Oss Race St.pete Yes Or No??????
06-20-2004, 06:45 PM
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Oss Race St.pete Yes Or No??????
Just heard that race permits havn't been pulled yet due to M. Alweiss creating a stir or controversy. So as of now are we on or not this Sunday? This is what I heard from the grapevine. Can any one elaborate?
06-20-2004, 08:14 PM
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Re: Oss Race St.pete Yes Or No??????
I blew a tire on my trailer and my spare was flat. Finally got it fixed 2 hours later and went to put the boat in the water and the plug was gone. That frickin Alweiss did it, I know it
06-20-2004, 08:27 PM
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Re: Oss Race St.pete Yes Or No??????
Frank, I heard that the Coast Guard was being sued by "someone", actually using the manatee mating season or some reason, for the basis of the lawsuit to stop the race. Have not heard anything since but my "ears" are wide open. If anyone hears anything please post immediately. I hope it comes off, way too many people have planned and committed for this event for it to be cancelled at the last second for ANY REASON.....
06-20-2004, 08:35 PM
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Re: Oss Race St.pete Yes Or No??????
It appears that the rumored "MA connection" is just someone's way of inciting more animosity between racers and groups to reopen old wounds. Boat racing can certainly do without that nonsense.
Here's the scoop:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5241147/
Manatee issue holds up Offshore Super Series permit
By Jane Meinhardt
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Updated: 8:00 p.m. ET June 20, 2004ST. PETERSBURG -- The Coast Guard's decision on whether a permit will be issued to allow the Offshore Super Series powerboat race was expected on Friday.
More than 30,000 race fans are expected for the Offshore Super Series scheduled for June 24-27. However, as of June 16, organizers had been unable to obtain a federal permit required for the event.
The issue is the safety of West Indian manatees. Federal wildlife officials informed the Coast Guard that they were concerned the slow-moving, endangered species would be injured or killed by race boats and the fleet of spectator boats expected for the event.
"All we can say is that we should be ready (to make a decision) on Friday," said Coast Guard Ensign Ricky Brooks.
Officials of St. Petersburg Offshore Super Series Inc., a newly formed nonprofit hosting and organizing the event, appealed to U.S. Rep. C. W. "Bill" Young, R-Largo, for assistance in obtaining a permit from the Coast Guard.
Pinellas County businessman and racer Todd Werner formed the nonprofit. He owns Sure Feed Engineering Inc., Pro Marine Inc., TCW Investments Inc. and Pro Toyz Inc. He also owns the Flowmaster powerboat racing team.
Werner hired Bob Kersteen, former St. Petersburg City Council member, as the nonprofit's executive director.
"We have to know about a permit on Friday," Kersteen said. "We'll do whatever it takes to get a race off."
He said the safety of manatees is important to the organization but measures to prevent harming them are built into the race course management.
The group plans to have observers on The Pier and in aircraft to watch for manatees. If a manatee ventures within 500 feet of the race course, the race would be stopped, he said.
In addition, organizers placed the race course far enough out in the bay to keep powerboats out of grassy areas where manatees feed, Kersteen said.
"Now they want us to be a half mile east of the end of The Pier," he said. "We'll have a tough time selling tickets for the Race Village at Vinoy Park. It's all well-intended, but no manatee has been injured or killed to my knowledge in the past."
Chuck Underwood, public affairs officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Jacksonville, said his agency had no objection to a permit as long as conditions for the manatee's safety were included.
About 40 powerboats are expected for the race. Werner provides cash winnings of about $30,000, Kersteen said.
Unlike past powerboat races off St. Petersburg, the event is designed to raise money for the Pinellas Police Athletic League, the Friendship Trail, Everyone's Youth United and the Pinellas Education Foundation.
In the past, similar races were for-profit operations that left city officials complaining about some unpaid bills.
The St. Petersburg Offshore Super Series has already paid for city services for the event, said Jacquelyn Schuett, event marketing manager for the city. New event organizers are required to pay up front for services, according to city policy.
The city is a co-sponsor of the event in name only, Schuett said.
"The organization applied through our co-sponsor program," she said. "This means the city is in support of it, and we're helping with the planning, logistics and promotion. The city is not providing any financial support."
The city welcomes the race and the business it brings to downtown.
"From the standpoint of what people can experience, it will be significant with all the activities that are planned," Schuett said.
Neither she nor other city officials had any estimate of the economic impact of past races. A 10-day offshore powerboat series in Sarasota creates an estimated $9 million impact.
It was difficult to estimate how much the St. Petersburg event will raise for the four charities because the race course location was in limbo, Kersteen said.
The Race Village in Vinoy Park will feature an inflatable water slide, live entertainment and other activities. A motorcycle rally and antique car show also are planned.
A three-day ticket for admission to Race Village will cost $10. The daily entry fee will be $5.
A three-day, all-inclusive VIP pass will cost $175 and provide access to all venues except the hot pits where boats are loaded and unloaded.
Here's the scoop:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5241147/
Manatee issue holds up Offshore Super Series permit
By Jane Meinhardt
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Updated: 8:00 p.m. ET June 20, 2004ST. PETERSBURG -- The Coast Guard's decision on whether a permit will be issued to allow the Offshore Super Series powerboat race was expected on Friday.
More than 30,000 race fans are expected for the Offshore Super Series scheduled for June 24-27. However, as of June 16, organizers had been unable to obtain a federal permit required for the event.
The issue is the safety of West Indian manatees. Federal wildlife officials informed the Coast Guard that they were concerned the slow-moving, endangered species would be injured or killed by race boats and the fleet of spectator boats expected for the event.
"All we can say is that we should be ready (to make a decision) on Friday," said Coast Guard Ensign Ricky Brooks.
Officials of St. Petersburg Offshore Super Series Inc., a newly formed nonprofit hosting and organizing the event, appealed to U.S. Rep. C. W. "Bill" Young, R-Largo, for assistance in obtaining a permit from the Coast Guard.
Pinellas County businessman and racer Todd Werner formed the nonprofit. He owns Sure Feed Engineering Inc., Pro Marine Inc., TCW Investments Inc. and Pro Toyz Inc. He also owns the Flowmaster powerboat racing team.
Werner hired Bob Kersteen, former St. Petersburg City Council member, as the nonprofit's executive director.
"We have to know about a permit on Friday," Kersteen said. "We'll do whatever it takes to get a race off."
He said the safety of manatees is important to the organization but measures to prevent harming them are built into the race course management.
The group plans to have observers on The Pier and in aircraft to watch for manatees. If a manatee ventures within 500 feet of the race course, the race would be stopped, he said.
In addition, organizers placed the race course far enough out in the bay to keep powerboats out of grassy areas where manatees feed, Kersteen said.
"Now they want us to be a half mile east of the end of The Pier," he said. "We'll have a tough time selling tickets for the Race Village at Vinoy Park. It's all well-intended, but no manatee has been injured or killed to my knowledge in the past."
Chuck Underwood, public affairs officer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Jacksonville, said his agency had no objection to a permit as long as conditions for the manatee's safety were included.
About 40 powerboats are expected for the race. Werner provides cash winnings of about $30,000, Kersteen said.
Unlike past powerboat races off St. Petersburg, the event is designed to raise money for the Pinellas Police Athletic League, the Friendship Trail, Everyone's Youth United and the Pinellas Education Foundation.
In the past, similar races were for-profit operations that left city officials complaining about some unpaid bills.
The St. Petersburg Offshore Super Series has already paid for city services for the event, said Jacquelyn Schuett, event marketing manager for the city. New event organizers are required to pay up front for services, according to city policy.
The city is a co-sponsor of the event in name only, Schuett said.
"The organization applied through our co-sponsor program," she said. "This means the city is in support of it, and we're helping with the planning, logistics and promotion. The city is not providing any financial support."
The city welcomes the race and the business it brings to downtown.
"From the standpoint of what people can experience, it will be significant with all the activities that are planned," Schuett said.
Neither she nor other city officials had any estimate of the economic impact of past races. A 10-day offshore powerboat series in Sarasota creates an estimated $9 million impact.
It was difficult to estimate how much the St. Petersburg event will raise for the four charities because the race course location was in limbo, Kersteen said.
The Race Village in Vinoy Park will feature an inflatable water slide, live entertainment and other activities. A motorcycle rally and antique car show also are planned.
A three-day ticket for admission to Race Village will cost $10. The daily entry fee will be $5.
A three-day, all-inclusive VIP pass will cost $175 and provide access to all venues except the hot pits where boats are loaded and unloaded.
Racer
