shrike wrote:
Warbird Kid wrote:
Im not too knowledgeable about this race, other than we almost lost Eldridge in 94. Why did they stop having the race? Was teh event based at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport?
It was at Williams Gateway - nee Williams AFB, now Phoenix-Mesa Gateway - at least in 95.
The primary sponsor was Incredible Universe, a consumer electronics big-box store that went bankrupt. My understanding, from the owner of the Sea Fury they sponsored, was they reneged on prize and sponsorship payments promised.
It wasn't just that. The first race in '94 was actually pretty successful, and was held in conjunction with a headliner concert (I want to say it was Jimmy Buffett) after the show on Saturday night. So they had 'big plans' for the 1995 show, but..... The promoter had procured the Blue Angels to perform...and the week of, the Commanding Officer stood down, so the Blues had to cancel. The 'expected crowds' never materialized because the 'headliners' were not present (or so Estrella Entertainment claimed), so gate money that was supposed to go to the racers was also far less than promised.
The group had something called the Phoenix 500 in 1996, but it was a small demo race as part of just a regular airshow. It went under shortly afterwards.
I'm not sure if anyone ultimately got paid for the '95 races. I know there was litigation for a long time. And the rumor going around was that one pilot with a notorious background ultimately got paid after Patrick Dial (the promoter) was presented with 'a deal he couldn't refuse'. As a friend of mine 'in the know' commented...."If you have the means......"
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