I recieved a call from Hydroman this afternoon asking me if there was anything I could do as a "local" to solve this problem. I realized several months ago there were some problems between CF and the Lions (remember CF is wearing two hats in Chow he is the owner of the sanctioning body and the promoter, which might be doable if he lived next door). The Lions like any social club have membership changes and interest changes. For many years I have been vocal about the benifiits to the community, something that is difficult for Lions club members to understand as to my knowledge none of them own a business that is directly affected by the race. I have owned a business and here is the actual numbers this is from memory but the books are in my shop is there is doubt my Mini Mart Store sales  in june would average 800 thur 1100 fri 900 sat 800 sun on race weekend I have had very often three times and some four times  income in the same period back then we are at 31% average mark up in the store, the race is a BIG deal to every service business in town. There is another side to the coin the Lions are the hardest working bunch of "will work for food and beer" guys you have ever seen. The city manager can almost mention a project that she would like done and zap the concrete is in the toilets flush you name it it is done. Sooooo when you run into city halll and bad mouth the Lions you have opened mouth and inserted foot. As many of you know in 1998 the Lions said they had too many events on thier schedule and canceled the drag boat races. I have know Whiskey River since the early 70"s when we both raced MX so he asked me if I could help get the stalled event back on track. Which I did and IQ continued to promote the event untill there was just no respect left on either side. I'm too old, the kids are to busy, we are involved in two race cars, my flat bottom is ready for the motor, to take a run at this event again. I have made some calls and it appears there is not just one problem. Now what can YOU do to bring a race to what I feel is one of the safest tracks you race on. Number one there is a group that benifits, motels, resturants, mini marts, bars, bars (oh I said bars twice guess I like bars) That may friends is your targets, this is not a big town if someone would take a moment to post the ph numbers of all the  business's (5 resturants, 3 bars, 3 motels, 4 mini marts) , the city hall, and the chamber office and everyone start calling I think this will get moving. Good Luck the family misses drag boat racing and will help in any way we can. Howard