I suggested to TJ that we should seek outside professional help in both promoting the race (and possibly more) and in fundraising. With that said, I have no ideas as to how we should start.
But we obviously are too inexperienced to do this on our own, and i’m NOT A COLD CALL SALESPERSON. I am happy to do my part but fundraising isnt my gig.
Thanks, Kelly Thompson (handshake to tj)

Hey All!

Mitch Johnson here!!! (Hello Dwight & Barbara!!!) Yes, Deborah & I have returned to our senses & HOME to Wasilla! It’s sure good to be back!
It’s not so good to see the state of affairs the economy has put the R.G.P. and the club as a whole, in. I have some thoughts on the subject but being “new” to this site & format, I’m not sure I’m navigating it properly or posting in the right area. It looks like there’s A LOT of work to be done & it’s time to “roll up our sleaves” and get to it!!!
At any rate, I want to take this oppertunity to thank Amanda for “getting me up & running” here.
Anyone interested in contacting us can reach us @

suntansourdough@mtaonline.net

and anyone who can help me learn this format to post “threads” & comments would sure be appreciated. Thank you again Amanda and thanks to all of you for having us back!!!

Sincerely,
Mitch & Deb Johnson

SILENCE of the LAMBS!

HELLO!!!

Mitch Johnson here again! I haven’t heard back from a single person wanting to pick my brain regarding the Fur Rondy Grand Prix?!.

I know I’m not a current member of the A.S.C.C. and I’ve been gone for 5 years. I don’t mean to be rude but, does this board get used/viewed??? Part of the problem may be near total apathy! I hope that anyone screening these posts (Admins.) will post this in a prominent place. For God’s sake people, don’t just shuffle off like lambs to slaughter!

OK, that being said, I don’t know how much the local governments have changed in the last five years we’ve been away, but…….. First & foremost, the cancellation is far more political than economic . The FRGP actually MAKES the city money! It’s the only fact that has saved the race time & again, for many years. In contrast, the dog sled race
( yes, that IS the correct wording. “You don’t put the cart before the horse, don’t put the sled before the dog!” “George Atla – 1969″ ) looses the city money due to the huge course and cost involved but you won’t see that going away any time soon. Nuff said.

Has anyone looked into the possibility of moving the FRGP to the Palmer or Wasilla area? How about the possibility of turning it into an ice race, like the North American Ice Racing Championships, held on Sand Lake ( Yes, I know, Sand Lake is out of the question [Or is it??? Has anyone checked???] )? How about Wasilla Lake? I know for a fact that the new owners of the Mat-Su Resort are STARVING!!! ( I have an “in” there and would be more than happy to capitalize on this angle. ) The race could still be held in conjunction with the Fur Rondy, the same weekend as scheduled and all. The important thing is that it would show Anchorage that a good chunk of money could very easily end up in another community. I suspect that either Palmer or Wasilla would appreciate benefitting from, and being included in, the Fur Rondy.

My point here is; Have all avenues been explored??? I suspect NOT! I know the economy has got all of us down but I, for one, am devestated by the “Oh Well” attitude that seems to be present.

There’s more to this & it pertains to the ability to put on a “show”. Another area that is crucial to not only the continuation of the FRGP but the club itself. This IS economically driven but something that NEEDS to be addressed. Racing IS entertainment and you/we are all “stars” in the entertainment business!!! It’s just that simple! Just like a crappy show on T.V., you will be cancelled. ( Hmmmm, what word has cancelled been used in conjunction with recently? Oh Ya, The 2010 Rondy Grand Prix!!! ) Yes, it’s easy to say that in such a crappy economy a lot of people have lost their jobs or if they still have them, they just don’t have the money to spend. After all, who can afford to go out and buy a 30, 50 or 100 thousand dollar + race car for 2 races a year, possibly 3? Let’s face it, There just aren’t a whole lot of people out there that are willing to go out and buy even a used Integra for $5,000, spend even more money to bring it into compliance w/the rules and then go out and take a chance on getting it smashed up or blown up because it’s also their “daily driver”. There are even fewer people interested in watching them “race”! I saw the video from last year’s “race” and those were some pretty empty snow berms!!! Back in the day it was shoulder to shoulder and if you showed up late, you were 3 or 4 deep, trying to get a glimpse of the track!!! As stated, this is a major issue which NEEDS to be addressed but, for now, let’s at least keep the FRGP on the books. It is ( or was ) the longest continually running, temporary street course race IN THE WORLD!!!

I/We regret ever having left Alaska but I do believe it has given me the benefit of an “outsiders” view on something that is more dear to me and a bigger part of my life than most of you could ever imagine. I am available to help, answer questions or anything else I can do, pretty much any time ( Still unemployed since our return the first of July! ). PLEASE, PLEASE CONTACT ME!!! There’s still time and I have an abundance of it on my hands!!! I am in the Settler’s Bay area and would love to coordinate/promote “THE RACE” here in the valley!

Contact Mitch Johnson @ suntansourdough@mtaonline.net

Don’t let the F. R. G. P. become “The Silence of the Lambs”!!!

Respectfully, though it may not seem so,
MITCH JOHNSON

hey mitch there’s a meeting tonight if want to join in

Wow, the ASCC has really graduated. $30,50,100,000 dollars for an ASCC race car? What are you John Schnieder? HELLO! the fun factor does not need to be that expensive! I think I gave $3k for the ’84 GTi that Mark Graham now owns. I sold it to Mike Scearce for $1,500. Most IT cars in the day started out as $500 cars!
What ever happened to the Klondik GP? It was a huge hit.
Bottom line is entrants. You need lots more participants. Build a cheap car and go have fun. Save your monies and run GT so that you can do what you want without “neuspeed” prices.
Sorry to hear the FRGP was cancelled, it had stopped in the past and has been brought back from the dead before (International Road, Downtown , railroad, etc.)
Good luck ASCC don’t give up!
Mucus you can send the wing now.

What a HUGE bummer !! Ive always enjoyed the GP and checked on the results after the races form afar. I would move back to Anchorage just for the races. I like the idea of seeking corporate support and private donations to make them a reality next year. Where do I send my donation?