It’s a great idea and all but it's the promoters’ responsibility to provide the personnel for there venue right???

Before monies charged/raised for ramp personnel how about getting the proper rescue personnel and equipment to the races first!

An easy solution for experienced ramp/jet ski personnel would be if each team brings an allocated member to each venue to do these tasks.

I am sure people like Bruce would make the races if these expenses were covered. Kind of like the Texas Tow Team, all they requested was help with the cost.

I agree with your point Buzz, at most venues the promoter does well with recruiting volunteers to help out and yes the racers should help out since it is to their benefits to have the volunteers but were does the line get drawn for the racers.

Talking about nickel and dime here and there for the racers.

Before you know it, it will be the racers expense to pay the sanctioning fees.

If a fee is paid in advance by the racers, let’s say $10 per race they attend and there is 10 races that’s $100 at the racers expense. Multiply that by 100 racers we know have $10,000; let’s say the Spring Opener has 4 volunteers and the next race has 10 then next has 20 and so on. Who distributes the $10 G’s and how is divided?

Let me clarify something....... The SLDBA Passes the hat at each race for a donation to the ramp workers.  ie...Boy scotts, Girl Scotts, Soccer teams, and so on. This donation is why they do it. Sorry not everyone is into the sport for the love. The donation is matched by the SLDBA to meet a minimum amount of $300 for each ramp (in and out) If more is collected then they are split evenly by both. The amout in question would be split evenly between each race. To use Duanes numbers 9 races @ $10,000 would be $1,111 for each race. that would be $555.55 for each ramp. Not all that much for busting your ass for 12 hrs a day for 2 days. Normally we have 5-8 people at each ramp. that would only be $92.00 per person for the weekend. This for someone who has NO VESTED INTEREST IN DRAG BOAT RACING.

I think that Rescue is a nessisary cost of doing business in the sport and should be compensated. Ramp workers are a luxury.

Now you gone a done it Buzz... new famous qoute to go with the others!!!

"Ramp workers are a luxury" kind goes with "Bracket racers are ramp clutter"!!! lol

Oh how so true! Keeping volunteers to continue to volunteer is tough, it may be that just a team t-shirt is not enough but with that in mind, how about every team donate a  t- shirt at registration for the volunteers???

Post Edited (RSQBUZZ) : 8/22/2005 11:47:12 AM GMT

Now, now Buzz.  Don't get touchy.  I was just kidding.  I don't have any problem if you want to pass the hat for the ramp volunteers who are representing some organized group. Not all venues have these type arrangemnets.  For instance, the Gadsden crews were on the city payroll all 3 days.  The city helped promote the race and scheduled their workers.  In Augusta, these guys are in it for the love of the sport.  They string all hold ropes as well as lower and raise the start rope each day.  These are the kind of folks that would be greatly satisfied with a t-shirt.  Most of em go buy one anyway.  The only concern I have about giving the donations is that it would then be expected, you know.  When that happens I think it loses the spirit.

Just my 2 cents