Michigan Int'l Speedway:Aug 13-14

[sfisch]

Got an email from organizer Ron Cates that there is not much response from teams entering the contest and that it is in jeopardy of being canceled. This is an excellent venue with the biggest payout ($30,000.00) of any contest in Michigan. Anyone who may be thinking about entering, please contact the event organizer's and let them know.
The organizers have extended the registration until this Friday.

Thanks
Scott

[Scottie]

All I want to know is.. Where are all the folks that were so vocal last spring about how great big money is for BBQ? Ronnie Cates is putting this big money contests on and he isn't getting any support from these folks? what gives?

[Ford]

I'm registered and know a bunch of MI teams that have said they are registered. Where's all the teams chasing the SOTW bonus money?

Bet we have more signed up than for Daytona.

[Bbq Bubba]

My understanding is theres more Mi. teams signed up than SOTW teams? I thought this would be a huge draw considering the payouts and the bonus money involved.

[QueTPiesBBQ]

sidelined myself, probably wouldn't have driven that far for a contest. And the entry fees are what is keeping most people out of the contests from what I hear around here. Most people that I know are not sponsored and can take a $250 entry fee, but when it gets up to $450 or $500 it scares a lot of people away. Just my two cents.

[Sledneck]

Originally Posted by Scottie

All I want to know is.. Where are all the folks that were so vocal last spring about how great big money is for BBQ? Ronnie Cates is putting this big money contests on and he isn't getting any support from these folks? what gives?

Tell Ron Cates to stop snubbing the northeast and bring us a contest, we will fill it.

Let me edit cause i just looked at the entry form for michigan. We will fill it if the entry fee wasnt so high. Chit i can guarantee big prize money if i were charging $480 for an entry fee. A bit steep for a lot of pockets in this economy.

[BruceB]

How's that hope and change working out for everyone?

[bbqbull]

Originally Posted by BruceB

How's that hope and change working out for everyone?

Just peachy Bruce!

[Ford]

There are only 9 Michigan teams signed up. I think know most of them. What's with the GLBBQA and not getting any teams out? I didn't get a recent mailing to support this after all the big to do about the MI bonus money.

From what I hear (RC) they have more non MI teams but not a lot more.

A final decision will be made by Friday midnight. Wonder what else we can add to the schedule if this one drops off.

[getyourrubonbbq]

I think the fees have a lot to do with it. I was going to do the SOTW comps around me, but once I saw $350-400+ entry fees and two comps didn't even provide power I quickly changed my mind.

[sfisch]

Ford,
Think you better check your numbers, the majority of the Michigan teams signed up are GLBBQA members. The event has been addressed and info passed along to members on the forum since it was first announced. Take a look at the association home page and events calendar, oh thats right, I forgot, you don't go to the association website, you just paid your $35.00 to get a shot at the special contest money for GLBBQA members.
Ronnie is working hard to still make this happen, no organization can force people to pay money to enter and participate in an event.
Perhaps veteran, well known, successful competitors such as yourself could lend your approval to events that would lead others to want to participate and make contests more successful for all to enjoy.

Scott

[Ron_L]

The entry fee had us thinking twice. We finally decided to go for it and then I found out that I had to be in California for the week before the competition and would be home in time to get there. So we're out.

As far as the entry fee, Ronnie points out that the $450 includes two tickets to the race values at $150 ($75 each). That makes the real entry fee $300, which isn't the far out of line. BUT... if we were competing we wouldn't be able to stay for the race, so what do i do with two tickets? It would be nice is buying race tickets were optional. I think they would have more teams signed up if the entree fee were $300, and if you want to see the race then add $150.

[Spydermike72]

Ford,

I guess I need to clear some things up here... An e-mail was sent on May 24th to all active members of the GLBBQA it was sent to 70 members and opened by 63. If you joined the GLBBQA after that there was not another e-mail sent. For that I apologize...

We also have a write up on the home page of the GLBBQA website (which gets over 1600 hits per month) on the event with rules and links to registration site. We also posted this on our Facebook Account (which has over 560 fans), at least 3 times including as recently as today...
We also posted the event and extra money on several BBQ Forums including this one...

Of the 20 teams that are signed up right now, 12 of them are GLBBQA teams. I think that is pretty good penetration... There are 8 Michigan teams signed up right now. I think we have promoted it about as much as we can with out calling every member of the GLBBQA...
Can you think of any other way we could have done more ?? Keeping in mind that the Association is run by volunteers ?

Originally Posted by Ford

There are only 9 Michigan teams signed up. I think know most of them. What's with the GLBBQA and not getting any teams out? I didn't get a recent mailing to support this after all the big to do about the MI bonus money.

From what I hear (RC) they have more non MI teams but not a lot more.

A final decision will be made by Friday midnight. Wonder what else we can add to the schedule if this one drops off.

[Ford]

Originally Posted by sfisch

Ford,
Think you better check your numbers, the majority of the Michigan teams signed up are GLBBQA members. The event has been addressed and info passed along to members on the forum since it was first announced. Take a look at the association home page and events calendar, oh thats right, I forgot, you don't go to the association website, you just paid your $35.00 to get a shot at the special contest money for GLBBQA members.
Ronnie is working hard to still make this happen, no organization can force people to pay money to enter and participate in an event.
Perhaps veteran, well known, successful competitors such as yourself could lend your approval to events that would lead others to want to participate and make contests more successful for all to enjoy.

Scott

Scott- better start reading the GLBBQA Forums. You'll find I'm posting there. Also visit the site on a weekly basis. My suggestion is a final reminder trying to encourage members to support the event. And a majority of 9 is still not many teams from MI. Got that number directly from Ron this afternoon.


Guess if you'd made it to GR you'd know that I was talking to people about MIS and encouraging teams to sign up. As a regular member I don't have access to the GLBBQA membership email list so it's tough for me to market events other than when I see people at contests.

Steve - just one final email. It's summer and people don't get on the Forums every day but they usually check their email. And I wasn't complaining about not getting emails. I did get some mailings on the GLBBQA affiliation but can't remember if it was from you or Ron. Guess it was Ron. I figure with less than 50 teams it's not a qualifier so I'm only going for the cash now. That's disappointing but life. If they cancel I will find another one to do.

[ique]

Originally Posted by Sledneck

Tell Ron Cates to stop snubbing the northeast and bring us a contest, we will fill it.

Let me edit cause i just looked at the entry form for michigan. We will fill it if the entry fee wasnt so high. Chit i can guarantee big prize money if i were charging $480 for an entry fee. A bit steep for a lot of pockets in this economy.

One of the CT casinos would be a perfect venue for a big $ Northeast bbq comp