Sturgis/Black Hills SD USRA GS Pylon Race. . .

[nesikachad]

Greetings to all.

While home on leave from Iraq I drove to Beaver Utah and met up and did some horse trading with Mr. Marty Flood. I've now got a 42% Kelly F-1 that I'm too chicken to fly. . .

Through the course of the sale the idea came up of my home town (Sturgis, SD) hosting a USRA race in the fall.

Well, I've done the preliminary homework and it looks possible.

I'll share what I know.

Sturgis municipal airport:

A one mile long black top runway scheduled to be repaved in concrete during the summer of 2009. It will also be lengthened and widened to accommodate turbine aircraft.

Sturgis airport is located about four/five miles from town. The surrounding area is about like Kansas. Very open and flat for about as far as the eye can see. Prevailing winds can vary from dead calm to 40+mph. Just depends on the weather that day. Best RC flying season is typically late summer/early fall.

The airport has several hangars and buildings that can potentially offer storage of race planes so as to avoid having to tear stuff apart each day.

The city of Sturgis has tons of RV/Camp sites as well as a couple motels. Surrounding towns also offer the same.

If you are a motorcylist then you are more than likely very familiar with the Sturgis name and the pristine riding that the Black Hills has to offer.

If your a golfer then you'll be happy to know that Spearfish and Rapid City both have numerous courses. There's also one close to Sturgis in Boulder Canyon on the way to Deadwood.

If your a drinker and a gambler then Both Sturgis and Deadwood will be more than happy to burden your liver and drain your wallet. Deadwood is a casino town that also boasts numerous hotels.

Food is everywhere and varies from rot gut McDeath burgers to the only 5 star restaraunt in the state (Jake's in DW owned by Kevin Kostner)

Making this work:

First I guess we need to find out if people are intersted. I've done the preliminary leg work with the airport and the city councel and they are all for it. The only hump is getting past the South Dakota State FAA board. It seems there's a certain member who is a tough nut to crack when it comes to using an airport for any means other than it's primary purpose. A jet ralley was tried a while back on the east side of the state and it was shot down with no explanation as to why.

I'm a tenascious _rick when I want to be so I intend to make them explain themselves if they turn this down. My angle of attack is that since we are suffering an economic crunch a small community could really benefit from the added income this is sure to bring. The estimate I was provided stated a USRA event brings in around 1/3rd of a million dollars to a community.

So, before I approach the board I'd like to have some bullets in my gun. If someone can provide me with some statistical/technical info on this stuff I'd be grateful.

1. Insurance coverage for racers. (AMA I assume)
2. Accident history that resulted in property damage.
3. History of USRA event locations (to show a precedence)


I'm betting there is a hundred things I'm missing so fee free to fill in the blanks. I'm in Iraq again now but will be returning home in March and I'll be home all summer.

Thanks and hopefully this'll work out.

Cheers,

C

[Leseirf]

Hi Chad,

I'm sure I'd make the drive. 17 hours shouldn't be too bad and that's one part of the US I've never been to. If I'm looking at the right airport on Google Earth it might work. You might get a better response to your questions on the USRA website forums however. I don't know how many of us look at this forum often.

http://www.usrainfo.org/

Later,
Mike

[Al Lewis]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Leseirf
	Hi Chad, I'm sure I'd make the drive. 17 hours shouldn't be too bad and that's one part of the US I've never been to. If I'm looking at the right airport on Google Earth it might work. You might get a better response to your questions on the USRA website forums however. I don't know how many of us look at this forum often. http://www.usrainfo.org/ Later, Mike

DO drive through the Black Hills and the Badlands and DON'T climb Bear Butte!!

[rcign]

The estimate I was provided stated a USRA event brings in around 1/3rd of a million dollars to a community.

?? Where did THAT come from ??

[race101]

When I looked at a race here in Utah I submitted a proposal to the city council quoting a $125,000 to a $250,000 est revenue, all based on 200-300 people coming. Maybe he plans on more or the costs are higher there.................................

[nesikachad]

I was in Utah when I got my Kelly from a guy who is a tech inspector for USRA. He told me the races typically bring in about 300K.

That's where the figure came from.

[race101]

Actually I said the estimate revenue is around $200K and maybe more and could bring a bunch more if the numbers are there or a bunch less if the numbers arent. thats why I said between $125,000-$250,000 and maybe more. $300,000 is very high. A real estimate is likely to be $140,000 and if golfing or go carting or other things pop up then you can add another chunk to that. These figures are based on actua;l nimbers and not inflated numbers. You can use $250,000-$300,000 but these are inflated and doable if 300 people come individually. Some of my estimates combine 3 people to a car 1 1/2 to a room at $75 a night. change that to $100 a night and multiply that X 300 and you get $30,000 a nite X 4 and you get $120,000 just in rooms. Add $38,000-$40,000 for food, $13-$15K for gas and $30-$50K for entertainment (especially if there are slots and drinks) and you can see how the math adds up to $225,000.

I would go to the city with a $150,000-$250,000 estimate. I dont remember telling you $300,000. But if the inflated numbers are used and you add 100 more people it can happen.

Hope this clears it up!!
Marty

[race101]

Oh By The Way........................

Count me in!!!!!
(4 entries)

[race101]

Get that Kelly flying.

It is set up to fly like a trainer right RCIGN?????

[lonestareracing]

I will go to SD for a race. add 1 F1 pro to your list.



Bobby

[Tired Old Man]

If you can't get the airport, what about the Buffalo Chip? Flat, and has a road that can double as a runway. You will never, ever, sway an FAA official that has their head set against something. Keep that in mind when dealing with them. DON'T piss them off!!!

AMA for the racers is a given. The time is now to visit the AMA site to get the package to qualify you as a contest director. That also puts you in the right place to find out more about site AMA coverage.

[nesikachad]

I'm quickly discovering that there is a bit to this than I really know about.

Is there a resource/person who can give me a "to do" list so that I can get the ball rolling on this? Here is my VOIP number in Iraq. It rings right to my desk. 703.673.4251 I'm 8 hours ahead of East Coast CONUS. I assume there is a full description of the course and requirements on the USRA site. If not, can someone shoot me the info?

Here is my personal Email: Chad@rushmore.com If you are serious about coming, please shoot me a note and put "Sturgis USRA Race" in the subject line. This is the easiest way I think to gauge on the level of participation.

If for some reason you cannot get a hold of me, try Brent or Clancy at Who's Hobby in Rapid City, SD.

WHO'S HOBBY HOUSE
715 Main St
Rapid City, SD 57701
Support Phone: (605)342-0875
Sales Phone: (800)883-0875

http://www.whoshobby.com/

I will post on the USRA site as well.



Cheers,

Chad

[nesikachad]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Tired Old Man
	If you can't get the airport, what about the Buffalo Chip? Flat, and has a road that can double as a runway. You will never, ever, sway an FAA official that has their head set against something. Keep that in mind when dealing with them. DON'T piss them off!!! AMA for the racers is a given. The time is now to visit the AMA site to get the package to qualify you as a contest director. That also puts you in the right place to find out more about site AMA coverage.

I haven't been out to the Chip in awhile but I'm pretty sure they don't have a road that looks like this:

13.3 General Minimum Race Course Recommendations
13.3.1 Runway - Minimum of 2000' x 60' paved runway. In order to meet all of the distance requirements associated with a giant scale air racing event, it is preferable, but not a requirement, to utilize a full size airport to hold a racing event. Full size airports typically have enough size to adequately provide sufficient safe distances to all event participants and spectators.

[NCFR "Lucky"]

Isn't there a dragstrip in Sturgis? I have not been - (going this summer for the Rally) - but in doing my research on the rally, there was some information on the drag races. That would be a GREAT runway - I just don't know what is around it and if it is clear enough for the races.

[nesikachad]

Sturgis's drag strip is 1/8th mile. I don't think you guys would want to deal with the concrete containment walls, bleachers, power lines, and trees.