|
CHRYSLER JEEP SUPERSTORES APBA GOLD CUP
*** FIRST UP - VOLUNTEER MEETING ANNOUNCED FOR THIS TUESDAY!!!
ATTENTION! - THE CITY OF DETROIT WILL HOST OUR VOLUNTEER MEETING
ON AUGUST 5TH IN COBO HALL. JOIN US AT 6:30PM IN THE RIVERFRONT
BALLROOM (W151).
*** A LETTER FROM THE DRRA PRESIDENT, TOM D'EATH
DATE: July 31, 2003
I am writing to give you a status report on the planning for the
2003 Gold Cup, now confirmed for August 22-24, 2003 in Detroit.
A lot has happened in the few weeks since I agreed to act as
promoter for the event. In that time I've heard all kinds of
rumors about what is and isn't happening, so I thought it best
that you hear directly from me what's going on. Here are some
of our major milestones to date:
* We've formed a Michigan not-for-profit corporation called the
Detroit River Regatta Association (DRRA). We are applying for
501 (c) 3 status with the IRS and have no reason to believe our
request would be denied. We're setting up our bylaws and
directors to manage the organization with an entirely new all-
volunteer team of board members. DRRA will be a membership-
based organization whose mission is to educate the public and
to promote the history and sport of powerboat racing and to
preserve the local history and culture of powerboat racing.
* Attention All Volunteers - The City of Detroit will host our
Volunteers Meeting on August 5th in Cobo Hall. Join us at
6:30PM in the Riverfront Ballroom (W151)!
* We've scheduled a three-day event beginning Friday, August 22.
There are no activities confirmed for Thursday. The program
will include the Gold Cup race, vintage fly-bys, a sweepstakes/
free-for-all race for any racing hulls between 17 and 27 feet,
jersey speed skiffs and extreme water sports exhibitions.
* We've negotiated with Chrysler to come on board as title
sponsor. Budweiser has secured a secondary sponsorship position.
* We've worked hard to trim all non-critical expenses from our
budget. Our short-term goal is to achieve financial "break
even" on a bare-bones event for 2003. To that end, we will
consolidate all race operations to the Horace Dodge Pit Area,
foregoing any activities on Belle Isle. Removing the Pit
Bleachers near the Roostertail Restaurant will provide the space
we need to operate all activities from the single Dodge Pit
location.
* We have agreed to pay Hydro-prop the full amount for a Gold
Cup race and are budgeting responsibly to assure that the race
teams are not asked to sacrifice their funding to make the event
possible. We have not yet secured sufficient revenues to pay
for all budgeted costs, but we continue our efforts to raise the
necessary funds. With the short notice, it's difficult to
convince new sponsors to come on board for 2003 so we are
looking to a closer group of friends, fans and long-time
supporters of the sport to help us meet our financial goals.
* We've reduced general admission ticket prices by 50% to
encourage attendance. Because of the change in date and the
lack of advance notice for ticket sales, we are budgeting for
attendance of a third or less as compared to prior years.
Ticket Master is now selling tickets for the event
(www.ticketmaster.com).
* Prices for reserved seats are the same or reduced from what
they were in 2002. We are focusing our sales efforts on
corporations and groups that purchased blocks of seats in the
past. Call us at 586.774.APBA / 586.774.2722 to purchase
last year's seats.
* The official program will be produced under a special
arrangement that provides advertising sales support and
satisfies all of our printing needs for the event.
Many friends and fans have asked me if they can help make the
Gold Cup a success. My answer is an emphatic "Yes!" We need
help getting volunteers organized under an entirely new
structure. Fiscal responsibility and safety of the event are
our top priorities. We also need everybody's cooperation and
support in our fundraising efforts. If you want the 2003 Gold
Cup to be a success, please become a member of the Detroit
River Regatta Association.
I'm hoping to be able to keep you informed about our progress
over the next few weeks with regular messages like this one.
Best Regards,
Thomas D'Eath
*** ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
You have received this newsletter because you are a current
subscriber to the Signal Flag Online newsletter which may now be
retired. Since this newsletter is for the same purpose, direct
news from the Gold Cup organizers, I expect that you wish to
remain on the list. Your email address has not been distributed
and remains safe with me. There is no need to reply if you wish
to continue to receive newsletters.
Those that wish to subscribe or unsubscribe may send directly
to me via this
address.
If anyone has a good idea for a name for this newsletter, let me
know. A name that's 13 characters or less would be best, but if
it's really good, up to 18 may be OK. There could be a Gold Cup
souvenir in it for you!
- Brian Reed
|
All contents Copyright © 2003 Detroit River Regatta Association, except where noted.
|