Pat D

I apologize.....I should not have used the word rivalry.

I am talking about the logistical problems. One problem that was mentioned was parking room........boats on trailers and the trucks and semi's that bring them for the racers take up a lot of space in our LIMITED area.
This area - has become SIGNIFICANTLY tighter due to military rules. (I will not get into that for obvious reasons)

One thing that does help with this is the fact that someone mentioned that the poker runners COME ON THEIR BOATS.
This helps a lot but not all the poker run people are in the boat and want transportation when they get here and want a place to park.

In years past, there was room for poker run boats and trucks, patrol boats and pace boats to also park in our pits.
That has changed very much, and it hurts me to have to tell my volunteers that we don't have enough room.

I apologize if I said it wrong.
I will go back and edit.
PD

Mac

How stupid are these guys??? If it wasnt for the poker runners, I personally think this race would be history, half the freaking crowd are people that came in with the poker run! for a sport the seems to be hanging by a theard you would think the two enities would want to work together!!

BLee

I see what you mean now. Yes, the "rivalry" word was what sounded so crazy since the different organizations have somewhat of a rivalry. I couldn't imagine the poker run group being merged into that because we ALL love to watch the races, no matter what organization it happens to be that weekend.

Thanks for clairifying.

DollaBill

Ron I remember talking to you right after you had these discussions and remember your frustration. I would hope that maybe all the organizing bodies could unify and put the pressure on to bring in you-know-who

Cash Bar

In my best Bartles and James voice:

We thank you for your support.

I think we did our best to represent you and your org. professionally, on and off the race course.

I think I even gave you the bird as we passed by your table on sunset pier.

stevequick

Quote from Pat D:

I have also received many emails and pm's and at first I was afraid to open them.
But it has been interesting, and educational. Racers who race with SBI and people I've never met have given me new insight into some of the people posting and commenting on the situation that started it all. Some are pretty funny and most won't even get into it because the song is so old.
Different opinions and complaints are expected and can be dealt with.

Pat,
I'm coming in late to this party, so forgive me if this request is out of line. Could you remove the names from some of the PM's and E-mail's you have received and post them? I would love to hear some insider commentary on this issue. You know fair, balanced and not pandering.
SQ

Pat D

You know what?
When I went out my back door this morning and saw all the pleasure and fishing boats in my canal and on the gulf on my way into Marathon, I looked at them in a new light.
Little do they know, they are the lucky ones. No pressure of racing or disagreeing with a head fisherman.
I decided then that when this thread got to 5000, I would jump out.

The emails and PM's were all POSITIVE.......in one way or another and not pandering at all, but on a more friendly level than when people know the world is reading their stuff. I heard from people on this thread that I did not know at all but hope to meet in the future.
I really enjoyed them, and I will save them.

My goal was to state facts and not argue.
SBI is not only John Carbonell. Our staff has been together for years and we do 10 to 12 races a season, sometimes 2 a month, we travel a lot together and we are a family. From medical to cranes to inspectors to registration to patrol boat volunteers that show up faithfully every year at our sites. Our group is very strong.

I will say my favorite pm's ..........Marc Granet from Geico, Hot Duck and Johnny Stanch/Cintron. Thanks guys.

The views are now over 5000
Later Steve............PD

DJD

Wow! You are kidding....right?? The races have been around LONG before poker runs were invented and they will be in Key West long after the poker runners go for a different weekend.
Speaking of who's been around longer, how long has Carbonell been doing this? 20? 30 years? How about the other players? A lot of people have come and gone but J. C. is still doing his thing and exactly the way he wants to do it.

MOBILEMERCMAN

You guys are getting all worked up to get someones attention. Its been JC's race for a long time now. It's his home town. Last month everyone was talking about how great Key West is and slamming anyone who said anything about bad about JC. Now what change of heart?

Some old story new faces." I don't like the way I was treated we'll fix him".

You either support him or not. Pretty simple.

My gut tells me when JC is tired of racing there will be no more Key West races. His way or no way.... Just my opinion.

I'm not defending him I just realize it is what it is. KW is his.

TYPHOON

Race teams need fans!!! PR teams dont need fans! Both love the same things (cool fast boats). If I were a race promoter and knowing I need fans to support my teams I would think the perfect place to start would be PR people. I would work with them any way I could to get the PR people to share and participate in my event. We should do joint events with vendors,manufactures and media. If an event had 50 race teams and 100 PR teams and we all hung together in the same location it would be off the hook fun. Its not all about the 1-hour race, its about the weekend together with more friends with parades,contest,street party's and putting on value to the towns we visit. We need to close this gap and realize we all think the same way and not "them and us" Think in terms of Havasu this last year.
MD