Kankakee OPC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Never again!!!!!

[spn#43]

After $900.00 in car fuel, $200.00 in race fuel, $150.00 race entry fee, $400.00 hotel bill, five day out of work, finally got my prize money check after only 1 month of delay in amount of whopping “$105.00” !!!! For Mod-U class!!!!!
$1650.00 – 105.00 = -1545.00 ???? HELLOOOOOOOOO anybody home ??????

On the other part of disappointment, my brother had all the same expenses as above with only difference his race entry fee was $400.00 and he was promised by “Joe Walz” (local promoter or what ever) $500.00 for local sponsorship which he never received and worst of all they kept part of his Champ Boat check for reasons unknown to us.
By the way local sponsor was “Pepsi of Americas” that was presented in two premier classes over period of four days for FREE!!!!!!
This letter is just a warning for other drivers and teams that may consider going to race at
Kankakee OPC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, no meter what they promise to you or promote don’t believe and don’t waste your time or money, it ain’t worth it.


SPN- Motorsports

[B VALACHOVIC]

I dbout very much that everyone will stay away from the National Championships no matter where they are. That wont happen. What should happen is that the contestents get together and resolve this with the promoters A.P.B.A. U.I.M.(thats what mod U is) and Indeed any misuse of funds or prize money was done ,have the governing body with the contestents resolve this. One contestant alone will notbe able to do this, it will have to be a group. If in fact they kept your Champ boat Check and no one knows why start there .

[MN1]

I was only able to attend as a spectator this year because of health reasons.
I don't know how prize money is awarded when there are two race clubs putting on the race. Maybe your brother will recieve a check from the Champ Boat series? I would think that you should contact someone from the Great Lakes Boat Club about your prize money for Mod U and the sponsorship money.
I always thought Kankakee paid out pretty good prize money. If a driver did well, he could pay for costs or make some money.
If you need any phone numbers I'll be glad to help.
Mark Nelson
Kankakee, IL

[john miffco]

i went to the kankakee nationals also,,,,,,

the 1,500 spent for the weekend is about the average money
that every one had to pay out for the event

which is what we spend to travel to any race event across the country...
we race because we love the sport

in motor racing only a select few classes make money
unlimited hydros,nascar,top fuel drags ect.

all the rest have to pay our own way ,,,,,boats,cars,cycles,ect
it would be nice for us all to make money at the sport we love,,,
there are a lot of people trying to make it more profiable
but it hasnt happened yet in the last 50yrs

sorry to hear about the sponsor,,,,you need to contact some one about that
fred miller and the great lakes boat club do not pay out checks for sponsors

i destroyed my powerhead in a heat race
had to put on a motor that would not pull rpm for the long straights
fell down to 8th
and still had a great time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
the weekend cost me more than expected and i dont have deep pockets

the 2005 kankakee nationals was a great event
the weather was perfect
minimun accidents for all the classes that was run
to see bud nolan take 1st in 45's
tabara come from down on the dock to take 1st in formula 150
chris fairchild in F1 was amazing to watch drive away from the pack
and all the other classes to watch

i believe fred ,glbc and champboat put on a great event this yr
and i hope kankakee renews the contract for 2006
john

[spn#43]

we race because we love the sport

Great.......that's why today boat racing is where it is.

sorry to hear about the sponsor,,,,you need to contact some one about that
fred miller and the great lakes boat club do not pay out checks for sponsors

Not true, all payouts and sponsorships were handled by Great Lakes Boat Club.
If it was handled by Champ Boat Series people there wouldn’t be a problem I’m sure.

[john miffco]

yes you are right on both replys

1) we race besause we love the sport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and that is why boat racing is where it is today.

i wish it could make a profit,,,,,
i need it to make a profit,,,,,,,,,so i can keep on racing

as i said there are a lot of people trying to make it more profitable

all of the series are banging their heads trying to get more sponsors
and new teams to fill classes
the officials are working hard with no pay for the weekend
all teams are spending money out of their pocket to race
i make parts and new tri hulls at or below cost to get more
people involved and able to afford racing a tad more
our region events are at a loss every time with no prize money
for the teams
this wesite is here for the racers doing all they can to save the sport
at no charge

i thank each and every one for all that they do

if every one that loss money to go to a race,,,quit
would there be boat racing today????????

2) since glbc handled the sponsor money pays
then please contact them to fet it

im sorry you didnt make at profit at kankakee
and wont go back,,,,,,,,,
thats your choice and i respect it.

but please understand we have to attend events to keep them.
and all work to save our sport

[mercguy]

yes you are right on both replys

1) we race besause we love the sport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and that is why boat racing is where it is today.

i wish it could make a profit,,,,,
i need it to make a profit,,,,,,,,,so i can keep on racing

as i said there are a lot of people trying to make it more profitable

all of the series are banging their heads trying to get more sponsors
and new teams to fill classes
the officials are working hard with no pay for the weekend
all teams are spending money out of their pocket to race
i make parts and new tri hulls at or below cost to get more
people involved and able to afford racing a tad more
our region events are at a loss every time with no prize money
for the teams
this wesite is here for the racers doing all they can to save the sport
at no charge

i thank each and every one for all that they do

if every one that loss money to go to a race,,,quit
would there be boat racing today????????

2) since glbc handled the sponsor money pays
then please contact them to fet it

im sorry you didnt make at profit at kankakee
and wont go back,,,,,,,,,
thats your choice and i respect it.



but please understand we have to attend events to keep them.
and all work to save our sport

I could not have said that any beteer!!!!!! Boo hoo, it costs money to race....

[B VALACHOVIC]

You know When you have a competitive peice of equipment that you travel all over the country with + a team no matter what it is it takes a lot. Sometimes you have to AIR OUT so AIR OUT SPN MOTORSPORTS Thats why these are forums, hopefully everyone is friends here. Bob

[spn#43]

I’m not talking about making any money at the races, I’m talking about NOT getting what belongs to me (or my brother) check in full amount, giving free advertisements to someone, and taking full MONTH to issue a short check!
And on another issue, yes we are talking about OPC “NATIONALS” and NOT some small local club race. If they are not able to pay a professional promoter to find sponsors to cover the race cost and prizes then they should give it to someone who can!
I support my local club racing and I don’t expect anything in return, as a meter matter of fact when Jeff Grigg used to put on the LOCAL CLUB races in S. Carolina we received bigger checks than what we got at “THE NATIONALS”
I don’t know how is it now in Europe but I remember back in the day when we started racing back in EASTERN Europe, Yugoslavia; Hungary; Poland; Czechoslovakia; Bulgaria all expenses were paid for driver and two crew guys including traveling money, race fuel, hotels with free breakfast and diner and during the day at race for lunch they would make sandwiches or something like that, plus prizes.
On the end of the racing season we would get big enough check as a prize to buy a new Konig and a Boat! But again that was then and I don’t know how is now.
The problem here is that too many people think of boat racing as a Hobby and because of that we should race for free, but Car racing people have different state of mind and that’s why they are where they are and we are where we are – NOWHERE!
BTW; I will continue to race for free at the local regional races but nowhere else.
With Champ Boat Series we are not making any money but at lest we get something in return and they don’t screw you on local sponsorships.
PS: All this reminds me too much on San Diego discussion that we had here some time ago.

[spn#43]

I could not have said that any beteer!!!!!! Boo hoo, it costs money to race....

Anything I say on remark like that it would be ugly, so I just won’t say a thing.