our group emails - which you've been receiving from the outset.

For the general public, it's not possible to sustain interest over a long period of time (unless you have large budget) so we're hitting them hard soon and trying then to bring them with us into the June race. The website is also being redesigned for the public rather than for solely the powerboat community.

I fully understand that you, and others, may not agree with this strategy but it's the one we've chosen to pursue.

[Mikko Oikari]

Originally Posted by blimp

Hi Mikko - the reality is that these are indeed different times. However this matter goes a little deeper.

We've got two audiences - the powerboat racing community and then the general public.

Boatmad obviously serves the first group, and if you recall the websites for RB 08 and the planned RB11 and RB12, these were mostly speaking to that same audience. For us, we can speak to racers in a more controlled manner through our group emails - which you've been receiving from the outset.

For the general public, it's not possible to sustain interest over a long period of time (unless you have large budget) so we're hitting them hard soon and trying then to bring them with us into the June race. The website is also being redesigned for the public rather than for solely the powerboat community.

I fully understand that you, and others, may not agree with this strategy but it's the one we've chosen to pursue.

Its not about agreeing or not. You are organizing an EVENT and Mike organized a RACE, thats the main difference.
If you like it or not - thats up to you. As a racer I´m more in for the RACE...

[blimp]

I understand where you're coming from Mikko, and the heart of the event is 100% the race ....it's what everything else is built upon.

Delivering just the 'race' element simply isn't enough anymore - at least for something like London to Monte-Carlo. The costs are significant and there just aren't enough revenues available to run the race alone. That's why it needs to expand out into an event where you can hope to gain the necessary funding the run all the parts.

On a broader note, wrapping the race within an event brings more people to the sport.

[Mrs Smillie]

Originally Posted by blimp

I understand where you're coming from Mikko, and the heart of the event is 100% the race ....it's what everything else is built upon.

Delivering just the 'race' element simply isn't enough anymore - at least for something like London to Monte-Carlo. The costs are significant and there just aren't enough revenues available to run the race alone. That's why it needs to expand out into an event where you can hope to gain the necessary funding the run all the parts.

On a broader note, wrapping the race within an event brings more people to the sport.

Is this all not just a 'Fob' off Aiden!! Claire

[blimp]

Claire - I'm not going to get into any sort of debate with you on any public forum, and you know well why not.

[Mrs Smillie]

Originally Posted by blimp

Claire - I'm not going to get into any sort of debate with you on any public forum, and you know well why not.

ok then email me and tell me the truth!! Claire

[Mrs Smillie]

Well had my reply from Aiden Foley and it was along the lines of as you are not a competitor you are no entitled to know anything if thats not fobbing me off not sure what is!!!! Claire

[Renegade]

This is like watching jeremy kyle.

[Keanaz]

Originally Posted by Renegade

This is like watching jeremy kyle.

So WHO is the Father?

[Paul E]

I dunno, but I bet MrsSmillie won't be happy either way!

[andy21]

DNA test!!