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:
- 5 Liter Class and Grand Prix Hydroplanes. You can learn more from the American Power Boat Association.
- Formula 1 Demonstration. You can learn more from US Formula One Powerboat.
- Unlimited Hydroplanes. Of course, the headliner will again be the Unlimited Hydroplanes. More can be found at H1Unlimited.com.
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