Freeport Long Island Race Cancelled

[mike merola]

The OPA has callcelled the Freeport race for this year

[tux974]

Unreal...WTF is up with these LI towns and villages.....
Patchouge was an awesome spot.
Smith Point was also a great beach spot.
Long Beach/Freeport had racing history.
Sad, they are truly killing the sport in this great Island we live on.

[87starflite]

Wow that sucks

[Greg G]

I don't get it. Why would a town not want something that brings in revenue?

[tux974]

In Patchouge I heard was a personal thing.
Smith Point they claimed we did not have enough parking with over 5000 spots....WTF.

[mikeylarge]

New York is the next California

[87starflite]

Ny would rather see all their small businesses go under by strangling them with taxes instead of helping to promote events that will bring people into out local towns and spending money at the small locally owned businesses. There didnt seem to be any lack of cooperation from local law enforcement or emt's last year so i doubt it was because of that.

[Fast Shafts]

This has to be frustrating for the race producer (Louie). At the meetings, the Chamber of Comerce and all the politicians were infavor of the event. But then they stipulate unrealistic demands. They promise cooperation, but it doesn't happen. Then the demands start. Things that were not an issue when planning the race, become an issue. They demand the race producer provide Fire, EMS, Police, public works, porta potties etc....and all at the producer's expense. Parks which were available to showcase the raceboats during the planning stages, become unavailable. At some point, trying to overcome the logistics become futile.
In the meantime, very little money flows down to the racers. The racers who are in town for the weekend, usually with their families, spend alot of money on hotels, restaurants, bars etc... and don't forget the thousands of people who come to the town not only on race day, but all weekend to view the raceboats in the drypits/parks.
In order for it to be beneficial for both the club and the town, both have to work together. When it becomes one sided, a race is cancelled.
I love racing in NY, but I don't blame them for cancelling.
I'm sure racers and fans are cancelling their hotel reservations for the August 22-24 weekend. I'm also sure the waitress', bartenders and shop owners who own these places will make less money this weekend.
Perhaps the town will realize their mistakes? Could another race happen next year?

[tux974]

Perhaps the town will realize their mistakes? Could another race happen next year?

Doubt that very much, hope I'm wrong.
Louie has worked his butt off getting these guys to come around even in his own home town to no avail. It all started in Patchouge with the crazy and unrealistic demands them in Smith Point by last minute saying there is not enough parking, are you kidding??? now in Long Beach. Very, very sad!
I surely applaud Louie for trying and working so hard for years now.

[transomstand]

At the meetings, the Camber of Comerce and all the politicians were infavor of the event. But then they stipulate unrealistic demands.

Just normal politics, they never really wanted it. If they deny the event outright there might be an uproar, instead they come out in favor of it, then keep adding regulations until it becomes impossible to hold the event and the promoter has to quit. It's called plausible deniability and idiot voters fall for it every day.

[Freeze Frame Video]

The OPA has callcelled the Freeport race for this year

to bad would of been a good race mike see you in port huron if you are going jeff on the move today from Michigan city,in

[vnemous]

Need to bring the Pt Pleasant or Barnegat Bay races back.

[Fast Shafts]

Point Pleasant doesn't want the race anymore.
A Barnegat Bay race may happen.
I really liked the fact that class 7 boats were to be on the Program cover!

[mike merola]

See you there jeff

[Fandango]

Very disappointing but not surprising .......why have a fun event that people want to come see.....that would make no sense.