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Anything to engage the spectators will help. Love the "spectator tree" idea. I also have an inverter I can donate if needed.
We will be at every drag race when possible.
When we are there consider us volunteers!
You guys put on a great show and we need to keep it growing!

That's a great offer as we can always use the help.

Years ago I use to organize drag sled racing in and around the Sudbury area… bla bla bla…To attract racers or new racers it took a little prize $, the bigger the pay out the bigger the racer turn out. 100% payback plus a plaque/trophy got the same old racers … through in a few thousand contingency and bam you would be surprised who turns out.

"Thumbs up odba schedule update
aug 16th and 17th Knoxville tn has come on board thanks to jimmy hensly and the city of Knoxville we have a purse of 25000.00 guaranteed plus entries that should put us over 30000.00 in total payouts."

I'll be looking into that again for this coming year Ken. It was tried last year but I think there were some ... "issues" regarding drag specific prize money ( unfortunate ) .
Cash is king when talking about the higher dollar boats for sure and when you can offer a really good prize structure you'll draw more entries and increase the seriousness of the sport.
Without it you are really just promoting club racing within its own members ........ not exactly what I'd like to keep doing. There's room for this to grow into possibly three good races if all agreed upon and if we get permission to chase prize money for our class then we will draw a higher boat count. Our LakeRacer program is very strong as it is but who wouldn't think a 20 boat field would be fun......
Boat racing in general over its entire lifespan and with ever single organization out there seems guilty of being its own worst enemy when it comes to what seems to be a struggle between promotion and growth vs a private club mentality.
I'd love to be allowed to chase some good money for the drag classes.

Jeff, for the generous money donated by 2 solid Drag sponsors last year, I proposed a structure to promote increasing Drag entry through tow money to attract those travelling from furthest distances(eg: US: MI, OH, IL, MA,...) to offset fuel costs, discussed with the sponsors in several conference calls. The intent was to attract distant US competitors, by offsett their travel expenses whether they won/lost, because we knew CDA had fastest contenders in most classes(eg: Archer, Pat) other than Rick C. Rather short sighted to keep prize money within incestuous Ontario Drag commmunity, does little to attract new blood & promote across border. The message either didn't get out by Drag class reps, wasn't enough $, or for some other reason it didn't attract anyone other than Rick C. Btw, many Yanks do not have passports. The donation was absolutely not highjacked by stock outboard, or T's. What exactly in your opinion was the "issue"? Don't mince words.

For 2014, you are Drag Class Rep, from whom do you require permission to chase Drag sponsorship funds?...Go for it, for Drags, for TORC, for whatever reason to promote Drags, increase entries and competition. It is end of Feb, most sponsors have commited 2014 sponsorship $'s into their 2014 budgets and business plans, what's happening?
"Allowed to chase some good money"...???...What and who is holding you/Drag back from seeking sponsorship?...then go for the bad money.
Jeff, apologies for sharp comments, had to get this shit off my chest. Nobody/TORC has held anyone back from taking initiative.

Now, in all sincerity, good for you for stepping up 2014 to drive Drag rules, competition, boat count, promotion. Get on sponsorship, don't look back at what has failed. Look forward, initiate your own Drag promotion/prize plan, present it to Drag participants to gain momentum, assist in executing the plan for a successful season. I'd hate to read someone taking shots or making excuses 12months from now if 2014 Drag sponsorship didn't work out, in light of what has been learned over 2013.
Good luck, let me know how I can help!

You mean Rich S...I'm Rick C..

Hydroid , great post and thank you.
I only attended the Gravenhurst race and I can remember that their were some rumours of monies etc etc and what happened and the cause of I have no idea as the topic seemed to die out unfortunately rather quickly.
The tow money is always a great way to attract longer distance racers.
In my use of the word issues it was meant as issues and not a finger point what so ever so if there's a reason for some one to think otherwise I'd like to know as to possibly eliminate any confused parties.
It was also evident that there seemed to be some either A: conflicted opinions of what each class could do for themselves or B: a reason to wait to know if a class by itself could gather it's own resources.
TORC is the reason we are all here racing and it must be clear as to what is acceptable and fair to the organization. . . that seemed to be unclear in what I remember.
In no way what so ever was any ill meant by anything I posted what so ever in the above post. I had asked a few questions in the past and some very muddy answers were given and I'm sure it was that way for a very good reason. I was not officially part of anything up until this past year and hope to do the racing even a little bit of good.
The meaning of this entire post is to know what the racers would like to see to make things better or enjoyable for the now and the growth of the sport.
No money has been promised by me or anyone involved that I know of as I yet and there will always be people that want to take shots at other's efforts.
I take this racing way too serious most of the time but I truly love it.

Let's hope for some sort of warmth in the near future.

Cheers

Dammit. . . was really hoping that was a hint you'd be drag racing this year

Admittedly I typed wrong name, good catch Hawkeye.....but REALLY, a little rich to flatter yourself thinking anyone might have thought you were referenced in same sentence as Archer/Pat, other than to inflate their trailer tires.
But I'm cool, knowing the fat kid patrolling halls in grade school never got respect,....until he pulled his Dad's AK47 out of his locker.

Jeff, Im providing following to ensure transparency. Indeed late 2012/early 2013 there was much talk about a sizeable 2013 Drag sponsorship forthcoming from a Drag connection. This went on for months, nothing concrete despite phone calls placed. Finally I called John & Greg early Spring, 2 capable guys I respect for their integrity & getting sh** done; they pursued this, confirmed with a source it would not materialize.
Quickly they both stepped up as Drag/TORC sponsors, we(John, Greg, Jason, I) discussed options, their expectations, tow vs prize money. Consensus was to spread tow $ between several long distance attendees, as greater long term benefit for Drag/TORC to attract racers from US to play in our backyard(Dunnville or Muskoka), build CDA/US Drag relations with Jasper months away. We also agreed prize $$ can have unintended consequences, pit racers to risk what they otherwise would not unless $$'s on the line. There was discussion to spread some $ to a SO/T racer that came from furthest to offset cost.

With few evident US attendees, we could have done better with a more forceful marketing/promotional campaign toward US Drag guys to come up here, whether Muskoka or Dunnville; that's where the sponsorship was to have been best employed.
Now is the time to re-engage in Drag sponsorship/promotion, entice US Drag guys to come, understand their barriers(eg: passport), get commitments on their calendar.
Jeff, it seems you have plenty Car/boat drag experience & enthusiasm to build the 2014 season, this thread is great avenue for racers to express their wants, propose alternatives. If interested I can provide race event cost breakdown, and economics(sponsor, entry fees) to be viable. Keep at it, always welcome to reach out to me to bounce stuff.

Erik