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Thx JS. It was a long hard season, the crew deserves the credit they really kicked a**.
Plenty of beautiful beaches and Islands and bars around Wst Cst. Someone smart will make it work (fun) and the Poker Run crowd will split- ones that want to watch fast boats race and party vs ones that can afford the Keys Run and want to party in KW (no prob w either.. btw). Sponsors and vendors and builders will have to make a decision 100K people race site or ??.... another split..... Viability for sponsors begins to wane on both sides until stability can be assured at one or the other venue. A race on the west coast will open the chance for a lot of performance boat families and poker runners that are not able to attend ($$,time,location) the Keys event. These boats will fill in for the boats that want the keys PR vacation. It's hard to argue with the numbers ... 3000+ spectator boats is a Lot of gas , food fun and partying for one day race...imagine a 5 day event. Some smart poker run promoter will make a fortune by locking up the best marina and creating a killer party weekend around a venue like Clearwater. Time will tell... Either way...we will be racing as hard as we can. Best to all |
Originally Posted by Jupiter Sunsation
(Post 4026767)
. Just looking at the pics of the Boca Grande sand bar party it looked like a lot more fun than standing 3 deep at the sea wall and watching boats break.
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Its pure economics nothing more nothing less. Alot of racers just cant afford to do KW so by moving the race the boat count might increase and in turn a better show. But time will tell the ball is in KW hands, they have to decide if it is something they can afford to do without. It would have a huge economic impact of the city for sure.
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Originally Posted by Jupiter Sunsation
(Post 4026767)
I think you are wrong.......While it is nice to have a "speed week" with all types of go fast boats I don't think you have as much of a following as you think since the overlap is what boosts your attendance. I can remember groups of poker runners leaving on Sunday morning before the races to get back to Miami and missing ever race on Sunday on purpose!
Just as a point......other than Key West: How many races feature a poker run of significant size around the race dates? I can't think of one, so that would negate your "poker runs will come where the races are" idea. Move that event to Clearwater and I would bet Key West is still the Poker Run destination! Remember that poker run is the finale for many up north boaters before they put the boat up for the winter and Key West is simply a better boating vacation destination than Clearwater. I understand the racers want the most bang for the buck and KW is not it but the PR crowd is of a different mentality since it is also a vacation for them. Just looking at the pics of the Boca Grande sand bar party it looked like a lot more fun than standing 3 deep at the sea wall and watching boats break. Congrats on your win......You guys deserved it after all your troubles last season! The Poker Run ot the Keys will still be what it is today.....amazing The Worls finals SBI race in clearwater will give the sport what it needs....people, coverage, and a chance a more fans. It really is a Win/Win......someone too will also prob organize a smaller Poker run for the race event too. Don;t think that there isnt any boats that wont show, there is plenty down here, For me I will do K.W. next year but that's probably it for me. Why spend 4K+ when I can boat in my back yard with thousands of others? I don't see anyone loosing if the Race it's self goes to Clearwater. Both the Race and the FPC poker run will do just fine if not better for all. |
Does anyone know the FPC/PR fleet numbers for 2003? That was the last time the "races" were moved and the raceboat count was minimal. My guess is the PR count was still large.
I hope that if the SBI races move they move it back a week(or forward) so that there remains an option for the racers to also compete in KW when another group has an event there in place of SBI. I will attend both if they are not on the same weekend. The upside of the move is I can refrain from dropping the extra $$ I was going allow for a race view room. |
Originally Posted by Cash Bar
(Post 4026844)
Does anyone know the FPC/PR fleet numbers for 2003? That was the last time the "races" were moved and the raceboat count was minimal. My guess is the PR count was still large.
I hope that if the SBI races move they move it back a week(or forward) so that there remains an option for the racers to also compete in KW when another group has an event there in place of SBI. I will attend both if they are not on the same weekend. The upside of the move is I can refrain from dropping the extra $$ I was going allow for a race view room. |
I agree Greg, or FPC can change their date... Either way they should not be on the same weekend
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Originally Posted by Nate5.0
(Post 4026847)
heck room rates and dock slip fees would prob go down a bit if the races moved and the P.R. stays. Really I think the only thing the Poker runners would miss out on is the street party with the boat doing down duval...past that I bet most don't even notice and get a cheaper rate on their rooms.
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So which crowd has the free spenders that drive the prices up ? Poker runners or racers and race fans ?
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Originally Posted by Interceptor
(Post 4026943)
So which crowd has the free spenders that drive the prices up ? Poker runners or racers and race fans ?
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Originally Posted by Xtremeracing
(Post 4026931)
The PR wouldnt notice the differance but the city sure would feel it in revenue...
Sounds like it it's up to the city if they want to put up more money or sponsors to off set ravers cost. |
Originally Posted by Nate5.0
(Post 4027004)
Does SBI or even the P.R. give a damn about that?
Sounds like it it's up to the city if they want to put up more money or sponsors to off set ravers cost. |
Are there statistics as to how many actual non-poker run viewers show up to watch the race? I can't imagine it is thousands.
If SBI leaves it would really open up the options for the FPC to expand their venue to some kilo or speed runs like the LOTO shootout. That would be a bunch of fun for the poker runners, And it actually might bring in more boaters just for that event alone. Just a thought. |
I'm sure there are numbers there is a paying gate ,
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Originally Posted by Interceptor
(Post 4026943)
So which crowd has the free spenders that drive the prices up ? Poker runners or racers and race fans ?
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Originally Posted by ActiveThunder
(Post 4027036)
Are there statistics as to how many actual non-poker run viewers show up to watch the race? I can't imagine it is thousands.
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Originally Posted by Xtremeracing
(Post 4026985)
So actually you wouldnt see 75% of the income the city see now.
The average race crew is probably 6 people. 44 boats times 6 is only 264 people. The average PR boat has 5 on board and nearly 200 show up. Doesn't take a math major to see the better deal for the city. On a spectator(no boat in KW) count, more than HALF probably come for a final party before winter. Most of those are close nit with the poker run crew, not the racers. Again, more money, less headache. I love the races, but my fun, friends and clients all attend KW for the party/fun. The event will be great with, or without, the races. |
I cant speak for all the teams but I can tell you we had 10 rooms for the crew at the Best Western and spent $22,000 just in hotel rooms for them.
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Originally Posted by Xtremeracing
(Post 4027079)
I cant speak for all the teams but I can tell you we had 10 rooms for the crew at the Best Western and spent $22,000 just in hotel rooms for them.
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Originally Posted by Xtremeracing
(Post 4027079)
I cant speak for all the teams but I can tell you we had 10 rooms for the crew at the Best Western and spent $22,000 just in hotel rooms for them.
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Originally Posted by Cash Bar
(Post 4027092)
Huge money but I assume that is the exception and not the norm. I know when I was there all week we rented a home from someone living in Jersey.
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Originally Posted by Xtremeracing
(Post 4027079)
I cant speak for all the teams but I can tell you we had 10 rooms for the crew at the Best Western and spent $22,000 just in hotel rooms for them.
Heck you could maybe hire Jimmy Buffet to do a private performance of "Margaritaville" for your crew and have money left to hire a few actors to dress and act like homeless people and have them hanging around bugging you.....after a few drinks you would never know you WEREN'T in Key West anymore...Ha, Ha!! All in fun! Dave |
We have a crew that comes from Texas every year. 6 years in a row. We come for the races and key west, not the fpc. No offense to them, but that's not our deal.
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The sport was born when a bunch of wealthy "Sportsmen" would climb aboard their boats and race from one point to another point.
Why not take the old course that we ran from Key West to Dry Tortugas and then back to Key West. However, unless the boat and crew come down as part of the poker run, they wouldn't be allowed to enter this "Sportsmen" event. If SBI leaves FP could add it to their events. If SBI stays they could add it to their schedule and work with FP to promote it. A totally different event than anyone else is doing. Remember how much everyone loved the Miami to Bimini race when it was done a few years ago. Try it! |
Originally Posted by ActiveThunder
(Post 4027096)
Greg, ya gotta stay one year on Sunset Key. Wow. We did last year but $2500 a night. What a CLASS ACTive!
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Originally Posted by ActiveThunder
(Post 4027095)
We had two rooms at the Hyatt for 3 nights and spent $5300. I'm staying with you next time!
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If the races left Key West for even 1 year - it might reduce the price gouging and renew interest from local vendors to sponsor. As it was already noted the local business' attitude is " they're going to race anyway.."
Tony Stewart (Owner/driver Nascar) publicly blasted hotels/motels at one race for gouging race fans. A cheap room started @ $500/night for the weekend of the race that was normally $60ish. Nascar changed race schedule and some tracks went from 2 races to one - it definitely has a huge economic impact on the areas - those b*tching the most - hotels/motels (who think it's just good business practice to capitalize AKA gouge when the opportunity knocks). |
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