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St. Louis Grand Prix boat race ends over lack of sponsorship
By Ken Roberts
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/02/2009
The St. Louis Grand Prix boat race has been canceled after organizers could not find sponsorship money for this year's event.
The race had been held annually since 1972 — at George Winter Park in Fenton from 1972 to 1999 and at Creve Coeur Lake Park since 2000. It had been organized by the Concord Village Lions Club and was scheduled for Aug. 1-2.
"We're sad as hell about it after 37 years," said race co-chairman and former world champion boat racer Bill Seebold. "It's just a shame. The Lions Club is very disappointed that we can't have it. I don't want the club to go into an endeavor where we lose money."
Seebold and co-chairman Bill Mueller had been trying since mid-November to find money after Anheuser-Busch/InBev pulled out as a title sponsor of the event. Anheuser-Busch also pulled its sponsorship of Seebold Racing in mid-November after 27 years.
Earlier this year, Mercury Marine Outboard motors, which also had given money for the event, dropped out and Schnucks, which sold tickets for the race, told organizers the stores wouldn't sell them this year.
As recently as two weeks ago, Seebold and Mueller thought they had a good lead on a local sponsor. But the two were notified that group couldn't help.
Seebold said profits from the race over the years — about $2.5 million to $3 million — have been given to various charities in the community. The last two years that amount has decreased to about $60,000.
Mueller said the Lions Club will have a board meeting Thursday to decide whether to try holding the race next year.
"We're trying to stay positive," he said. "The good thing is we've met with a lot of local companies and we know what it takes."
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/02/2009
The St. Louis Grand Prix boat race has been canceled after organizers could not find sponsorship money for this year's event.
The race had been held annually since 1972 — at George Winter Park in Fenton from 1972 to 1999 and at Creve Coeur Lake Park since 2000. It had been organized by the Concord Village Lions Club and was scheduled for Aug. 1-2.
"We're sad as hell about it after 37 years," said race co-chairman and former world champion boat racer Bill Seebold. "It's just a shame. The Lions Club is very disappointed that we can't have it. I don't want the club to go into an endeavor where we lose money."
Seebold and co-chairman Bill Mueller had been trying since mid-November to find money after Anheuser-Busch/InBev pulled out as a title sponsor of the event. Anheuser-Busch also pulled its sponsorship of Seebold Racing in mid-November after 27 years.
Earlier this year, Mercury Marine Outboard motors, which also had given money for the event, dropped out and Schnucks, which sold tickets for the race, told organizers the stores wouldn't sell them this year.
As recently as two weeks ago, Seebold and Mueller thought they had a good lead on a local sponsor. But the two were notified that group couldn't help.
Seebold said profits from the race over the years — about $2.5 million to $3 million — have been given to various charities in the community. The last two years that amount has decreased to about $60,000.
Mueller said the Lions Club will have a board meeting Thursday to decide whether to try holding the race next year.
"We're trying to stay positive," he said. "The good thing is we've met with a lot of local companies and we know what it takes."
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