Mike Ripley

*Critical UPDATE
*

Hello,

I thought it would be good to get as much of a head start as possible. I
posted this to the OBRA list at midnight last night

The Facts

Cash Sponsorship in this economy is poor to non existent

Willamette Cost 20,500 just to break even and after getting 211 riders in
2008 in 40 degree weather and losing 3 grand we were OK with that. Sal and I
thought with proper planning and a kick ass course, we should get at least
that and maybe more......2 or 3 nice RR courses and a anything is possible
TT and the weather will be 20 degree's warmer, probably still a bit of rain.

Current. We have 11,100 dollars at the moment from registrations....midnight
Sunday and need 80 more entries to make this race happen by Tuesday at noon
between all the categories

*The reality*

*By Tuesday at noon* I will officially say the race is on and we have the 80
riders needed to break even....and keep this event going*....YEA!
On the other hand if we do not get the 80 riders* to either register ( no
service fee's online at sportsbaseonline) or e-mail me and say I am coming
and here is my rider info and I will pay at sign in then I will have to *
cancel* the race in time to let riders alter plans and hotels and cancel
flaggers to porta poties, and all other race related stuff and give everyone
a full refund.

*We even considered changing the race itself to start on the Coburg RR on
Friday and do Alsea falls and Corvallis with limited fields (3) but would
need another 60 in the Pro, 1,2 men and Cat 3's and Pro 1,2,3 women and
masters 1,2,3 women and the Masters 35+ 2,3,4 and 50+ and 60+ combined to
make 3 fields and do the race that way and save the race and each person who
paid for all 4 days would get a refund for having the race cut to 3 days.
This is not too many riders actually if you break it down as 3 fields and 7
groups of riders. We would even not be doing King Estate which is a monster
and doing the less grade but sprint happy Coburg RR for all fields mentioned
above. If you are in these categories you still have a chance to make
Willamette happen. If you are not in these fields we need 30 more with the
60 to get the 80 and have a race for all of you.*

Many have signed up and yes it will disappoint riders coming from Canada,
San Fransisco, and other parts of California, and to those locals who this
is their back yard and your back yard in Oregon and the Willamette Valley,
this may be it for Willamette. Please check this site at noon to see if the
race is on or canceled.
*Bottom line*

I respect your decision on whatever you decide, and want you to achieve all
that cycling can for you. We have many opportunities with OBRA, and yes
there will be other times to race as I will be holding other events and Sal
will also.
It is a sign of the times and budgets, so no matter what, no hard feelings,
register now and if you do not Sal and I will have some time to
relax.....would you really want that?

Thanks and I will update soon.......

PS
We did consider not having any flaggers and only support/medics/Wheels, no
lead, follow the rules of the road and call it the Road Warrior.....thats
best for another time

Mike and Sal