A few Marathon suggestions....
 

I first want to say that I had a great time in Marathon with the APBA. Seeing Steve David, Dee Kimes, Pops, Clay, Bob and the crew makes me feel among family. The event was very well run and the schedule was kept very tight. I did see some areas that needed improvement though and thought that I would toss out a few ideas (these are not APBA specific)

1. It was represented that the old 7 mile bridge would be open to the public yet it was closed to all but press and race control. I heard alot of spectators grumbling about the lack of access. I was even more disturbed to see that crew members and teams were not allowed out there either yet inmates on work release from the Monroe county jail really enjoyed the show from the bridge. That needs to be open next year. ( I did get out on the bridge but was forced to use my powers of deception!!)

2. The VIP viewing area was closed to all but those who were willing to pay the $175 to get in only to be charged for bottled water on top of that!! They even tried to make my wife pay $175 for our 3 year old!! She would have none of that!! The concept of viewing from a VIP area is good but as drivers/throttlemen we were not even allowed into that area unless we paid. I figured that the $7000 I spent to be there would be sufficient, but I guess not. My assumption was that it would really be a better VIP area if the VIP's got to be near and mingle with crews (driver/throttle at least). I didnt want the food just wanted to be able to see the course. Instead we stood around with the other crews peering through the fence like orphans trying to see our boats go by!! Maybe you should discount the VIP tickets for crews.

Anyone else make observations??

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

D-hlaw, I think the Army Corps of Engineers banned fans from the bridge and as far as the VIP section...I sure wouldn't pay for it.
I do have one other suggestion for ya.
STAY IN THE BOAT NEXT YEAR :eek: :D

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

But the water looked soo inviting........

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

Brett,

I overheard the announcers say they hope to have the bridge open to spectators next year???? Well, I think I remember hearing that last year too, so I wont hold my breath. Yeah, the $175 was BULL, We sat on the Seawall, right next to the VIP area, and brought our own cooler, and made the walk to the seven mile grille between races for Lunch, it was Just Fine. I Am Surprised they wanted to charge your family, Now that is BULL$HIT, without you guys out there, there would be no reason for a VIP area!!!!!

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

Brett and other Friends,

Your comments are well taken. Jim Poplin and his staff are already working with the Marathon promoter to cure the problems from the 04 event. I'd give us a B+ for this year and we're striving for an A+ for the 05 event. In our books, our APBA racers are absolutely VIP's and we'll make certain you're treated as such for VIP areas, etc.
Both Corps of engineers and the DOT restricted access to the old 7 mile bridge, and we hope that is corrected by 05. Aside from that, every governmental unit from DNR, DOT, Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, City of Marathon, County of Monroe etc. were exceptionally cooperative and forward looking to bigger and better events in the future. Our momentum is tangible, our core of loyal APBA racers continue to motivate and inspire Pop, Clay, David, Amy, Lenny, Don, Terry, Marty, Michelle, Mark, Paul, Bobby, Greg, Jeff and Josh, The Sorrentino's, Dee and the entire APBA Offshore staff to do their best to make certain you all have a great race and come back home to your families when the day is done. Hey, I'm havin' a ball too, you guys and gals are a hoot!

Steve David

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

I had a great time as well. My only regret was that I was hoping to hook up with more OSO members to put a face behind the name. I went to all the events and Friday and Saturday nights and everybody looked alike.

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

I too was wondering about those convicts in the orange jumpsuits going right through onto the old bridge for a good view of the race (I suppose they were there for "trash pick up") :mad:

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

Do you guys where your OSO shirts to these events? I found Bill S and GDFTHA only becuase they wore OSO shirts.

The problem with the bridge is the rusted railings that may or may not hold the weight of hundreds of people leaning against them. They have funding in place to make substantial repairs to the bridge and if it can happen by next year's race, the bridge will be open to the public....so I was told by a town official.

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

Ron, I wore my shirt on Friday. Went to the wet pits, dry pits, hot pits, and not to mention the tiki bar @ the Sombrero. Noticed the Lucas team was there and some sort of Grady White thing going on.

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

Klaatu, were you @ the Sombrero?

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That was me! I got there Friday morning about 9:30 watching the "DUNK's"

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

====================
Damn we just missed eachother....As I told Ron P he needs a large logo ON THE BACK OF HIS SHIRT-T/POLO.. I have a issued OSO shirt with the OSO.com embroidered logo on the left breast. But being a male, not too many people check out my breasts, left or right :D :crazy:

I made a computerized copy of the OSO logo and "IRON Transferred" to the BACK of my polo, that is how Ron spied me.

I just got to the Sombrero pool/Tiki bar as this "skinny kid" was getting into the dunk cockpit. He must have been a NEWBIE since the safety guy layed on top of the capsul explaing the rules (see photo) and process for about 15 minutes before flipping the capsule.. :crazy:

On Sunday I met and briefly chatted with Lee Mills who stated they planned a portion of the bridge will be improved so as to accomodate more fans/crew.
I suggested that it be open down at the south end (??) where the closest view to turns 4-7 would be. Before he could comment he got paged.

As a paying fan I agree with free access to VIP areas for all CREW members as long as it isn't abused as it was at Daytona year before last. The Carter crew members stood in front of the stands blocking the views of most of the paying fans.

At Marathon this year, I had the pleasure of having Pier 57 (I'm almost a Lisa M. groupie) crew and the CMS (?) crews next to me. They were as always very polite and informative as they communicated with the drivers and never impeded my view or photo taking.

My suggestion to all groups like OSO...Please provide LARGE logos on the BACK of Polos, that way we will meet more as well as advertise more ...



OH YES.... The NEWBIE taking the DUNK was our great friend--Steve David!!

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

Ron speaking of shirts did you see mine ?

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

HollyWood, you don't need to wear a special shirt, I just look for the guy that looks like a movie star.

Quess which one is Hollywood.

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Oh and exactly how did you guys get out on the bridge without passes?

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

Hollywood saw a TV crew coming up to walk out on the bridge so he asked to carry the boom microphone and they let him. He walked right out there like Cronkite himself!! I was forced to use my abilities to deceive the law enforcement to get by the gate...(I dropped some Krispy Kremes and they scrambled, so I walked on by with a few other people)

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

I agree there is a lot of upside to allowing Crew and Racers Families into the VIP Area, not just for them, but for the fans as well who have questions and can't get answers with a lot of precision from other fans (sometimes).

As for the $175.00 price for VIP treatment and viewing, I guess I'm not all that troubled about it ... Lee Mills stuck with APBA when a lot of others were running away, the events have to make money, what was the "premium viewing area worth". Obviously, many were willing to pay the $175, it looked like a good size crowd in that area.

One of the challenges in the sport (any promoter will tell you) is lack of "gate control", and therefore lack of a "paid gate", I think its a matter of maximizing the space you have to sell.

It is a great race, Lee and APBA did an excellent job. I can't wait until next year, I suspect it will be even better.

Lets not be too hard on our Race Promoters, we don't have that many, none are getting rich from what they are doing and there is generally more benefit to the Fans and the Racers than anyone else from their efforts.

Gregg Reichman

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

OK, can I borrow your boat???

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d-law..

When I get the other one finished, yes, you can "borrow" this one for a nominal fee.

Gregg Reichman

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

Hollywood, was that you I spoke to at the hot pits? "Mark said good luck".

Re: A few Marathon suggestions....
 

No. :)