Offshore racing on CBS
 

What is going on with offshore racing on CBS it was going to be on Sat. starting in Oct.?

As of right now, It is on hold due to not enough production I guess but all I know is that it is on hold until further notice.

Chris

I would not worry about setting your TiVo anytime soon. I think its gonna be a while before anything airs. The money that was promised for the production never surfaced.

Last year Speed had P1 on, I guess they did not have the money this year. I wish somehow offshore racing could find away to be on TV. It would go a long way for growing the sport.

You can watch offshore on supercatracing.com. Just a thought...

Thanks did not know that, any other sites

P1 is on MavTV this year.

No $$$
 

At a cost of over $200,000 per programming hour, did anyone actually think that Carbonnell would be able to come up with that kind of $$$?

This number is accurate and with 8 shows, that is $1,6000,000....There is NO WAY that they can do this...I have no clue what thee indians put in their piece pipes thinking that this was realistic, but it is, what it is....

JR

B I N G O !

It seemed like malarky and nonsense from the start.....

When was the last time a network asked you to put their logo on your race vehicles.............??????

But....it sure got the rubes, newbies, hangers on, and chest thumpers all pumped up over nothing............

again.

T2x

B I N G O X 2

Maybe the question should be asked in KW - WHEN will it be on TV - but think the hat will be passed first ! - and it wont go to the TV Sponsor either ! it will line pockets as USUAL !

CAUTION - you are in the NO SPIN ZONE - J C !

That is an accurate price. I saw and subsidized Apba Offshore 2002 2003 budget. TV is not cheap.
Steve

Ahhh the great Allweiss days! When there were 80+ boat, races, TV and GMC as a sponsor. No competing associations and unity within the sport. <-----heavy sigh!! I miss those days.

Marty

ME TOO!! Me TOO!!

they say "you can never go home again" but it's gotta be worth a ph*cking try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ditto

gonna be a long time before we see those days again, but who knows what the future has in store.

Im hopeful

Chuck you are killin me :drink:

Miklos was there. He knows! He was one of the ones that came out and curtsied or I mean took a bow when everybody was thanking the powers in charge for kickin offhsore into high gear:coolcowboy:

From all the things I read about this UNITY IS THE KEY that is where it all has to start. I know it is easier said than done,just a thought.

I know the VP of Programming fairly well, and we have had this conversation many times (for this and other projects) and that has come down from $250,000/hr. since Nobama got his hands in messing everything up....When the economy wasn't getting murdered, that's what they were getting...so now its "only" $200,000 per hour...and the source couldn't be better IMHO...he's the only one who would be responsible for these transactions at CBS....

me too!!! I think I have most of them recorded on VHS. Maybe someday.................

Id love to see some of those :cool:

What ever happened to Mike A? Is he still practicing law in St Pete?

Guilty! My Bad...
 

Rich,

I'm guilty, you're right, I jumped on the band-wagon, gullible and bright-eyed! Even though Clearwater was a bright spot on the history of this past season... It was tainted with all the drama, and masqueraded of the past, I tried to explain as best I could:

I thought it would be appropriate to update what I can. I haven't seen or heard of any progress indicating a pending change or broadcast date!

I have seen SBIP take down the sponsor page of the Clearwater event that they promoted with sponsorships logo's from Hard Rock and the Seminole Indian Tribal Council...

Now the real vested sponsors are included, and the truth is being published on the SBI website!

That's at least progress!

Anything out there?

Anyone? Anyone?

Nothing... I guess like last year in New York when John Carbonell said for all the teams to get to the event, because sponsors will be there. Danny Gadarian promised a party at the Hard Rock Casino... Then you guys show up and have a party under a tent, in the rain, at a park! That's all it takes to keep you coming back for more!

I guess having John Carbonell and Danny Gadarian, tell all of you and the whole world, via press releases and media quotes, that the SBI season will be broadcast on CBS Sports Spectacular, starting Oct 3rd, 2009! Then showing up at a drivers meeting in Clearwater and admitting they didn't get it done! That's all it takes...

Let's see what JC spins this time... Like a race schedule he promotes that has only a few sites that actually pay the sanctioning fee! It would be interesting to hear what he tells the race committee's that actually pay, how he justifies who he does and doesn't charge!

The racers need to end this debacle, they are the only ones that can! Stand up and do something about this guys!



Moving on to a viable horizon,

Coach

Coach...it seems you have it all figured out. Why dont you put your money where your typing fingers are and start an organization. Show us all how offshore needs to be run in order to be a viable product for sponsors.

Soon enough...
 

It's coming, soon.

Let's cross our fingers Key West 2009 comes off safe and sound...

Then you'll get your answer, soon enough!


Coach

Yes I talk to him most everyday. We have our two old F1 Corsa's and go out and beat on each other.
Steve

There has been a lot said about JC over the years and it doesn't seem to change, some love him and other don't. Everyone on here, who are paid members, has a right to state their opinions, whether they are right or wrong. Opinions are just that, one persons opinion. I would love to see live coverage of the Key West Worlds and along with other Offshore Powerboat Races but it isn't happening yet but may some day. I can remember, a few years back watching Offshore Powerboat Racing on TV but that was a long time ago. I don't know why Offshore Powerboat Racing never gets TV coverage that everyone in North America could watch. With the economy, the way it is right now it would even be more difficult to get coverage of Offshore Powerboat Racing as it needs Sponsors Dollars, which isn't there. Another thing that the sport needs is Unification of the Offshore Org's "United We Race" It just isn't a saying it is a must and just one of the things needed. Once everyone is on the same page and not fragmented it will be a bigger show. I have always enjoyed the Offshore Races when more then one org was racing, it was a bigger show for the fans and more competitions for the racers. I look forward to 2010 to see where Offshore Powerboat Racing goes and positive dialogue or opinions is also important.

UM..... I think T2X can settle this - he knows the politics involved, the cost of production - and more - What JC forgot - was the people like my production only added to the event - and made it possible for any TV productions to get good footage at a reasonable price - Some how - if you bite the hand that feeds you, eventually there is not the hand to bite anymore ! A true Live production would require at least 4 helicopters - and the Talent like T2X to make it interesting - its not all golly gee wow - you need to know what you are talking about - and make it interesting ! but also - instead of having 12 boats race - and 12 different classes - and all of them are in First place - that makes it very confusing ! - oh well - dont get me wound up - think T2X can put it all in a few words !

Phil

The Unfortunate Circumstances Of Offshore Racing
 

IMHO, the biggest issue that Offshore Racing will have in getting big time corporate sponsor dollars is not at all the TV issue....You can simply package up the TV with the sponsorships, as well as other activations, too....The issue is that many of these "other" sponsor activations are directly with the fans of the sport, which all starts with the spectators at the events....The biggest problem with turning Offshore Boat racing into a mainstream sport is the lack of being able to have crazy attendance numbers at the races...

Now, that being said, if you look at what they did at the GOld-Cup in Detroit over the last couple of years, it was really cool...The offshore boats ran as a support race for the Unlimited hydroplanes, and frankly, they put on a hell of a show...However, I completely understand that the racers and the "old school" fans don't have any interest in the shorter 2 1/2 mile race courses, and in many ways, I think the longer 10-15 mile courses are way cooler too....the problem is you can't be in control of a venue that large to sell admission, control the concessions, etc....This not only earns tremendous revenues, but also can make a strong case for sponsors as well when you have 30,000-50,000 people there on race day and 100,000+ over a 3 day weekend...If there was a way to do this, and stage each of the events within 50-75 miles of in the top 25 markets, you now have an easy sell....

I think that the product is DEFINITELY cool enough, and can draw fans...you just have nowhere to put them all at an event, and that is the 25' brick wall that you have to climb before you can move on with the rest of it...

The Unfortunate Circumstances Of Offshore Racing
 

IMHO, the biggest issue that Offshore Racing will have in getting big time corporate sponsor dollars is not at all the TV issue....You can simply package up the TV with the sponsorships, as well as other activations, too....If you have a cool sporting event that people will watch, getting the TV time is the easy part (not that getting TV is easy, but in this example, the networks have already shown that they will air it, so you have bigger hurdles to cross...)

The issue is that many of these "other" sponsor activations are directly with the fans of the sport, which all starts with the spectators at the events....The biggest problem with turning Offshore Boat racing into a mainstream sport is the lack of being able to have crazy attendance numbers at the races...

Now, that being said, if you look at what they did at the Gold-Cup in Detroit over the last couple of years, it was really cool...The offshore boats ran as a support race for the Unlimited hydroplanes, and frankly, they put on a hell of a show...However, I completely understand that the racers and the "old school" fans don't have any interest in the shorter 2 1/2 mile race courses, and in many ways, I think the longer 10-15 mile courses are way cooler too....the problem is you can't be in control of a venue that large to sell admission, control the concessions, etc....This not only earns tremendous revenues, but also can make a strong case for sponsors as well when you have 30,000-50,000 people there on race day and 100,000+ over a 3 day weekend...If there was a way to do this, and stage each of the events within 50-75 miles of in the top 25 markets, you now have an easy sell....

I think that the product is DEFINITELY cool enough, and can draw fans...you just have nowhere to put them all at an event, and that is the 25' brick wall that you have to climb before you can move on with the rest of it...

To get big time corporate sponsors for Offshore Powerboat Racing, you have to have an avenue for them to sell their products to a large fan base but a large viewing audience is what is really needed and TV is that avenue. Many people don't even know what Offshore Powerboat Racing is, in Canada there are no Offshore Powerboat Races, so how would anyone know what it is all about. How do you teach people about Offshore Powerboat Racing, you have to televise it, so people can see a new and exciting sport to them on TV. Only then can you move forward from that point. Lets take a look at Super Bowl and what big time sponsors pay for some air time commercials. Why is this, because the Super Bowl is televised and watch in every home and the sponsors can sell their product to a massive audience. You mention that "Old School" racers don't have any interest in the shorter 2 1/2 mile course like at the Gold Cup Race. I think that is wrong, Offshore Powerboat Racing fans don't want the longer 10-15 mile race courses, fans only see occasional race action but with the shorter race course of 4-5 miles, you get to see the, whole race and continuous race action. Long course are boring and do nothing for the race fan. At the Gold Cup Races, the Offshore's put on a great show for the fans on a short course where everyone could see the entire race and they raced real close to the race fans, which was super cool and loud, that's why I buy tickets every year for that event. The St. Clair River Offshore Classic is run on a 4 mile course and a 7 mile course, although I would like to see the 7 mile course shortened to make this already great race even better, it is still the best for the fans and racers. That is what the race fans want, short courses that spectators can see the whole race and be treated to continuous race action, they don't want the long course but shorter courses, that is the future. On OSO I have read post where people are asking where is the best place to view the races at Key West, they all want to get as close as possible to the race boats and see the great racing on a short course. TV plays a major role in any sport to acquaint viewers with the sport and to help sponsors sell their products to the viewers. Not many knew what the Red Bull Air Racers where all about in Windsor and Detroit, until in 2008 when Detroit brought in the Red Bull Air Races on the Detroit River, which drew around 350,000 spectators to the water front and was televised. In 2009 the City of Windsor with sponsorship from the Ontario Government brought the Red Bull Races to Windsor and Detroit and it was the first time that they raced in Canada and they drew around 600-700,000 spectators, why because it was on TV and people saw what it was all about. If it wasn't televised I don't think there would have seen as many spectator's/tourist watching them race. TV is one of the main keys to building Offshore Powerboat Racing, along with unification of the sport, select the best race sites that spectators can see the entire race and where the boats can race as close to the spectators as possible and then it will grow. Unfortunately the economy is extremely bad and it is extremely hard to get sponsors under the present circumstances. I am not trashing any buddy or org. but just giving my opinion of where and how the sport needs to evolve for the future.

I'm from the dark ages I guess, but TV should be paying for the product, you shouldn't have to pay to have TV there, it's their ratings. It's funny how when their is a tragedy in boat racing, TV is all over the place. None of it makes sense to me, but what the hell do I know. ( I'm pretty sure the NY Yankees don't PAY to be on TV). ( I'm not comparing the Yanks to boat racing, just trying to make a point)

The Race producers think they should be paid - but that is not the way it is - first there are too many classes - 14 I think in KW - if not more- everyone wins - how to SPIN that on TV - very confusing - 2nd - lets call it Inshore racing or BAY racing - as todays racing has little to do with REAL OFFSHORE - Racing - where you would race maybe 100 miles or more - maybe ONE LAP - not 28 laps - and be out of sight of land for a while - and only have your compass and instinct to rely on !

Think of the Bahamas 500 or the Hennessy Grand Prix - where you would run 60 miles - to Fire Island - and only have your compass - that was offshore - open water - not protected bays -

I suspect soon - Key West will be run just in the harbor - and never venture out into the gulf -

now back to your regularly scheduled program !

Thinking Back
 

Back in the mid to late 90's I was still in my late teens but still remember making time during the day to watch the offshore racing. Ahh the good ol days!

I kept up with P1 this summer by watching americanpowerboat.tv

Offshore Racing!!!!!
 

I know cleveland ,ohio doesn't get anyone excited but Lake Erie had a couple offshore races up here a few years back and with the way the lake can kick up, you definetly get offshore racing. A couple miles behind the break wall in protected water and then anything goes out on the shallow lake which can kick up in a hurry. fan friendly also. Maybe since we voted a casino here we can finally get some tourism too. If Detriot can draw that many for air races I'm sure a new casino operator would love to promote offshhore racing .... to promote there interests.

I know this is a far fetched idea and probably serves only my interest but hey at least i can still dream right. which is what all of us are doing with hoping one day offshore racing gets on tv again. Especially for a industry that is slowly disappearing

The offshore racing I've seen on TV in my lifetime has been a waste of time mostly - unless you're one of the drivers who gets interviewed - always seems to be interviews of drivers or pitiful commentary (unknowledgable) - not enough good footage of the action on the water, which is what would draw people to it on TV - no one knows any of the drivers - it's not like people are going to have thier favorites like nascar or?? Of course that footage is cheaper to get than the action footage of course.

Every single time I have watched any, I find myself saying "shut the H*LL up, and show the D*** action - and get some good sound, and....

It all boils down to lack of $$. And to think that more people love all the action watching Golf..????

Just my frustrated .02

I agree with you that the shorter race courses are much better thatn the longer courses...I was simply saying that based on what I have been told by racers (as a casual fan) is that "real offshore racing" is on the longer race courses....While I think that the longer courses are cool, I was simply stating that IMHO, that the shorter courses would be the way to get the ball rolling for growing the fan base of the sport...

Using the Super Bowl in an example about how to grow boat racing is a little grandiose and skewed, isn't it? I would say that a more current and credible example would be these Extreme Sports...They started in the last several years with grassroots events, and built their fan base and then moved on to TV (coincidentally, THEY used to pay for TV when they got started, too...)

It has to start with the fans and getting them to the events...then you can build from there...

Networks won't pay for events that don't have enough of a demand and viewer following for their sales staff to sell...Thus, this can also work to the advantage of the sport in question, as they would now have the ability to package their TV with their sponsorships and create a very strong value proposition for their sponsors if they are unique enough and can reach a very targeted & coveted audience.

Believe it or not, some of the biggest NCAA Bowl Championship Games are still time-buys...This is because of the above stated model...They package a lot of on-field, off-field, and in-game promotion...The networks would not have any jurisdiction of any on-field, on-uniform, or off-TV promotion that theses games can offer which is why they do this...

Yes, I have to agree that "Real Offshore Racing" took place on the longer race course's and on the ocean but it only served the needs of the racers, as no one else could see them flying through the air unless it was televised from a helicopter. As for my grandiose statement about the the Super Bowl, It may have been over the top but the point is, watch college football, NFL, NBL and NBA, their show is on the air and they have the sponsors to support it. Why them and not Offshore Powerboat Racing, the action is front and center so that everyone can see it and not miss the action. They all draw huge crowds to their games and and that is what sponsors want. Spectators and fans pay higher prices for tickets just to be closer to the action which they are watching and the promoters know that and capitalize on it and then there are the tickets in the noise bleed sections that are still usually filled because fans can still see all the action in front of them. In Offshore Powerboat Racing we have to have the fans together at one spot and it is impossible to do this with longer race courses and there for the shorter course's are a must and at sites where the race boats can also race close to the spectators, eg. "The Detroit River", "The St. Clair River". Lakes and oceans are not the idle spots to hold Offshore Powerboat Races if you want to draw huge crowds of spectators. Offshore can learn from other promoters of other sports as to why they are so successful, they hold their events right in front of the spectators and everyone knows what is going on at all times and they are televised live in most cases and not months later like offshore. I have always believed that the more boats racing together the more interesting the race will be for the spectators and the fans. If it meant only holding say 5 Offshore Powerboat Races at the best race sites that exist or get new one's, Offshore racing would be going in the right direction towards building for the future. Most of us but not all, would love to see SBI/APBA, OSS and OPA forming one large Offshore Powerboat Racing Association which would race at the best race sites they select. Bring the big show to the fans, where everyone can learn what it is all about and where they can all see the awesome show that Offshore Powerboat Racing is capable of put on for the fans and they will come. We can learn from others and there are a lot of very smart people and successful business people in Offshore Powerboat Racing. I wish I was going to Key West Offshore Worlds where the best of the best will be battling it out on a race course where spectators can see the whole race course and watch in awe as the race boats fly by only feet away from the spectators on shore and on the spectators fleet. That's exactly what I'm talking about and can you imagine if most of the races were something like that and televised live.