ISA series dead
Mike
aliance) based in canada has closed its doors only after 4 months of being
up and running.
http://www.kawarthaspeedway.com
http://www.canadianracing.com/releases.html#isadead
http://www.sportsnet.ca/autoracing/story/10440408932681.shtml?sport=autoraci
ng&STORY_OID=10440408932681
I tried calling both numbers that I have and i get an answering machine, I
had tickets to the events this year.
there is no word on refunds. Pretty horrible news consdering some of the
owners are big bussiness up here
GLT
issue.
I think a lot of people are out the ticket money over this failure.
ISA DEAD
By Greg MacPherson
WOODSTOCK, ON - On January 30, the International Stockcar Alliance (ISA)
died. Dogged by rumours and controversy since it was launched, the end came
amid a flurry of finger-pointing and speculation about what really happened
to the stock car series that declared its intention, early last October, to
make a major impact upon the Canadian and international racing scenes.
In a statement made to London Free Press reporter Jim Cressman, recently
appointed ISA General Manager Ken Keegans said, "The ISA is closing. I'm
not going to get into details. It's a privately held corporation. It's not
for public knowledge." Attempts to reach CEO Mitch Mortimer, at the ISA
head office, were unsuccessful. ISA phone lines were no longer in service
on January 31.
Simultaneously, the isaracing.com website was taken down and a statement
made on behalf of several ISA drivers - all of them former CASCAR
competitors - was released by former ISA employee Bruce Mehlenbacher.
Although short on specifics, the release made it clear that the drivers
were claiming to have been attracted to the ISA based on incorrect
information. The release, dated Jan. 30, was distributed by Mehlenbacher
and purported to represent drivers Mark Dilley, Kenny Forth, Dave Jacombs,
Jim Lapcevich, Jeff Lapcevich, Kerry Micks and Dave Whitlock.
The release said, ". the drivers agreed that their initial decisions were
founded on the information presented to each of them during random meetings
last summer and fall. with the current factual information at hand, the
decision was unanimous and the teams all plan to immediately re-focus their
efforts on the CASCAR Super Series."
According to sources who were formerly employed by the ISA, late last year,
series CEO and founder Mitch Mortimer was moved to a narrow sales and
marketing role within the organization. He was, however, introduced as
"CEO" during the January 14 Toronto Molson Indy Ticket launch, in Toronto.
But the 'de facto' change in leadership to a group led by General Manager
Ken Keegans, Mehlenbacher and Steve Stubbs, was confirmed by Mehlenbacher
and former ISA Director of Communications Tim Miller. The Landmark Sport
Group, of Toronto, became a prominent player within the organization, late
last year.
According to Miller, Mortimer was removed from control when it became clear
that the organization lacked structure and was in trouble of falling apart.
Mehlenbacher characterized the ISA's situation, as it existed in early
December, as "dead in the water". Following the collapse of the ISA, Miller
compared the organization's spending, prior to the organizational
restructuring, to "a bunch of drunken sailors."
The organization briefly regained momentum in January, however, when the
investors reportedly re-committed themselves to the project after control
shifted away from Mortimer. And when Canadian Tire and Peter Gibbons issued
a press release in late January, announcing their intention to race in the
ISA, it was seen as a major credibility boost for the new series.
But even the defection of another of CASCAR's top racers and a major
participating sponsor like Canadian Tire wasn't enough to breathe life into
the failing organization. Just days before the plug was pulled, Race City
Motorsport Park GM Ray Kuntz told Inside Track that he had nothing more
from the ISA than the original 'letter of intent' that had been agreed to,
back in September. Other announced ISA tracks were also said to be waiting
for "contracts and cheques".
And by the end, many of the ISA's suppliers were growing openly frustrated
with the series' inability to meet its deadlines for payments. Once the ISA
officially folded, several individuals stepped forward with stories of
promises and contracts that were broken. Assurances that Toyota was
involved in a significant way with the ISA was the hook that lured several
drivers, who claim they had signed contracts with the ISA for $50,000 in
cash, as well as the use of Toyota SUVs and other enticements. In the end,
one of the drivers, Mark Dilley, said the contracts were not honoured.
On January 31, Kawartha Speedway's website announced that facility owner
Harvey 'Skip' Ambrose was initiating legal proceedings against the ISA for
"breach of the Licensing Agreement and failure to meet important legal
obligations and responsibilities."
Smoke and mirrors
Discussing the plan that threatened to challenge CASCAR's existence, series
owner Tony Novotny said, "The ISA was nothing but smoke and mirrors."
According to Novotny, the initial ISA investors put up the money to secure
the Toronto and Vancouver Indy dates, as well as payments to the
participating Winston Cup drivers. Beyond that, the plan was to attract
other sources of funding based on the interest created by the launch of the
new series. Given the failure of the series, however, it's unlikely that
significant additional funding ever materialized, and the initial investors
took a major financial hit.
In an October 10, 2002 ISA press released, titled the "Horsepower behind
the ISA", several individuals were named as backers of the venture.
Included in the release were: "Pat and Liz Carroll, owners and presidents
of Tiltran Services and Lizco Sales; John Fuller, owner and president of
Fuller Utility Supply; Kirby Heckford, owner and president of Tillsonburg
Glass & Mirror and Simcoe Window & Doors; Wes Heckford, owner and president
of Ellis Glass; Bill McLean, owner and president of the Great Canadian Bean
Company; and Pete Kosi and Terry Tunks, owners of Tunks & Kosi Electric."
Pat Carroll was reportedly the single biggest investor in the venture.
The involvement of several "partners" was also trumpeted. In addition to
title sponsor Exide Technologies, the list of "partners" included TSN,
Molson Sports & Ent., House of Blues Canada, Sun Media Publications, AON
Reed Stenhouse, Raceline, Bingemans and APX Racewear. But upon closer
examination, most of the 'partners' appeared to view the ISA purely as a
'customer'. From the start, some of the partners openly said they would be
able to provide services to the ISA if it ever actually got off the ground,
but beyond that, claimed to have no significant financial exposure.
In addition to the damage done to Canadian stock car racing, the ISA's
legacy could include burned tickets holders, for events that will never
occur. The most expensive ISA tickets were over $90, including taxes and
service charges. According to Tim Miller, the number of tickets sold was
"in the thousands."
The statement on the Kawartha website touched upon the situation regarding
those who purchased seats to ISA events; tickets that were still for sale
as the ISA was collapsing.
"Kawartha Superspeedway is not aware of the status of money paid to the
International Stockcar Alliance by ticket purchasers. Individuals wishing
to determine the status of their ticket money should contact the
International Stockcar Alliance directly." A similar note, posted on the
Race City website, directed people who purchased tickets to the Aug. 5
event at the Calgary oval to contact the ISA at a phone number that had
already been disconnected.
According to Mark Dilley, who organized the "Racing with James Turner
Charity Golf Tournament", the 'Big Brothers & Big Sisters' and Rick
Hansen's 'Man in Motion Foundation' will also end up being victims of the
ISA. "I never got paid by the ISA for their involvement in our [2002]
charitable golf tournament. They stiffed us for $2,100," said Dilley, who
plans to race a CASCAR Intrepid, out of the Whitlock Motorsports stable,
this season. "This [ISA] has cost me a lot, personally. But stiffing our
charities like that is the worst thing. Instead of us giving $17,100 to
each charity, they will now get $16,050."
Next issue: More on the ISA's demise.
"Mike" <webm...@420rulz.com> wrote in message
news:YLg0a.58303$L47.9...@read2.cgocable.net...
BC
contender in Canada, in terms of drawing serious interest of drivers
and fans from all over North America, and it has to be run by shysters
and incompetents. Thanks a lot ISA. Not only did you guys screw up
but you've messed up any chance for a genuine and honest racing
organization to do anything originating in Canada for a long time.
Nice work, assh***s.
CASCAR might not be the finest and it won't compete with NASCAR but
it's honest and more importantly...it's still here. Which is more
than I can say for the ISA jerks.
BC
Calgary