PDA

View Full Version : Sponsors step in to continue tradition of River Roar Boat Races



Serious News
01-15-2016, 10:40 PM
BAY CITY, MI (WNEM) -
The roar has been restored.

For the 29th year, the sound of speed boats will fill the air this summer on the Saginaw River. After many feared the Bay City River Roar would be silenced due to lack of funding.

On Wednesday, three corporate sponsors – Maier and Associates, Fabiano Brothers and Kroger – have stepped in to drop the green flag.

Chad Cunningham, with the event’s board of directors, said some expenses have been cut.

"We weren't going to be able to have the event, but due to the outreach of the community to send in donations and Maier and Associates stepping up as the key event sponsor," Cunningham said. "We've raised the fifty to sixty thousand that we needed to put the event on."

The races are set for June 25-26, as part of the U.S. Formula One powerboat tour. It will have three boat classes competing: Formula-1, Formula-2 and Formula Lights.

Maier and Associates is the title sponsor for River Roar. Founder Wayne Maier said the decision to get involved was a no-brainer.

"Puts bay city on the map. People understand when you talk about you know the river roar they know it's in this community. I think it's good for the businesses downtown," Maier said.

River Roar proceeds also go to local charities. A benefit that Maier wants to continue for a long time.

"Hopefully this is just not a one year event. It will continue to go on and we'll be able to continue this thing on for the next 10 years if possible," Maier said.

Copyright 2016 WNEM (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.


Read more: http://www.wnem.com/story/30955095/sponsors-step-in-to-continue-tradition-of-river-roar-boat-races#ixzz3xN56q0B2

Serious News
06-24-2016, 10:11 AM
Lap of silence honors fallen members of River Roar family, racing community

BAY CITY, MI – Tunnel boat racing is all about the roar.

But there's no greater moment of respect in the sport than the lap of silence.

When the 29th annual Bay City River Roar returns to Saginaw River this weekend, drivers and fans are expected to flock to the water for the thrills, chills and spills of the high-speed, high-decibel action. And they'll also be part of a silent tribute to two fallen members of the boat racing community and River Roar family.

River Roar board member Jeff Buczek and driver Chris Carrigan both died since the last running of the event, and this year's race is being held in their honor, according to director Chad Cunningham. A lap of silence is planned prior to the Sunday finals.

"It's going to be a heart-felt weekend without them," Cunningham said. "It seems like second nature that they would be here. Not having them here leaves a hole for us all.

"They both went away too soon. We certainly didn't get all the years we wanted with them. They're a huge part of the River Roar family."

Few entities have a greater grasp on the tragedies of life than the world of powerboat racing. In a social circle where there are inherent dangers at every turn, the racing community often grabs hold of each other to get through trying times.

"People all over the country become like a family in a lot of ways," said Jay Fox, the Bay City driver who won three River Roar titles in the 2000s before stepping away from tunnel hull racing. "When you've got a passion for something, it creates a bond among everybody who shares that passion. And whether you become really good friends with a person or not, it doesn't matter. You still care because there is that common bond.

"When something happens, there is an outpouring of support in this sport – and it's really worldwide."

The tunnel hull racing community has coped with on-the-course and off-the-course deaths over the years, including 2006 River Roar champ Kevin Ladd. Other tragic events left drivers such as John Jensen and Wyatt Nelson with debilitating injuries.

"Everybody understands there are risks involved with competition," Fox said. "But when something bad happens, it's very emotional for everybody."

In Buczek and Carrigan, the boating community lost a pair of figures who were vital to making the River Roar one of the biggest attractions on the APBA circuit.

Buczek, who died in October at age 56, was a part of the River Roar cause for much of the history of the race. He worked at the Bay Area YMCA as well as the Bay City Boys and Girls Club, one of primary beneficiaries of the River Roar fundraising effort. He served on the River Roar board of directors the past eight seasons.

"He brought a wealth of knowledge and a kindred community spirit to the River Roar," said Jeff Doan, the voice of the River Roar as public address announcer. "He was willing to do whatever was asked of him. A lot of people lose sight of the fact that community involvement makes the River Roar the success that it is. And Jeff was a great promoter of that.

"He was always very giving to his community. He had the world's biggest heart and a desire to help others."

Carrigan, who died in January at age 47, not only helped with the organization of the event but joined the fun as a driver in the 2012 season. He raced the past four years in the Formula Light division, where he emerged as a local fan favorite.

As Chris Carrigan steered his Formula Light boat past the grandstands, the Veterans Memorial Park crowd cheered its approval. As he slowed in front of the officials tent where the ceremonies were centered, Elaine Rico discovered why.

Carrigan stole the show at the 2014 River Roar, when he delivered an elaborate marriage proposal to Elaine Rico-Carrigan – who serves as River Roar president – while she was conducting opening ceremonies. Carrigan steered his boat onto the water, bearing a sign that popped the question.

"We told her to wave the checkered flag for yes or the black flag for no," said Doan, who was in on the plan and delivered a play-by-play over the loudspeaker. "Instead she waved the white flag for surrender. But then she grabbed the checkered flag and waved it so hard, half the checkers nearly fell off."

Doan said the River Roar tribute is a fitting moment, giving Buczek and Carrigan the honor they deserve and their boating friends the opportunity to say goodbye.

"An event like this bonds the entire River Roar family and the entire boating world," Doan said. "It's an extremely tight-knit and loving group and they all rally around each other. When something bad happens, everybody is touched by it and saddened by it. But the race can be a way of looking back at happy, positive moments that were shared with each other."

The 29th annual River Roar begins with boat testing on Friday and continues with testing and heat races Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Final heat runs and championship races are Sunday, with the Formula Light final at 1:45 p.m., the Sport F1 final at 3 p.m. and the marquee Formula One final at 4 p.m.

Admission is free on both sides of the river. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Safe Harbor food pantry.

http://www.mlive.com/sports/bay-city/index.ssf/2016/06/lap_of_silence_honors_fallen_m.html