Originally Posted by byrideroffshore

interceptor since you asked ,I can give you my take as a racer...Its pretty simple..its about MONEY..Key west has grown very expensive over the years to participate. Hotels ,bars and even the TDC really dont care to support SBI or the racers to get there. Over the past year I have spoken to many race site principal people who were questioning on how to help racers get to their venue, some provided tow money some have shown interest
in discount hotel rates etc..Key west does none..very sad. Clearwater obviously sees the benefit to hotels,bars and local economy and would like a piece of it.Our hotel has helped us for years with consistent pricing to help us get there...I dont think that goes on much with others...All for nothing it probably just doesnt matter To KEY WEST till its gone,and Im sure it will be just another sunny week in the city without the roar of boats in and out the harbor. Most other sites will be in Key West this year to view the event and try and do what they can to take it..Again all about Money...

Originally Posted by ActiveThunder

Yeah, because there is soooo much happening in Clearwater.

I wouldn't drive across the state to see it.

Originally Posted by byrideroffshore

interceptor since you asked ,I can give you my take as a racer...Its pretty simple..its about MONEY..Key west has grown very expensive over the years to participate. Hotels ,bars and even the TDC really dont care to support SBI or the racers to get there. Over the past year I have spoken to many race site principal people who were questioning on how to help racers get to their venue, some provided tow money some have shown interest
in discount hotel rates etc..Key west does none..very sad. Clearwater obviously sees the benefit to hotels,bars and local economy and would like a piece of it.Our hotel has helped us for years with consistent pricing to help us get there...I dont think that goes on much with others...All for nothing it probably just doesnt matter To KEY WEST till its gone,and Im sure it will be just another sunny week in the city without the roar of boats in and out the harbor. Most other sites will be in Key West this year to view the event and try and do what they can to take it..Again all about Money...

Originally Posted by Blueabyss

. The biggest drunk fest tittie flashing picture taking event of the year. That was until 4 years ago when Flashing or walking across the street with a beer would get you a ticket. Chris

Originally Posted by Xtremeracing

Actually its not I was suprised also. I guess the reason being ppl are always coming and going and a lot of day or two visitors. They dont book 10 day stays, and also the cities say the bars dont do nearly as much. They seem to bring their our and alot of private parties that the also supply bottles and not retail bar prices. The resturant r the biggest differance the Race/PR ppl spend way more at resturant thoughout the city hands down. Another huge differance is the amount of Scooters and golf carts the Racers/PR"s rent that week.

Originally Posted by 1000 islander

I have about 4K invested to go from the 3rd to the 12th. Flights from NY to KW were a hair over a grand, and the resort was $290 a night x ten nights, plus the rent a car for the week so we can get out and about. The only thing that will suck is that I am going to be wishing the whole time that my boat was with me. Can't put a price tag on fun I guess.

Originally Posted by 4bus

Dude cancel that car and reserve some scooters. KW is small, and a car is more of a PITA than it's worth. We used a car for just one day to drive the keys up to the lunch stop to hang with the boys doing the PR, other than that there is no need for a car in KW.