Yep it kinda bites for the fans. Last year the two of us were able to fly r/t to st pete, rental car, 2 nights motel, food & drink, and races for <$500. Don't think I can pop over to the Bahamas for a 3 day weekend for that.

They say they want spectators, then move it out of reach. :rolleyes: At least I have vac scheduled the Key West week. :D

... but the stop by the cigarette merchandise booth cost more than the whole trip, kinda blew my budget. :eek:

Todd & I were planning on making it to the races that wknd. too...maybe, we can get an OSO gathering that wknd. down there anyway?!?!

Hey, that always sounds good! I'm up for it. :cool: :D

Hey Mike,
How ya been? It's been a while now....Should plan something soon. I saw your post on the East Lake get-together. Hmmmm, I might just have to get over there.

Nick it will be fun , we did one in the spring that had a great turn out, about 40 boats, lots of racing, this one should be bigger. Lets get something together over your way soon.

Nick, count me in for an OSO outing too. You've been a little quiet here lately haven't you? Another OSO member, Hardonzi and I may hook up for some running tomorrow.

Cool Deal, Cuda! Always ready for boating with others....

Quiet?....Ya, too quiet! Believe me, It's killing me and my post-per-day average! :D :D

I'm in charge of two simultaneous proposals right now...what a pain!!! Too much work at work this week. :)

Nick
Great idea....we can go round and round till we run out of gas:D
Why dont ya set something up for late Sept??? Before the snobirds get there and its cooled down some. I'll drag my lazy ass up for a get together. Besides I got a craving for one of those sandwiches we got at that mall.

Dan

St. Pete Cancellation
 

No one is more disappointed than I about the loss of St. Pete. I try to go every year and had to cancel the space I had reserved there for 2002.

I did a little quick math and if 15,000 people came to St. Pete on that weekend, and if they spent $200 while there, the total is $1,200,000. Alweiss only wanted $60,000. They offered $15,000, he didn't take it, and that million bucks walked out of St. Pete.

This doesn't make sense. I can see the politicos position. The matter should be taken out of politics and negotiations made with a merchants association. They were the ones to gain by the races and they will be the ones who will lose.

Just MHO

And there you have it...
 

Of all the grumbling, *****ing, moaning, finger pointing and blaming I've heard about this event, Len comes along and makes possibly the most sensable and down to earth observation of the whole thing in a nutshell.
Truth be known, the APBA went the extra mile to keep the St. Pete race, but there are those that feel the need to prove a point... at the expense of not just APBA, but also the race site, the racers, the local businesses, the fans, the sponsors, the list goes on & on...