Keeping the Sport Alive

[Racing Fan]

Hi everyone. Back on 7/7/05 there was a big article in the St. Pete Times/Hernando County section relative to a homeowners association complaining about Region 5-Peace River races held at Lake Henderson in Inverness, FL. The article focused mainly on one guy who is the President of the Pritchard Island Association. Keep in mind that the City of Inverness did a wonderful job planning these races and we are appreciative to them. The association president complained of noise, environmental impacts, safety and the races preventing others from enjoying the parks and lake. Of course, I had to respond--hoping not to make matters worse. Here is my article that was printed in the St. Pete Times/Hernando section:

Boat-racing circuit stresses safety, family atmosphere
Re: Community still split on Lake Henderson boat races, July 7 Times:

I would like to comment on the views of Al Grubman, president of Pritchard Island Property Owners Association, regarding the boat races recently held at Lake Henderson. I would like to challenge Mr. Grubman to follow the local racing circuit to become educated as to the safety and environmentally clean and family-oriented aspects of this wonderful sport.

It is homeowners like Mr. Grubman who eventually will run this exciting sport to nonexistence. Why not take into account that personal watercraft are often noisier and more dangerous than the boat-racing circuit? And, how well are personal watercraft enthusiasts trained on boating safety? This sport is family oriented and teaches not only all aspects of boat racing safety, but is coupled with good sportsmanship and helping others.

Instead of closing up your house and heading to the movies or the mall, come on out and watch the races. You will be amazed at the camaraderie of these fine racers. Keep the sport alive. Become educated and don't assume; try something new.


-- Cheryl Szurma, Brooksville

[wdlong1226]

Good for you!!

We are relatively new to the racing, kids starting last october, and couldn't help but notice the thing about the inverness race. We were at the race, I was one of the scorers, and my kids ran J and AXS. As I read your article, I saw that you lived in brooksville. Just a nosy comment as we live in Spring Hill. Didn't know there were many racers in our section of Florida.

We had a ball at the inverness race as it was the closest to home, and hope that we will be invited back there next year. I met one of the city council men while we were up there setting up on Friday, and he was all for the race, and as far as I know, it was just the one man who was against the race. Kudos for your response to the paper. The announcer on the judges stand was telling the people on our side of the park all about the race and that it did not affect the wildlife, etc. I am not sure who he was but he was a help to the curious.

Maria

[wdlong1226]

j dad

hey doug you missed agood time.betsy dominated in axs and j and james did real well also when are you going to race. we miss your happy face.

[Kristi Ellison]

Mr Grubman was a guest at one of the race trailers the weekend of the race and is now in full support of the races and has recanted his concerns. He was very impressed with the whole weekend and they have been invited back.
Much of this is due to the attitude of "befriend your enemies". Now that he has a better understanding of the sport and what we can bring all that mess has gone away.
We need to promote ourselves to the public and not other racers to ease the concerns of the communities we want to race in. Invite them to see what we do and get them excited and gain their support and we can build up the sport.
My 2 cents.

Kristi

[Kristi Ellison]

The announcer was Robby Galleta. Robby is right we are the only motor sport who has a positive enviornmental impact and we need to promote that. There are studies to support these claims.

[Ron Selewach]

Kristi

If you can put your hands on those studies, I would be very interested in a copy. Regarding the survival of our sport, racers not only put on a show for the local community, they also contribute to the economic well-being of the community and its merchants. A good spectator turnout multiplies that effect. Bay News 9 here in Tampa, FL did a short segment on the Inverness race and aired it that Sunday evening; I am trying to get a copy of it to use in a promotional CD to be distributed through the APBA, AOF, etc. (have not had a chance to talk with Ed Hearn or Tony Staron about this yet). The news segment was excellent because it interviewed the mayor and several restaurant and hotel owners who were just glowing about the added revenue that the race was bringing in, and the mayor pointed out that it may also introduce future residents to their fine community. That's a point that has been overlooked in previous discussions. Money always has a loud voice; we need to use that to our advantage by promoting the economic impact of a race to the local community. Also as part of this instuctional/promotional CD, if we could all do a study and keep track of the money we spend at each race, and total that amount, we could provide real economic impact information to the local newspapers and Chambers of Commerce as a race follow-up. I'd also like to suggest that we make up business card sized announcements to be given to each merchant when you spend money at a race that says something along the lines of - "This revenue brought to you courtesy of the outboard boat races here this weekend". Variations of the CD could be used to suggest ways we all could advocate for additional race sites in our own local areas, as well as mailing a version out to lake communities that could be prospects for sponsoring a race informing them of what's involved to organize a race, safety and noise issues, the economic impact of a race, and all the other benefits of our sport to their community. Paul Hooten and team have been doing a great job here in Region 5/Central Florida bringing in several new race sites this year - an example of what can be done with a little time and enthusiasm.

What do you think? Comments?
Ron Selewach 49-F

[Kristi Ellison]

Ron

Robby Galleta can help you get your hands on those studies and I think there is a plan to do another one. I used that information to get a new race site here in Raleigh. The City was thrilled to know we will help the Lake and not be polluting it. A few of us on the USTS did a little informal study and we came up with a rough determination that a USTS race can bring at least $12,000 into a community over a 3 day race weekend from the purchases of food,fuel and hotels . We think it might even be more. I agree with you that we need to market more positive benefits to the community and build more interest in the sport.

Kristi

[Racing Fan]

So glad to hear Mr. Grubman actually hung out at the races and changed his views. That is what it is all about. Ron, you made some really good points and with extra time on my hands I would like to get involved with Region 5. My two brothers race in the Midwest; my dad was Wisconsin State Champ (can't recount how many times) and this is such a wonderful sport. As a matter of fact, I'm looking to hop in and race a little myself. In the meantime, I would love to promote this sport and help out anyway I can. Any suggestions on who to contact? Thanks.

[888race]

Give me a call

Paul Hooten 863-258-8075

[DeanFHobart]

Exactly...

Exactly to what Kristi Ellison and Ron Selewach are saying.

Well promoted and better races (Like what the US Title Series does). YES.

Dean

[Racing Fan]

Kristi, how do I get a hold of Robby to get a copy of those studies? Thanks.

[Kristi Ellison]

robbyG@comcast.net

He can tell you all about the enviornmental impact and how we are the ONLY green motor sport. Very interesting stuff.

Kristi

[Racing Fan]

Kristi, how do I get in touch with you (email address?). I am working with Paul and need to pick your brain. Thanks. My email is sszurma@tampabay.rr.com
Shea

[Kristi Ellison]

Shea,
I sent you a private email.

Kristi