Excited and Nervous at the same time..

[RiverDave]

We are 11 days away from qualifying and there's still a million lose ends to tie up. On my end I think everything is pretty minimal, it's things like booking rooms for the band, negotiating out room prices for safety boats, and seeing who needs one, and making sure we having everything people need. Then there's big things like not having a finalized budget in hand yet, which I'm about 99% sure we are good to go, it just makes me nervous because I have OCD and want everything done months in advance instead of days or hours (in some cases). I'm not sure what Scott's dealing with, but I'm sure he's got more balls in the air then I do at this point. He's been head down and working hard, so I haven't talked to him much in the last week or so (plus I have been sick as all get out). I hope the next time I talk to him it bears all good news, but usually it's "Dave we got this this and this done... but now...." Which is always a good time. LOL

The other thing that makes me nervous is out of all the events I have put on, the Enduro is quickly becoming the largest or most important. Lets face it, this isn't putting on some after hours party, or a poker run, or a get together. A lot of guys spend cubic dollars to come out and race this thing, and I don't take that lightly. Even to race one of the lower divisions if you add it all up would cost 5-7,000 and that's providing you don't break anything. The upper divisions the guys spend a couple thousand in fuel alone! I think about all of that as if I was racing the event myself, and I want to make sure they have the best experience possible. Point in fact my goal since I took it over is to make it "Like no other boat race they have ever been too." That's part of the reason why we pay out in cash, and have the full on BBQ's for all the teams. I know it's not a lot, but I talk to some friends that race Offshore and they pay thousands, and get a 15.00 plaque if they win, so I think we are ahead of the game on "a fun weekend" front.

I'd like to hear from the racers though, especially if you raced last year. How did we do? What are you looking forward to this year? What can I do better for next year? Sans the rules stuff, which there isn't much I can do about as 1. It isn't my dept. and 2. we are so close we couldn't change anything if we wanted too.. How is the event overall?

RD

 

[DtB]

Don't stress Dave can you get me a room(comp) and a couple of buffets?

 

[420HOA]

I think last year went well for your first race promo. As a racer I would like to see a better exit ramp, the congestion on the first pit was annoying to say the least. The pits could be a little better if they were laid out with chalk, separating the pedestrians from the main pit road would also help. Bring back the GN boats, do what ever it takes to get them in the race. Add one more enduro either at Elsinore or Havasu in March/April and make that race a 500 miler :thumbup:
Bloodshot 420

 

[Hammer]

I think last year went well for your first race promo. As a racer I would like to see a better exit ramp, the congestion on the first pit was annoying to say the least. The pits could be a little better if they were laid out with chalk, separating the pedestrians from the main pit road would also help. Bring back the GN boats, do what ever it takes to get them in the race. Add one more enduro either at Elsinore or Havasu in March/April and make that race a 500 miler :thumbup:
Bloodshot 420

I'd like a 420 hat this year.

 

[Riverbound]

I'd like a 420 hat this year.

Me too

 

[GN22]

After you run your qualifying lap , make it so you can exit at the second ramp and not have to go around the whole 12 mile course again just so you can exit at first ramp. It takes way too long to get around track especially if you are having boat issues or need to make changes and go do another qualifying lap.

 

[GETBOATS]

all in all Dave, we have no doubt it will be great!! but you asked for it.

better exit ramp would certainly move it down on the worry list, seems you spend more time than necessary even before your 10 minute starts. and clearly marked would help. teams, put your best trailer backer on it!!

qualifying day seemed short, I recall a 4 hour window 12 noon till 4 pm, think we only got a couple of hours??? the later it gets, coming south is like driving into a chrome tunnel, visibility can be poor in spots. so adhering to a early start time would help.

when the race was stopped last year, there was a lot of confusion on the entire race course, getting everyone assembled in the proper order didn't seem to happen, and not all teams in pits were held for the remainder of their 10 min. at the restart.

was there a leader board last year? I was kinda busy, so I never looked, would be nice to send a runner to check without interrupting race officials.

make it clear to patrol boats (stay off plane) unless there is an emergency.

this is a historic event with deep roots that date back to the 60's and a privilege to have the river to ourselves with no fear of any numbers of obstacles, wake board boats throwing huge rollers, floaters, jet skis and kids jumping off docks.
to share it with some of the best this sport has to offer is awesome.

I applaud Dave for his efforts, its more difficult than we know :thumbup:

 

[rivermobster]

all in all Dave, we have no doubt it will be great!! but you asked for it.

better exit ramp would certainly move it down on the worry list, seems you spend more time than necessary even before your 10 minute starts. and clearly marked would help. teams, put your best trailer backer on it!!

qualifying day seemed short, I recall a 4 hour window 12 noon till 4 pm, think we only got a couple of hours??? the later it gets, coming south is like driving into a chrome tunnel, visibility can be poor in spots. so adhering to a early start time would help.

when the race was stopped last year, there was a lot of confusion on the entire race course, getting everyone assembled in the proper order didn't seem to happen, and not all teams in pits were held for the remainder of their 10 min. at the restart.

was there a leader board last year? I was kinda busy, so I never looked, would be nice to send a runner to check without interrupting race officials.

make it clear to patrol boats (stay off plane) unless there is an emergency.

this is a historic event with deep roots that date back to the 60's and a privilege to have the river to ourselves with no fear of any numbers of obstacles, wake board boats throwing huge rollers, floaters, jet skis and kids jumping off docks.
to share it with some of the best this sport has to offer is awesome.

I applaud Dave for his efforts, its more difficult than we know :thumbup:

Great post. :thumbup:

 

[RiverDave]

Glad to hear from so many people so quick. I will talk to Scott about the out ramp situation as well as the qualifying out ramp deal.

 

[Boatracer36]

As a spectator last year, I really liked how you interviewed the teams when they broke or had problems it kept us into the race. I would like to see a little more from the announcer maybe letting us know lap times, average speed, place they are in, Info on the boat Motor, hull, etc... would be great.

Looking forward to racing this year!

 

[GETBOATS]

Dave, when can we move into our pit spot, and is it like last year, pick one?

 

[RiverDave]

I would think Friday morning would be move in time. I am planning on setting up whichever motorhome I am bringing Thursday afternoon.

 

[TEAGUE CUSTOM MARINE]

all in all Dave, we have no doubt it will be great!! but you asked for it.

better exit ramp would certainly move it down on the worry list, seems you spend more time than necessary even before your 10 minute starts. and clearly marked would help. teams, put your best trailer backer on it!!

qualifying day seemed short, I recall a 4 hour window 12 noon till 4 pm, think we only got a couple of hours??? the later it gets, coming south is like driving into a chrome tunnel, visibility can be poor in spots. so adhering to a early start time would help.

when the race was stopped last year, there was a lot of confusion on the entire race course, getting everyone assembled in the proper order didn't seem to happen, and not all teams in pits were held for the remainder of their 10 min. at the restart.

was there a leader board last year? I was kinda busy, so I never looked, would be nice to send a runner to check without interrupting race officials.

make it clear to patrol boats (stay off plane) unless there is an emergency.

this is a historic event with deep roots that date back to the 60's and a privilege to have the river to ourselves with no fear of any numbers of obstacles, wake board boats throwing huge rollers, floaters, jet skis and kids jumping off docks.
to share it with some of the best this sport has to offer is awesome.

I applaud Dave for his efforts, its more difficult than we know :thumbup:

Great post!

GN22 we should bring up the qualifying laps and course issues at the drivers meeting. Agreed.

JT

 

[GETBOATS]

Great post!

GN22 we should bring up the qualifying laps and course issues at the drivers meeting. Agreed.

JT

Hopefully been thought out by race officials beforehand and it will all sort out, if not, our full time allowed in qualifying and time of day is worth bringing up. E147

 

[530RL]

make it clear to patrol boats (stay off plane) unless there is an emergency.

As a tow boat the last three years I agree with this.

However, would really appreciate if every racer I hook up to you does not complain about how long it took to get to them off plane and would not complain about the pace of tow.

Dave deserves all the credit for putting this on. It is a great event.

 

[flying finn]

I think you did a great job last year. I agree on the the restart, if necessary, needs to be more fair. We lost a couple of spots because of it last year. P.S. Dave, I couldn't get a room at the Blue Water. Anything you can do?

Greg

 

[RiverDave]

I think you did a great job last year. I agree on the the restart, if necessary, needs to be more fair. We lost a couple of spots because of it last year. P.S. Dave, I couldn't get a room at the Blue Water. Anything you can do?

Greg

They are completely sold out. I would try other hotels in the area. Kofa, best western, JT's in the keys.. Etc

 

[Ragged Edge]

Last year was great. A couple of suggestions for this year.

Do away with the lanyard credentials for race teams, go wrist band only, they are a pain in the ass when you are trying to work on the boat.

It would be nice to have an entry list on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning so teams will know who they are racing against.

I would like to see timing for qualifying start and finish on the back straight. That way when you finish a hot lap you can go wide in the south turn and get to the ramp without completing another lap or running out of fuel.

Keep up the good work and don't go crazy. I know what it is like the week before putting on a big event.