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OH SAY, DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED
BANNER YET WAVE?
Not at NHRA events, anyway, according to the
Agent's operative. NHRA has placed Mark Schlatter's
giant flag performances on indefinite suspension
following the flag landing that toppled and
damaged an ESPN camera at the Houston event
on April 13, 2003.
When it was discovered that a clerical error
caused Schlatter's liability insurance to lapse,
NHRA demanded that Schlatter be responsible
for the full cost of the camera repair -- approximately
$38,000. NHRA offered to deduct money from Schlatter's
pay for years to come, but Schlatter cited low
profit margins, existing discounts to NHRA,
rising costs and team moral as reasons he could
not afford such a plan. Schlatter proposed more
aggressive payments of a number lower than $38,000
and a number which might resemble typical court
settlements involving inherent liability and
or contributory negligence, but NHRA flatly
refused to consider a lower sum.
Schlatter made his flags by hand, and has begun
construction on five new giant flags for other
venues and sanctions. He has performed for 16
years and attended approximately 300 Nationals
events. [9-15-2003]
NASCAR TO HONOR RJR OCT. 7
Billing it as "the greatest farewell concert
and party in motorsports history," industry
officials announced plans for the Winston Cup
Extreme Tribute Party, an eight-hour entertainment
party, featuring top recording artists and other
celebrities, on Tuesday night, Oct. 7, at Lowe's
Motor Speedway.
The event, produced by Charlotte-based Creative
Network Studios, kicks-off UAW-GM Quality 500
Week. It will recognize R.J. Reynolds' contributions
to motorsports and serve
as
a thank you for its Winston brand's 33-year sponsorship
of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. vUtilizing the
turn two area of the 1.5-mile superspeedway, including
the massive Diamond Tower Terrace grandstands,
the event will run from 3 to 11 p.m. Tickets are
available through all Ticketmaster outlets.
Net proceeds from the event will be donated
to the Speedway Children's Charities in honor
of RJR and utilized for children-related causes
in various communities.
"Winston has been much more than just a sponsor,"
said track owner Bruton Smith. "They have been
a tremendous partner in growing the sport of
NASCAR and I consider many from their staff,
past and present, great friends.
It's appropriate to have this celebration here
in our shared home state of North Carolina and
the epicenter of the industry," Smith added.
"I know the motorsports community will come
out in support of this event and help us toast
Winston and their much appreciated contributions."
The Agent is mightily impressed with NASCAR
for showing their appreciation to Winston. Let's
see now, didn't Winston sponsor some drag racing
program for about 25 years. . . but, as Red
Buttons used to say on those old Dean Martin
Roasts, "never got a dinner." (DRO
file photo by Jeff Burk) [9-15-2003]
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