IT2 Contingency $ for the ARRC

[JDEllis]

Originally posted by Knestis:
EDIT - Also, the sponsor who put up the funds to remove the commercial banners and pop-ups from the IT2 forums has asked that those pages promote the Human Society of the United States, rather than naming him or his company.

Is that related to George Costanza's Human Fund? ;-)

-jde



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J.D. Ellis
OVR #71 ITS Olds Calais
[email protected]

[Knestis]

Oops. This society is more Humane than Human. I obviously need to apologize to our supporters.

K

[Knestis]

RaceShopper.com has become the most recent addition to the IT2 Challenge contingency awards line-up, graciously offering the top three IT2 finishers in the ARRC ITS race certificates redeemable for Hawk, Performance Friction, or Ferodo racing brake pads. The first-place finisher will earn a $100.00 product certificate, while second and third will win $75 and $50 certificates, respectively. To qualify for this award, entrants must meet the general IT2 Challenge eligibility requirements at the bottom of this page and in addition, must display RaceShopper.com decals on both sides of their car.

For more information on brake pads, calipers, rotors, lines, fluid and other brake system parts for your racing car, contact Edwin Robinson at 1-800-733-8380 or visit the web site at www.RaceShopper.com.

This brings the total cash and product contigency package to $1795 in value - Kirk

[lateapex911]

Thanks Kirk! That human society thing had me laughing for quite awhile!

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[Knestis]

Yeah - good thing that the person who paid to upgrade the IT2 forums has a sense of humor!

K

[Greg Amy]

So, who's stepping up to the plate on this? Between the IT2 contingency and Dodge's money for Neons someone is going to be able to cover all the weekend's expenses, and probably go home with a hefty wad of coin (not to mention a brand new Isaac Device tucked away in the gear bag...thanks, Gregg!!!)

I'm there. Who else?

[gsbaker]

Originally posted by grega:
...not to mention a brand new Isaac Device tucked away in the gear bag...thanks, Gregg!!!

I'm there. Who else?

Greg,

Anytime.

Yeah, race fans. How about some more contributions!

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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC
[email protected]

[Knestis]

How about some more entries? As the Washingon Lottery ads used to say, "Some lucky dog's gotta win."

K

[gsbaker]

Originally posted by Knestis:
How about some more entries? As the Washingon Lottery ads used to say, "Some lucky dog's gotta win."

K

Kirk,

I'm surprised you are light on entries with all the goodies you have put together.

Yeah racers, let's sign up! I'm there!!

Oops. I guess my daily driver (RWD 3,800# wagon w/195hp) won't meet IT2 spec.

Rats!

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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC
[email protected]

[downingracing]

I've got to scrape some $$ together to get there, but if all goes well, I'm there! (Unless my car gets re-classed to ITA this month.)

I've got some repairs to do from the last race, but nothing major - I hope!

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Matt Downing
www.downingracing.com

[Knestis]

IMPORTANT - Please be aware that the 2003 IT2 Challenge is in no way officially associated with the American Road Race of Champions™ (the ARRC™). IT2 is not a recognized racing class at this event, the IT2 Initiative is not among the official event sponsors, and the IT2 concept is not endorsed by ARRC™ or Atlanta Region SCCA® officials, the region, or the Sports Car Club of America®.

It has been suggested that members of the racing public may have been led to believe otherwise by information posted at the IT2 site or on the various club racing bulletin board forums. If this is the case, organizers of the IT2 Initiative and the IT2 Challenge apologize and assure all interested parties that it was not our intent to mislead anyone.

It has also been suggested that the IT2 Initiative should be prohibited from distributing the contingency awards that have been generously donated by supporters of the IT2 Initiative and the IT2 Challenge. It is important for all interested parties to understand that IT2 organizers do not accept the imposition of any action attempting to restrain legal trade - in this case, the disbursement of promotional awards based on on-track performance - by any individual or group, absent state or federal statute providing for such. We fully intend to disburse any and all awards as planned.

However, we would like to publicly offer the companies and individuals who have committed to award money and products the opportunity to withdraw their support, recognizing the potential ill will that might be associated with with any misunderstanding arising from recent communications by IT2 organizers. While it was not our actions that acted as catalyst in the escalation of this situation from misunderstanding to conflict, we fully recognize and accept our responsibility to provide promotional value and good will appropriate to the high level of support demonstrated by our corporate and personal sponsors.

Finally, although the timing is unfortunate, the IT2 Initiative is very pleased to introduce Lockwood Raceworks as the title sponsor for the 2003 IT2 Challenge. Improved Touring and Legend car preparation experts since 1991 and entrants of the Precis Vodka Formula Mazda driven by Grant Lockwood, Lockwood Raceworks offers professional car preparation, used racing car sales, and a growing online catalogue of racing parts and supplies. Additional information about Lockwood Raceworks and their participation in the 2003 IT2 Challenge will be made available shortly.

American Road Race of Champions™ and ARRC™ are trademarks of the Atlanta Region SCCA® and event organizers. Any uses of these marks here or in any other communication by IT2 principals are for identification purposes only and must not be construed as suggesting any formal affiliation between the trademark owners and the IT2 Initiative Lockwood Raceworks IT2 Challenge. IT2 is not an official sponsor of this event.

[Edwin Robinson]

Originally posted by Knestis:
IMPORTANT - Please be aware that the 2003 IT2 Challenge is in no way officially associated with the American Road Race of Champions™ (the ARRC™). IT2 is not a recognized racing class at this event, the IT2 Initiative is not among the official event sponsors, and the IT2 concept is not endorsed by ARRC™ or Atlanta Region SCCA® officials, the region, or the Sports Car Club of America®.

It has been suggested that members of the racing public may have been led to believe otherwise by information posted at the IT2 site or on the various club racing bulletin board forums. If this is the case, organizers of the IT2 Initiative and the IT2 Challenge apologize and assure all interested parties that it was not our intent to mislead anyone.

It has also been suggested that the IT2 Initiative should be prohibited from distributing the contingency awards that have been generously donated by supporters of the IT2 Initiative and the IT2 Challenge. It is important for all interested parties to understand that IT2 organizers do not accept the imposition of any action attempting to restrain legal trade - in this case, the disbursement of promotional awards based on on-track performance - by any individual or group, absent state or federal statute providing for such. We fully intend to disburse any and all awards as planned.

However, we would like to publicly offer the companies and individuals who have committed to award money and products the opportunity to withdraw their support, recognizing the potential ill will that might be associated with with any misunderstanding arising from recent communications by IT2 organizers. While it was not our actions that acted as catalyst in the escalation of this situation from misunderstanding to conflict, we fully recognize and accept our responsibility to provide promotional value and good will appropriate to the high level of support demonstrated by our corporate and personal sponsors.

Finally, although the timing is unfortunate, the IT2 Initiative is very pleased to introduce Lockwood Raceworks as the title sponsor for the 2003 IT2 Challenge. Improved Touring and Legend car preparation experts since 1991 and entrants of the Precis Vodka Formula Mazda driven by Grant Lockwood, Lockwood Raceworks offers professional car preparation, used racing car sales, and a growing online catalogue of racing parts and supplies. Additional information about Lockwood Raceworks and their participation in the 2003 IT2 Challenge will be made available shortly.

American Road Race of Champions™ and ARRC™ are trademarks of the Atlanta Region SCCA® and event organizers. Any uses of these marks here or in any other communication by IT2 principals are for identification purposes only and must not be construed as suggesting any formal affiliation between the trademark owners and the IT2 Initiative Lockwood Raceworks IT2 Challenge. IT2 is not an official sponsor of this event.

We're still committed to providing our contingency support for those cars in SOME CERTAIN CLASS, at that race SOMPLACE DOWN SOUTH, SOMETIME in November. :^)

~Edwin Robinson.

[gsbaker]

Originally posted by Edwin Robinson:

We're still committed to providing our contingency support for those cars in SOME CERTAIN CLASS, at that race SOMPLACE DOWN SOUTH, SOMETIME in November. :^)

~Edwin Robinson.

Ditto.



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Gregg Baker
Isaac, LLC
[email protected]

[Knestis]

Technically, that's "SOME CERTAIN group of cars that are pointedly NOT a class, at that race SOMPLACE DOWN SOUTH, SOMETIME in November"

Part of the conflict may be rooted in the mistaken assumption that we are trying to sneak in an outlaw class, having been told that it wouldn't be recognized.

Regardless, you guys are awesome. I'm going to be updating the IT2 website in the next couple of days to bolster everyone's presence just that little bit more...

Kirk

[Bill Miller]

Wow Kirk, I guess some people are feeling somewhat threatened by the IT2 Initiative. I'd really love to know on what grounds these people wanted to prevent you from distributing contingency awards.

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MARRS #25 ITB Rabbit GTI (sold) | MARRS #25 HProd Rabbit
SCCA 279608

[oanglade]

What's a club without member driven initiatives?

[lateapex911]

It's all about money, as usual.........

kudos to the folks that are sticking by it!

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]

[planet6racing]

Hey Kirk:

Since you are so good at getting all this sponsorship, do you think you can get Kleenex to sponsor the SM race? With all the crying going on, I'm sure it would be appropriate!


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Bill
Planet 6 Racing
bill (at) planet6racing (dot) com

[Edwin Robinson]

Originally posted by Bill Miller:
Wow Kirk, I guess some people are feeling somewhat threatened by the IT2 Initiative. I'd really love to know on what grounds these people wanted to prevent you from distributing contingency awards.

Obviously, someone else wanted the contingency awards to be handled by their department- :^(

The way we see it- we'd rather have the $$$ being given go directly back to the racers.

All in all- I think the region should be thankful- since it's obviously driving more interest and entries to the race - but, then again, some of the SCCA folks don't always see things the way we do... ;^)

~ER.

[Knestis]

For what it might be worth - at least for us - it wasn't ever really about the money. We didn't have a conversation that started with, "Do we want to pony up $150?" I wasn't even on our radar screen until very late in the discussion because we were't thinking in terms of "event sponsor" - it was about supporting individual racers.

As far as the motivations of the organizers, the value that they offer official sponsors is CHEAP at $150 - promo announcements, inclusion in local TV spots, ad space in the program, and other stuff. A hell of a value that, were this 5 months ago and we were bringing Lockwood on board, we would have supported. The revenues generated by the official sponsor agreements pale in comparison to the cost of running the event so I really don't believe that it is just about the money for the ARRC folks either.

To his credit, Bob MacIsaac (Atlanta RE and ARRC chair) called me this evening and we had what I thought was a very helpful conversation. It seems that there was the perception that we were mounting a "guerilla marketing" campaign, in an attempt to reap the benefits of official event sponsorship without going through the proper channels. Bob recognizes that we see things differently, even as I admitted that some of the things we are doing "look like" event sponsor kinds of activities. In practice, it becomes a semantic argument and both Bob and I recognize the validity of the others' interpretations.

I believe that we are close to resolving the situation, with the understanding that what we are organizing is more like a hospitality activity with door prizes, as a perk for the drivers of back-of-the-pack ITS cars. Bob asked what we hoped to do and I explained that we wanted to give a group of like-minded racers the chance to get together under the Lockwood Raceworks awning, have a beverage, maybe complain about the rules a little, and give out some goodies to recognize the effort of some true underdogs.

No banners around the track, no expectation of promos on the PA, no spot in the program. No suggestion that IT2 is a real class or that Atlanta Region, the ARRC, or the club endorse the class that isn't a class. No high profile awards ceremony.

Kirk