Calcutta for next years Enduro

[chill]

Some of my best memories of the Enduro where the night before during the bidding wars of the Calcutta. How can we bring the Calcutta for next years race?

[369]

what in the hell are you talking about???

[Miss BK]

The Calcutta is a party the night before the race with lots of locals. During the party, all the entries go up for auction.....each entry is "sold' to the highest bidder.

When the race is over, if you win, whoever bid on you is also the winner! And even the 13th place boat (Lucky 13) gets a prize too, so that ensures everyone is a potential winner at the auction.

One of my most memorable moments from the Havasu races was when my friend ran into the hallway from the auction to tell me that Grandpa Seebold had just bought me in the Calcutta! I was on cloud nine. Too bad I didn't win for him.. (I was in 4th place when I crashed).

[Ron Hill]

At the Havasu Classic, 1967, I went for 47 dollars, the winner's share, as I was second overall and first twin was like $1,400....Larry Laurie had bought me, he was the PR Man for McCullough Properties... He sent me $280.00.

The "River Racers" in Oregon, I've heard, AUTOMATICALLY, pay 1-% of the winner's purse to the driver....

Larry Laurie sent me a check because he was a hell of a nice guy.

He and Dave Severson worked closely together to make the programs for Havasu...Severson started World of Outboards, Hot Boat and Power Boat magaizine in his time...

If we worked with the Blue Water Resort and Casino, maybe, they'd run an "OFFICIAL" Calcutta....

[steve sr.]

I think this is a great idea, it sounds like a lot of fun. The boat crews could even invite the high bidder to be part of there team in the pits for the race (as long as they bring the beer for afterward). Seriously I think it would be great to get the locals involved. We stayed at the Harbour Inn last year (13 miles up river) and the owners didn't even know there was a race. The people who ran the place were really nice, they even sent me clippings out of the local paper a week after the race.

[Miss BK]

Hi Steve,

That party (Havasu) was top notch. Full open bar and the locals dressed up as if they were in Vegas. Walt Yarborough with help from Ken Winkle were usually the auctioneers and they would really build up the drivers into movie stars - giving a full history just before the bidding would begin. That would get the crowds wound up.

The funniest part was when some of the favorite driver's would be standing out in the hallway and have a "secret" bidder inside doing their bidding for them...lol. You could see these guys sending hand signals to their 'bidder' through the doorway. lol

Other funny stuff were friendly "bidding wars" --- like when somone would try to buy Todd Bowden away from Fred. We all knew that was never going to happen, but some guys placed bids against Fred just for grins. LOL.

The key to a Calcutta ---- make sure it's being done so that you send half the money raised to charity.

[tthibodaux]

We had one at a race in Livingston one time. My dad bought me for a couple hundred bucks I think. Anyway, over night a storm blew in and it was very windy the next morning. Dad was at the drivers meeting trying to talk everyone into just giving the money back to keep anyone from getting hurt with the bad water conditions.

I sure was glad we did because I got tossed out in the first turn and dad HATED to lose money!

Just a little story, calcutta's are GREAT fun for the whole family!

[rossdbos]

The Bluewater is the main sponsor of the event, however the gaming compact that they have with the state of Arizone precludes them from allowing calcutta style auctions on premises. I checked into this one when I contracted with the Bluewater to be the title sponsor and host of the event back in 2005. Unfortunately it violated the terms of the compact and the resort cannot allow it. I can't take it offsite as it would be an insult to the resort as title sponsor and host to have everyone leave, drink, bet on boats, etc. so it is a no go from me. Not worth screwing up a good thing with the resort and their hands are tied by the state.
Ross Wallach, RPM RACING ENT.

[Ron Hill]

Could Blue Water Resort and Casino set up a line of betting like a horse race, through an off site betting organization? Does Blue Water have any hors race betting now?

[rossdbos]

I am not aware if they have OTB or a sports book. I will ask but I don't recall seeing so. I was at Pechanga last weekend and they are an Indian Casino and they have a sports book and OTB so maybe the State of California allows it in their gaming compact but the State of Arizona doesn't.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

RW