Coeur d’Alene Schedule Released – Laying Groundwork for Future

Detailed Unlimited Hydroplane Racing Schedule

First, exciting news from Coeur d’Alene – the detailed 2013 Diamond Cup Schedule has been released!  The weekend is shaping up to be a fun one, with exciting activities for all ages.  (Hold that thought for a second.  We’ll pick that up after the schedule and discuss why this sort of schedule is critical for the future of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing, and take a look at what else might be up Doug Miller’s sleeve for next year.)

2013 Diamond Cup EVENT SCHEDULE V2.1 (08/16/13)


FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2013

9:00A ALL Driver/Crew Chief Pre-Water Meeting
10:00A-Noon Testing: H1 Unlimited & Grand Prix West
12:15P-12:45P Monster Wakeboard Demo
1:00P-2:00P Testing: H1 Unlimited & Grand Prix West
2:15P-2:45P Monster Wakeboard Demo
3:00P-5:00P H1 Unlimited Qualifying
5:15P Vintage Hydroplane Exhibition
5:30P Super 1 Foods Grand Prix West Dash for Cash

SATURDAY, AUG 31, 2013

8:00A H1, Vintage, GPW Physicals
8:30A-9:30A Grand Prix West Qualifying
9:30A-11:00A H1, GPW Testing
11:00A Vintage Heat 1 Limited
11:30A Vintage Heat 1 Unlimiteds
11:45A H1 Drivers Meeting
12:15P GPW/Vintage Drivers Meeting
12:15P-12:45P Monster Wakeboard Demo
1:00P Grand Prix West Heat 1A
1:30P Rex Manchester Memorial H1 Unlimited Heat 1A
2:00P Bardahl Corporation H1 Unlimited Heat 1B
2:30P-3:30P H1 Autograph Session
2:30P-3:30P Monster Wakeboard Demo
3:30P Grand Prix West Heat 2A
3:50P Vintage Heat 2 Limiteds
4:10P Vintage Heat 2 Unlimiteds
4:30P H1 Challenge Heat(s)
4:50P Press Conference Media Tent (All Drivers)

SUNDAY, SEPT 1, 2013

8:00A H1, Vintage, GPW Physicals
8:30A Testing H1/GPW
10:00A Hagadone Hospitality Vintage Exhibition
10:30A Opening Ceremonies
11:00A Unlimited News Journal.Net H1 Unlimited Heat 2A
11:30A Atomic Screenprinting H1 Unlimited Heat 2B
12:00P-12:45P Monster Wakeboard Demo
1:00P Beacon Plumbing H1 Unlimited Heat 3A
1:30P Les Schwab H1 Unlimited Heat 3B
1:45P-2:30P Monster Wakeboard Demo
1:45P-2:15P H1 Drivers Autograph Session
2:45P NAPA Auto Parts H1 Provisional Heat
3:00P Hagadone Hospitality Vintage Finale
3:30P Universal Funding Corporation  Grand Prix West Final
4:00P Riverstone Development H1 Unlimited Diamond Cup
4:30P AWARDS CEREMONY
5:00P Press Conference Media Tent (All Drivers)

Congratulations to Doug Miller and his team for pulling together what is sure to be an exciting weekend of activities.  Watch for the Coeur d’Alene Diamond Cup Regatta site to be updated with this new, detailed schedule soon.

Schedule Variety Appeals to Many

Designing an event to connect with patrons of all ages is smart business.  It broadens the demographic for whom the event appeals and it allows families to enjoy “multi-generational” entertainment with shared memories.

While this is important for the “here and now” of the sport of Unlimited Hydroplane Racing, it is critical for sustaining the “demand for more” from the audience for the success of future events.

“It doesn’t cost a nickel to get old-timers like me to attend.  We’ll be there anyway.”

This quote from Doug Miller is the essence of why it is important to shake up the offerings.  When I spoke to him via phone yesterday, this was a matter-of-fact attitude toward attendance.  He has obviously thought long and hard about accommodating the here and now as well as the needs of the future.


Long-time fans and “fan-atics” as well will attend.  Period.  That’s a no-brainer.  However, we’d all like to live forever, but well, we won’t.  Creating an experience that appeals to fans… ahem… a bit… ahem… younger than us is exactly what the sport should be doing.  We need to continually add to the fan base.  Many race venues already do this and they should also be commended.  It is this younger fan base that will grow and sustain the sport far into the future.

Not Just Unlimited Hydroplanes

The makeup of the Coeur d’Alene Diamond Cup Schedule is not unlike those of other race sites, but that doesn’t make it boring.  In fact, similar to some of the other race venues, interspersing a varied selection of exciting activities with the recurring Unlimited Hydroplane heats, the Diamond Cup will not just draw, but compel!

Fans who might tire of the vintage hydroplanes will wake up for the wakeboard demos.  Those who are a bit cool to the Grand Prix boats will be on fire for the Unlimited Hydroplane heats.

You get the idea.

The variety of the schedule will draw a varied audience, but the manner in which the overall event is crafted will compel attendees to engage – and begin the “draw”’ for next time.

Resting on laurels?  Are you kidding me?

It would be easy to pat the Diamond Cup on the top of the head and say, “nice job getting a varied audience age” and “congratulations on a well-attended event” and see them just rinse and repeat next year.  Sorry, that’s not how Doug Miller rolls.

As I’m sure you’ll agree, Doug is on to something.  In my conversation with him, he shared the fact that this synthesized schedule strategy is only the beginning.  He is already planning to extend and expand the reach with additional variety next year.  In his focus on the “closed capsule racing world” he is considering something like this:

It is quite clear to me both the hear and now, as well as the future, are each being covered quite nicely.

Watch for the detailed schedule to appear on the Coeur d’Alene Diamond Cup Race site soon.  As a convenience, the UnlimitedHydroplaneRacing.com Schedule Page links to the Diamond Cup’s schedule page  In addition, be sure to check back often as race weekend approaches to see what other tricks Doug might have up his visionary sleeve.

Dave


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