SBR Cancelled ?

[Rain Rider 1]

There is talk on the SBR forum that the Rally in Parry Sound has been cancelled.

Anyone know if this is true.

1st off it might be an April fools joke.
2nd, if it is legit, I will still go and have a great weekend in Parry Sound. Riding and having a great time as usual.


S. Chomitz

[Rocking Couple]

If it's true, this wouldn't surprise me in the least. We can thank ridiculous new laws, (with too much onus put on the enforcers to scrutinize who should pay and who isn't a real threat) and idiots that do the wrong thing in the wrong place and at the wrong time, bringing about those laws, for contributing to this decision if it's true. We are our own worst enemy at times.

So why wouldn't the town consider back-dooring themselves of legal liabilities from here on in? Insurance is a huge issue. This way they will still get years and years of attendees bucks (the ones with the attitude that RR1 just expressed) and reap the financial gains, for free you might say. So what if there are no planned events? Cost a few numbers maybe? They'll still do just fine with piles of cash flowing into the community from attendees that have been going for years and years and many of them from long distances. They just incorporate the Rally into their vacation plans and destination.

[Toz]

OK hang on ....
Just got off the phone with the Mayors office .
It is as of this moment CALLED OFF .
Financial reasons were stated .
There is another meeting comming up in a couple of weeks .I will be drafting up a letter to the town on how the SBR can go on with little if any money from them .
They understand the history and the importance of the Rally but the funds are not there .
They would support it if it were not for the layout of funds .
The office also sounded like it wantedd the SBR to continue ,it all comes down to coin .
Can you see were im going with this .
Will let you know more after I have drafted up the letter .
Do not jump to conclusions YET .
IM ON IT!
Toz

[KZDon]

I've never been there (bike died half way), but I recognize the importance and significance of the event. We have no shortage of creative, bright, and intelligent people here. I'm prepared to put time and effort into making it happen. Anyone else? Any thoughts on who to approach on this?

UWE - CC used to have significant involvement in SBR. With the assistance of some outsiders (like me) would CC step back in to see what can be done?

[Costa Mouzouris]

This is very unfortunate, but it's unlikely we we would take on the task of organizing or financing the rally again. However we would endorse it, as we've always done.

One of the founding members of the Sport Bike Rally, Mike Moloney, used to organize it when it belonged to Turbopress, the former publisher of CC. He's now living in England. The rally was transferred (I think it was sold for a dollar) to the town of Parry Sound a few years ago by Turbopress because it had gotten too big to manage. Lawrence Hacking took on the daunting task of organizing the event post-Turbopress, and he can attest that it is indeed a challenging feat.

Turbopress had experienced a similar situation when the off-road rally in Parent, Quebec, was sold to an ATV club, which eventually had to shut it down for other, non-financial reasons. Despite it's disappearance in 1999 as an officially sanctioned event, riders still gather in the small town annually. There are no scheduled events or activities as in the past, but nothing prevents riders from attending, although they show up in smaller numbers.

Maybe we'll see you there.

Costa.

[Groovy]

Confirmed

I also called to find out, and yep... the mayor thinks the money would be better spent building another skateboard park.
:eek:

It is definately off for this year as it stands. Honda pulled thier sponsorship (likely in an effort to cut costs) and the town doesnt feel that spending around $50,000 (not sure exactly why it would cost that much if it is volounteer ran for the most part) and lose out on hundreds of thousands that this rally brings to the town.

I don't think the new law has anything to do with honestly.

[Rocking Couple]

How much of that 50 grand do you think is for liability insurance?

You don't think that with all the bad press that bikes have gotten in recent years (think Global with their camera on full zoom of a guy doing a very {rear- brake} controlled, clean, stand-up wheelie, but did it in a stupid spot at a stupid time on the 403 last spring) has anything to do with it? I beg to differ...

You think funds coming into the area on that weekend, every year for years to come, will drop like a stone overnight? Again, I beg to differ.

[Groovy]

How much of that 50 grand do you think is for liability insurance?

You don't think that with all the bad press that bikes have gotten in recent years (think Global with their camera on full zoom of a guy doing a very {rear- brake} controlled, clean, stand-up wheelie, but did it in a stupid spot at a stupid time on the 403 last spring) has anything to do with it? I beg to differ...

You think funds coming into the area on that weekend, every year for years to come, will drop like a stone overnight? Again, I beg to differ.

Opinions are like a-holes.. we all have one.

I think the town just simply does not have the money available to take full responsibility of the event with out a major sponsor. I don't think there is any need to read more into what is, then what has been said already.

Yes I do think the local businesses will see a significant drop in business this year due to this. You can try to tell them otherwise though.

[Toz]

Hello again everyone !
A little about myself ,born and raised in Windsor Ontario Canada.
Been riding since I was 16.
I am a TRIUMPH NUTTER .
Triumph Daytona 1200 Streetfighter MFP
My wife and kids also ride ,yes Trumps
Helped put together Windsors old Celtic Festival .
I have been at one point Canadas top Male model voted by the Ontario Rugby Union.
Owned, operated and set up about 5 pubs in the Windsor, Essex, Chatam
area .Throw in one B&B in Comber for good measure ,I do make a good breaky.
I have attended the SBR when we all camped at Foley I am showing my age now, oh well.
My family and I moved up to Muskoka about 5 years ago
www.the141cafe.com
The above is what I do now.I live in a town called Utterson that is located between Huntsville and Bracebridge right in the middle of all the great roads to ride up here .
There you have it in a nutshell.
I do admit my gramar is poor and my typing takes forever Its so bad my wife just cringes and goes to away hehehe.As long as I can get my point across im good with it so bear with me.

I was on the phone most of the day digging for more info on the reasons or behind the reasons reasons if that makes any sence at all .
It all boils down to money.
The Town of Parry Sound is in a position where it wants the SBR to continue but does not have funds or resorces to do so at this time .
Other projects such as the skatepark and bridges in town need to be put ahead of the rally funding .This comming right from the Mayor who I did chat with today as well as Lynn Madaugh who has been running the rally for the town .
Toilets, baracads ,seating, bleachers ,insurance were all in the cost the town whould have to foot the bill for .

I do have a meeting comming up with the Huntsville Board next week.
I was already looking for a place to bring back the Radar 1/8th and found it just outside Huntsville.
The town is very pro active on doing events that will bring more people into the town and support a wide variety of big events all summer.
My initial call to them was only about setting up the 1/8th Timed runs and haveing ParrySound and Hunntsville do it in conjuction with each other but since this happened with the SBR I will be changing my proposal a bit .
I do have some pics of the proposed area but cannot get them to load up in here .Will try again later .
Anyway thats what is happening for now on my end .I have received a wack of calls today and know that the motorcycle community will help out wether it be volunters or just moral support .
So hang on a sec let me attend the meeting and do not cancel your summer plans yet ,as it has been mentioned we can all still have a great time rally or no rally .
Cheers Toz
My number durring the day at the Cafe is
705-385-9497.If anyone needs to drop me a jingle

[metalredneck]

how's about we pick a date and do it unofficial-like, kinda the non-harley version of friday the 13th? ya can't tell me the bad-ass 1%er wannabes break any fewer laws than the sportbike crowd. someone say when, and we'll take it underground, so we don't end up feeding some multinational behemoth corporation.

or just let it die with a whimper...mr:cool:

[Paddy]

Well Toz, thanks for the curriculum vitae! Odd, but interesting.
Anyway, I've only been to the SBR once, years ago but it seems that if a movement was started to take the rally to the closest town, informally, and bypass Parry Sound, that might make the Mayor sit up and pay heed. Especially when the merchants in P.S. cry about the lost business. They would watch as thousands of bikes and rally-goers pass right through town with their cash, and spend it in Shelbyville, so-to-speak.
Not sure that's doable as I don't know the area.
Just a silly thought.:confused:

[Ivor biggin]

how's about we pick a date and do it unofficial-like, kinda the non-harley version of friday the 13th? ya can't tell me the bad-ass 1%er wannabes break any fewer laws than the sportbike crowd. someone say when, and we'll take it underground, so we don't end up feeding some multinational behemoth corporation.

or just let it die with a whimper...mr:cool:
June 13 this year. Toz tried it last year at the Cafe and two guys turned out.sory but This forum is about chat, not riding.
IB.

[KZDon]

June 13th this year, like July 13th last year, occurs on a Friday. The plan to be at Toz' cafe on that F13 was mine, and I didn't make it because my daughter was busy being born.

I don't mind at all that only a few folks show at the 141. Toz may have a different take on that for business reasons, but I consider riding anywhere away from Port Dover on F13 to be a positive thing. My first F13 run to the 141 involved snow, and it was still worth the ride for the chili.

Whaddya think Toz, will Utterson host the next SBR?

[hank]

My god Toz you are a wild man! With all the police presense and the legislation, and perhaps FE demise had a lot to do with my dession not to attend this year. I've attended the rally since Mike work at the rental place by the mall I'm guessing mid to late 80's. We just went for the riding,nuttn like it here. Met tons of great people, rode quick,sometimes more quick. The rally over the last few years has gotten to big with to many fuck heads riding arround. But keep me informed I'm listening. The last time I was up there I rode up and met Ed and rode over to elephant lake that area is great as well, then rode back home. I can still do that for a ride( small get together).

[metalredneck]

say when & where, & we'll start a new tradition. two, three, 4000 people, no matter.

get hank a spell-check/breathalyzer, and i'll find the shift key.:confused:

[Toz]

Slo, KZ 2 bikes or 4,000 Ill always do F the 13th That was one of my best rides last year with you Slo man that was a blast.
Its not the numbers but the company you keep.

Cross post comming up

Ok the kiddos are asleep and I have a few minutes before the wifey starts in on me again......

Todays meeting with the town of Huntsville went very well.

I laid out some ideas of what would be involved in doing this in town and also the history of the event
the proposed area to be used and how we can tie it into the areas other events .

I am on the agenda for a April 16 board meeting with the entire Chamber office.
I am also a memember of the PortSydney Utterson Chamber and know how these meetings go and what they are looking for .
Number 1 is support and I assured Mr Finnley that would not be an issue the way this would unfold over the July weekend .
Yes the dates would be the same .

Ounce again, it was a very positive meeting and I am looking forward to getting the official Ok so I can get the plans for the event in motion .

The venue for the event is stunning .I have some great pix but was asked to wait till the official ok comes down .

Have a good night everyone and hope we all get to ride a bit this weekend .
IM ON IT, Toz






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Toz



:eek:

[Toz]

Have you checked out the SportbikeRally face book page Hank ?
There is info on a cool Friday event that is happening no matter what happens .
:o
The Bikes, The Roads, The Party, The People, Its all Good !
Cya ,Toz

[Rocking Couple]

say when & where, & we'll start a new tradition. two, three, 4000 people, no matter.

get hank a spell-check/breathalyzer, and i'll find the shift key.:confused:

You're outta line, and misinformed with your comment.

I've ridden with Hank and his wife, family and friends. Hank is fast and smooth and is a class act that many will never achieve in their lifetime.

[Groovy]

Have you checked out the SportbikeRally face book page Hank ?
There is info on a cool Friday event that is happening no matter what happens .
:o
The Bikes, The Roads, The Party, The People, Its all Good !
Cya ,Toz

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7299173222 thats the link to the Facebook page I created a while back for the PSSBR. There are currently 117 members there, so you might bump into people there you know.

I gave ya (Toz) admin rights on the page so you can update it as you see fit.

[Groovy]

According to the local paper Honda's sponsoship last year ammounted to $12,000. I know it's not peanuts, but at the same time it isn't exactly an ammount that should make or break this event IMO.

Surely there was other means available to make that money up.

This town is all about newlyweds and nearlydeads and it seems intent on keeping it that way.

RIP PSSBR

[Rocking Couple]

partial quote




Todays meeting with the town of Huntsville went very well.

I laid out some ideas of what would be involved in doing this in town and also the history of the event
the proposed area to be used and how we can tie it into the areas other events .

I am on the agenda for a April 16 board meeting with the entire Chamber office.
I am also a memember of the PortSydney Utterson Chamber and know how these meetings go and what they are looking for .
Number 1 is support and I assured Mr Finnley that would not be an issue the way this would unfold over the July weekend .
Yes the dates would be the same .

Ounce again, it was a very positive meeting and I am looking forward to getting the official Ok so I can get the plans for the event in motion .

The venue for the event is stunning .I have some great pix but was asked to wait till the official ok comes down .

Have a good night everyone and hope we all get to ride a bit this weekend .
IM ON IT, Toz






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Toz



:eek:

Well Toz, good to know our Rally has you as our deus ex machina.
"I'm on it" does inspire confidence. Personally though, I think a smaller Rally would be a good thing if the numbers fall off.

I find it interesting that it took news of the Rally's demise, to bring Mike Moloney outta the wood-work and start posting.

[Rocking Couple]

Where did I read recently that a moto-mag had a relatively new issue that reported that the Rally was still cancelled? Was it Inside Motorcycles? But as it turned out it was old, and quickly became inaccurate, news, (cuz we know now that it is still on) but couldn't stop it cuz had already gone to press. Just goes to show you how damaging it is for the ToPS to have released news such as that so late in the start of the season. They HAD to know what their intentions were going to be last fall I'll bet. I believe they had wanted to disassociate themselves from the Rally from a liability aspect. But who knows for sure?