Detroit Area Slalom Race In The Works

[Petary791]

A sweet hill in my hometown is currently being repaved. It's nothing like a big time DH run but it is definitely fun for a commuting bomb, and since it's 2 lanes and being repaved, it would make a SICK hybrid slalom course. It is a relatively busy street so I'm going to go to the police station to get a road closing permit tomorrow. But I have some questions for the Midwest slalom public.

If this all goes through, what would you guys prefer? May 15th, after most colleges get out, or March or April while college is still in session?

Pros to May: We can BBQ and go out on my boat (it's only 19' but whatevz) and tube and stuff afterwards.
Cons to May: I'm pretty sure May is the start of epic slalom season with mad races going on.

One more thing, I don't have 2 roll ins. or 1 roll in for that matter, so is anyone opposed to a kick start? If y'all don't like it, does anyone have roll ins we can use? And also, PM me if you have a great timer and mad cones.

So hit me up with some input. I'll let you know how my meeting with the city goes tomorrow morning and I'll try to up a video. The road is currently under construction but I'm expecting BUTTER pavement. Think Maryhill.

[Randelpink03]

Here is the schedule from this years events:

Main#1: Texas Sizzler / Austin, TX, US / 28-29 March 2009
Main#2: U.S. Nationals/11-12 July 2009/Lafayette, CO, US
Main#3: The Farm/8-9 August 2009/Vista, NY, US
Main#4: Can/Am Slalom Championships/18-20 September 2009/Antrim, NH, US
Main#5: Dixie Cup/8-10 November 2009/Statesville, NC, US
Prime#1: Oregon State Games / Salem, Oregon, US / 27-28 June 2009 http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/IS...A-OR-JUN27.pdf
Prime#2: St. Louis Slalom/ St. Louis, Missouri, US / 23-24 May 2009
Prime#3: Sun Prairie Wiggle War/20-21 June 2009 /Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, US
Prime#4: Southern Fried Cone Fest /19-20 September 2009 /Ashland, KY, US
Prime#5: Catskills Slalom/12-14 June 2009 /Catskills, NY, US
Prime#6: EISF2009/September 26, 2009 /Bethel College, Mishawaka IN

If you go for the 15th it looks like the st. louis event would be the following weekend, that is if they keep the same dates. Im gonna do some more searching and post back a little later.

[Petary791]

Righto Ross, thanks for the info. I know for a fact WWV and St. Louis will take precedent over mine so I'd like to work around them.

[yerkeswood]

I think we're planning on adding slalom to MIM too, which will be in late April again. I'd say if your going for May, shoot for later May (the weekend before or after St. Louis) or later in the summer just so its not MI events on back to back weekends or something. We have no legit midwest slalom event in August, so thats always an option. Shouldn't have to worry about rain as much then. And like you said, just don't overlap another midwest event that already exists. It's the same core group of guys at all the midwest events and I'd hate to see that core group split with 2 options, reducing turnouts of both. I'd like to get MIM sanctioned by the ISSA, but it may be hard considering how many of the prime events are already from the midwest ( I think chicago is getting sanctioned next yr. as well).

[Petary791]

Awesome, maybe I'll push it even more forward. Where are we thinking about doing it for MIM? Will it be sanctioned by the city?

[yerkeswood]

Awesome, maybe I'll push it even more forward. Where are we thinking about doing it for MIM? Will it be sanctioned by the city?

Either Lansing, Holt subdivisions, or Mason. There's plenty of spots in each, and we haven't really picked out one in particular. TS can be run on flat ground in a parking lot if necessary. The TS in Wisconsin actually looked slightly uphill. I'm nervous about asking Lansing because a 'no' for slalom might also bring unwanted city attention to the push race. I'm sure Mason or Holt will let us do something.

I like roll-ins a lot more than push start, but thats only because I believe I'm at a slight disadvantage pushing mongo. All you need is a couple two by fours for structure and a sheet and a half of OSB for the ramp and platform.

[Randelpink03]

Yeah man, roll in for sure. We could for sure craft our own and could be done for relatively cheap too.

[mikedallas]

someone should draft a flyer. just choose a date, send me a flyer and together we can blow up the michigan scene. send to: mikedallas@bustinboards.com

Go Green Longboarding 4 life!

[mangels]

... The TS in Wisconsin actually looked slightly uphill ...

*snicker* No. It's actually slightly downhill. Like a pool table with a dime under one leg. You notice the difference though if you run the cones from the other direction (finish to start).

The Chicago [Batavia] race was in March this year. Dunno if they'll be doing it the same time next year. The St Louis Slalom is traditionally Memorial Day weekend. The Wiggle War is tied to another Sun Prairie festival that is always the 3rd weekend in June. So it does look like an opening in April. And Like somebody else said, it would be nice to have a race in the Midwest in August.

As far as the ISSA sanctioning goes, I think they only sanction 10 prime races a year (this side of the Atlantic). But there is no limit to the number of general and basic races. And this being your first race, you prolly shouldn't shoot for prime.

Push starts are OK with me. The St Louis and Chicago [Batavia] races are push starts too.

LET'S DO IT!!!

[Tagsrover]

Mangels had awesome an awesome roll in. Really simple with just a flat top and a flat angled part.

I'd love to see a michigan slalom race. I think we'd need at least 2 courses (TS and HS) to make it worthwhile for people to come. Tying it in with MIM would be great. Maybe we'd be able to get the park closed early early saturday morning (before the kickity flippers wake up) with modern's blessing and run park slalom? then we'd have a push race, slide jam, and 2 or 3 different slalom options. It'd make for an awesome 2 days.

Plus let's not forget about last years epic garage bombing night time madness

[Mister Surly]

Main#5: Dixie Cup/8-10 November 2009/Statesville, NC, US

Dixie dates are the 6,7,8 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

[mangels]

Dixie dates are the 6,7,8 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

Thanks for catching that. I fixed it on the ISSA site's calendar.

[Jonathon Schumaker]

I am down. Garage bombing is great when we took over the streets!

[06metzp]

One more thing, I don't have 2 roll ins. or 1 roll in for that matter, so is anyone opposed to a kick start? If y'all don't like it, does anyone have roll ins we can use? And also, PM me if you have a great timer and mad cones.

Any updates on this?

No preference on date yet, but I have ~100 cones and a start ramp I could bring if I can make it.

Depending on how early it is and if funding comes through, I will hopefully be able to provide a prize board from Metzger Skates as well.

[Ogre]

Get with Bara and the Kill city crew..

[Petary791]

I was finally home and I skated the brand new pavement. Oh man it's fantastic. I'm gonna see if I can get in touch with Bara and I'll try to get some things in stone over winter break. I'll let you guys know what's going on for sure. Thanks for the bump!

[Traveler]

Sounds like this could be a fun one, when Eddy and I planned the 1st Sizzler, we tried to look for dates that would not interfere with other races. These days the field is much more crowded. It is a good idea to keep the other locals in mind but you should also keep in mind what works best for where you are too. Are there an festivals or other events such as bike races or marathons in the area. this is great because a lot of times you can use their insurance bonds to cover your event too. And one thing that a lot of organizers forget is to take into account the weather. check a farmers almanac or state weather charts and find out which month is the driest (and in you area unfrozen) Just some random advice

[Petary791]

No preference on date yet, but I have ~100 cones and a start ramp I could bring if I can make it.

Depending on how early it is and if funding comes through, I will hopefully be able to provide a prize board from Metzger Skates as well.

Oh wow, that would be much appreciated. Currently we're coneless and especially rampless. For a date I'm thinking April or May, the issue is coordinating with rain. If anyone has a date they really want hit me with it.

Sounds like this could be a fun one, when Eddy and I planned the 1st Sizzler, we tried to look for dates that would not interfere with other races. These days the field is much more crowded. It is a good idea to keep the other locals in mind but you should also keep in mind what works best for where you are too. Are there an festivals or other events such as bike races or marathons in the area. this is great because a lot of times you can use their insurance bonds to cover your event too. And one thing that a lot of organizers forget is to take into account the weather. check a farmers almanac or state weather charts and find out which month is the driest (and in you area unfrozen) Just some random advice

Thanks a ton man, it means a lot. I really appreciate it. I'm definitely going to be weary of other dates.

[glideronfreerides]

you guys should do this on memorial day weekend (may 23-25) cause then we can go to DEMF and rave out during the evenings.

also, if there are any runs, I think it'd be lots of fun to have a DH race also.. moreso than slalom + push race, or slalom + slide jam, etc.

slalom + DH = win!

[PeterWeinrauch]

Peter,

Just give me the details as they come through, you've got my support for making a flyer, getting some sponsors, etc. etc. you know how that goes.