[jeffw]

Here within this forum, we have something that no one in the world has..... a person (Eric) who has a race team at the IOM TT... and is sending reports with pictures in near real time (each night)!!!!

All the time he is showing gixxer.com logos all over the place, On the bike, t-shirts, polo shirts, etc........ even for wheelie shots under the belly pan.

I am really depressed that we could not have raised a bit more cash for Eric so Dave could ride on a total gixxer.com paint scheme, this would have been very cool.

So if we figure that this year is shot (I do not know exactly how much cash be donated, it's got to be under $1500 USD), we should start collecting cash now for Eric's team for the 2004 IOM TT,

At the same time I thing we should contribute cash into a fund... for air tickets for a person (raffle it off if you wish) to get to go over to the TT and spend time in the pits with Eric.

We are talking about the cost of a beer or two, each month (must be 1000 people that would give $10/month around here).......Don't tell me that people around here can't afford that...

This race is big, the exposure that gixxer.com got from it is huge.......... we need t step up a bit and provide Eric with some real support for 2004.

We all get something from the gixxer.com site in one way or another, I think it's time to start giving back to the motorcycle community, what better way than to support Eric.

 

[Eric the viking]

Thanks for the plug jeff and thanks again for all your help and support for this years races.

We have the 600 production race and the senior race on the 750 tomorrow, but we have already been talking about what we want to do for next year. One of our sponsors, keith from Pegasus Externals ltd was over with us for the last couple of days and he has been extremely impressed with the team and Daves results. Remember, we are a privateer team, this has been done in our spare time and we all have real jobs to do. Keith did mention the possibility of him buying a gsxr 1000 for next years production race for us, but he was quite drunk last night when he was talking about it!

We know we can improve for next year, firstly get the F1 bike on song, the engine is a missile, just need a straight chassis and swingarm, we are convinced one or both of them is/are not straight which has caused all the handling problems.

We would be more than happy to run the whole team as the Gixxer.com team for next year, and as long as enough money is raised, we can rent a bigger house and put someone up for either race week, or the 2 weeks including practice. We can also arrange for the person to be a member of the 3 man pit crew for at least one of the races. Presuming they have a bike license, we will arrange for them to borrow a bike to go round on mad sunday, and during the rest of the races, they will be escorted around the track on the various race days. they will really be part of the team.

So we will be happy to run with your idea as detailed above. we can aslo arrange for the world wide sale through this site of the Gixxer.com TT racing T shirts and polo shirts for next years races. How cool would that be? with all profits going to support the team.

If anyone has any other ideas to raise some cash, let us know.

lets really go for it next year..... in the 2004 TT races

thanks for all the help from everyone for this years races. Especially steve at overthe top.ca for the rearsets, screen brace, clipons and subframe etc, the good people at cycle brakes and galfer for supplying the awesome pads and brake lines for stopping the bikes from over 170 mph, and the members of gixxer.com that donated money to help fund the project.

We have had a lot of people ask us what gixxer.com is all about, so we should have a load of new members very soon !

Eric

ps I have really enjoyed taking the pics and acting as team reporter for you guys, although it has taken up a fair bit of time. Just wait til i am able to scan the pics i have of Dave out racing on the circuit !

 

[Eric the viking]

I am amazed at the lack of response to this post by Jeff

In reality we could run next year in full gixxer.com colours if 250 people donated $10 per month for 10 months, or $100 each in total donations.

that would raise $25,000 which would be enough to run the whole team and get one of the members over for race week, fully paid.

You would have a 1 in 250 chance of winning the trip, assuming you only bought one ticket ! nothing to stop you buying more.

Every entrant would be guaranteed a race team shirt as well

what do people think? We could run it as a raffle for a few months if required, so the winner would know with plenty of advance warning that they have won the trip. (or we could sell tickets at $50 each and try and sell 500 !)

We are already in the process of looking towards next years races, so if you guys want to be a part of it, let us know

 

[Irish_GSXR]

Eric / Jeff

Put me down for $150. Email me for payment details. Would be proud to help a team with this level of commitment and dedication.

Ferg

 

[Eric the viking]

Thanks Ferg

hold onto your cash for the moment, until we decide which way to go.

i do like the idea though of a big raffle at say $50 or $100 a ticket with the winner getting a trip to be with the team for race week.

To get round some of the lottery/gambling rules around the world, we could sell a team shirt for the $50/$100 and then all team shirt owners go into the draw for the trip. then technically the entry is free, but to qualify you must be a Gixxer.com at the TT '04 team shirt owner !

What do people think?

Eric

 

[Irish_GSXR]

Sounds like a great idea Eric. The only negative I see for you is that it creates more work and hassle for you. It is a good way to generate support and interest though.
Anyway, my previous offer still stands, whether it be cash or t-shirts.
I have yet to go to the IOM TT, despite travelling all over Ireland to attend and assist at road-races !. This is just the excuse I need to go there in 2004.
All the best, and congratulatons on your excellent results this year

Ferg

 

[Knight2211]

I am willing to put in my support for next year, won't be the $100 you are looking for, but it would be something.

 

[Eric the viking]

Thanksfor your support

what do you think about the raffle idea, or Jeff's monthly contribution idea?

Let us know what you guys think......

Eric

 

[Quig]

Eric/Jeff

I'm a little shocked at the lack of support also...

Give it a little time and I think(hope) everyone will come around... I'd suggest making this thread a "sticky" at the top of General Discussion too...

I'd like to be one of the first to step up and GUARANTEE my support for the team at the '04 TT. I'm still pissed that I was too lazy to donate for this year. I guess the TT kinda sneaks up on us in the states.

Seems you guys have some excellent ideas for how to get this going... Whatever the case, when you begin accepting donations you can count on one from me.

I must also say that I was/am incredibly impressed by the results that Eric and crew have accomplished in this years TT. I'm equally impressed by the constant updates with tons of up to date information and pictures. It really is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and keep up the good work.

--Quig.

 

[Liu Kang]

I have the utmost respect for The Viking and his team -- I really do. But you can't sit here and act all shocked that Gixxer.com members didn't raise more money for them. Gixxer.com alone should've given him the money for a full Gixxer.com paint scheme, and not it's members.

*** the following paragraph is a compelation of some of the replies I've had from fellow members regarding donations -- don't hate me

***

Not to be a prick, but, what's in it for me? I give up cash and what do I get in return? I already have to pay money to be permitted to post items I'm trying to sell. This site also makes money off of sponsors. I would give Eric and his team cash, but for what? To promote a site that already makes money off me... to raise the amount of money Gixxer.com makes from advertising or to help promote a site that I don't own or have any real business interest in?

Again, not being a prick, just being the devil's advocate here. This is basically what I've heard from members I've asked about donating to this cause. I'm a huge fan of the TT, but I also share some of the views mentioned above.

Either way, I have already planned to attend next years race, and I wish you guys the best of luck preparing for the next TT -- I'll be there rooting for you and I will also donate to the cause next year just cause of the way you handled it this year.

 

[LRG]

I don't care about the raffle, or whatever. I can add some cash maybe not a 100, more like 50 or so. I am pretty poor as I went back to get a degree 3 1/2 ago, got 2 more left.


Anyway figure out whats up and I will help a little. Its a awesome race and takes big balls.

I don't know if you want to commit yourself to a raffle and all seems like a pain. Be better of just trying hooking up some lodging for a few wanting to come over.

What might be interesting is to film some video from next years race and then find someone computer saavy to burn the vid on vcd and give those that donate a certain amount, a copy. Although I don't know if the race sponsors allow that kind of thing. I went to the site an the video is so cool it raises my blood pressure to see the bikes go thru the streets at that speed.

 

[Mr Gixxer]

Lui Kang said:

I have the utmost respect for The Viking and his team -- I really do. But you can't sit here and act all shocked that Gixxer.com members didn't raise more money for them. Gixxer.com alone should've given him the money for a full Gixxer.com paint scheme, and not it's members.

*** the following paragraph is a compelation of some of the replies I've had from fellow members regarding donations -- don't hate me

***

Not to be a prick, but, what's in it for me? I give up cash and what do I get in return? I already have to pay money to be permitted to post items I'm trying to sell. This site also makes money off of sponsors. I would give Eric and his team cash, but for what? To promote a site that already makes money off me... to raise the amount of money Gixxer.com makes from advertising or to help promote a site that I don't own or have any real business interest in?

Again, not being a prick, just being the devil's advocate here. This is basically what I've heard from members I've asked about donating to this cause. I'm a huge fan of the TT, but I also share some of the views mentioned above.

Either way, I have already planned to attend next years race, and I wish you guys the best of luck preparing for the next TT -- I'll be there rooting for you and I will also donate to the cause next year just cause of the way you handled it this year.

Gixxer.com did donate to the TT efforts, but it also costs money to run this site.

Maybe if we charged a $100 a year for you to be a member we could fully finance the race team.

And many of the site sponsors (probably half of them paid no cash money at all) donate prizes that we in turn give away to you guys, so don't go thinking we get rich from banner ads!

Donating to the TT efforts is a feel good thing for the members to do, much like donating to a church or other cause - what is in it for you is to know that your small contribution helped in some way.

 

[GSXRJ99]

Mr Gix , Eric , & all the Gixxer.com racers & members ..

I'm definately down for the donation to the team for next year , and i`m sorry about not donating this year ..
But .....

I dont think forcing people to pay $100 per year for membership is the total right answer ..
I personally think you`d kill the site on yourself ..
Maybe thats just my opinion though ...

I do love this site though , and I am a contributing member ..
I think you need to leave it as a "want to" thing though I think as far as donating and membership ..

Anyhow ..
Like I said ..
I`m all for GIXXER.COM , and you can count me in for a donation when you figure out which way youre going to go with it ..

I think you should have different stages of incentive packages ..
eg..
bronze donation - a $10 donation will get you a gixxer.com sticker ...
silver donation - a $50 or above donation wil guarantee you a team shirt & a sticker ..
gold donation - a $100 or above donation will guarantee a team shirt , sticker ,
and VCD of the gixxer.com team at the races ...
Platinum doanation - anything over $10 per month for the entire year will entitle you to
sticker , vcd , team shirt , and a platinum surrounded red r ..

or something like that ..
Thank you , thank you ....
I know i`m good ..

Use my scheme and I want a discount ... j/k

The T-Shirt Idea is good ..
If you remember I suggested that one to Eric I believe for this years donation.
Glad to see its going to be used for next year .. I want one ..

I would also love to get video footage of our team at the races ..
Thats a great suggestion .. Probably way way easy to accomplish also .

Maybe you can work out some cost effective incentives and people will start to dip into their pockets to help ..

the video VCDs with the giixer team footage from the race which would be cheap enough to give to donating members ..
So would stickers & shirts ..

And of course the platinum surrounded red Rs ...
Thats gravy ...

Hope you like the ideas ..
Hope I in some way help here ..
Let me know when the donating begins ..


GSXRJ99
Jay

 

[sunofabeach]

i think Mr. Gixxer was being sarcastic when he said that he should charge $100 a year. also, thats probably the only way that gixxer.com could fund that sort of team at the TT.

 

[Eric the viking]

Thanks for all the responses so far, i too think Mr Gixxer was being sarcastic at his $100 per member for being on the site, but the site doesnt run itself, it takes time money and effort.

So does a racing team, hence we need your donations to run next year. Even the big factory teams require sponsorship, they have massive budgets and are very successfull, so they can go to the big companies with their cap in hand and offer them ful ltelevision coverage as they are all front runners. We are a small privateer team, running on a fraction of the cost of the big teams......we know we are not front runners, but that is reflected in our budget.

Earlier in the year, i was speaking to Bruce Anstey's mechanic and friend who told me that Bruce, a TT winner last year and this year, did not have his rides fully sorted for the 03 TT races, and he could get him to ride for us if we wanted. This would give us a top rider on our bike...but our budget just doubled / trebled. Bruce as a top rider, wants all his expenses paid, and whatever he wants on the bikes sorting asap. He does not overly worry about spending his sponsors money, if you want him to be a front runner/winner, he needs the right equipement. Our/my budget would not run to funding him, plus i didn't want to upset our rider Dave, who was always going to be our rider, and i would of had to sack dave to get bruce.

From what i understand about the site and its memebers, people love this place, they love to know that they are part of the worldwide GSXR members club. I love it too. a real feeling of belonging. Which is why i was more than happy to run the gixxer.com logos on the bikes and the shirts for this years races.

I want to do the same again next year, but i cannot do it without your help and money. Our privateer team cost £10,000 for this years TT races, thats money for ferries, tyres, fuel, oil, transport, entry fees, spares, accomodation , bodywork etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc the list goes on and on, thats money on top of supplying and sorting the 3 bikes

there are over 20,000 gixxer.com members, so if everyone donated $1 USD, we would have more than enough money. in reality, not everyone would donate hence my requesting ideas for raising the money. If you guys dont want to donate or be part of the team, then thats fine with me, i've got 11 months to go and find another sponsor. We need sponsors to help pay for us to go to the TT. I would rather it was funded by the gixxer.com family than anyone else

The video idea is a good one, but will probably be a non runner. Duke Video own all the rights to the TT coverage, and to put a camera on the bike, you have to ask the race committee's permission and also from Duke video. I cannot see either of them agreeing to let us do our own thing as Duke video make their money from selling the videos and DVD's of the races

I am trying to find ways that you guys can be part of the team, a real sense of belonging to the team, knowing you helped get us there, so when you read our reports and see us briefly on the television, you can feel good about yourself and feel part of it knowing you helped make it happen

please keep your ideas and responses either good or bad comming

thanks

Eric

 

[mtmra70]

FYI, may want to shoot this into the General Bike forum as soon as details are worked out. I know myself and many others dont visit the stunting/racing forum

 

[Eric the viking]

i think that once we have decided how to proceed, raffle/ donations etc, mr Gixxer will post it on the site news for all to see

Eric

 

[Liu Kang]

Mr Gixxer said:
Gixxer.com did donate to the TT efforts, but it also costs money to run this site.

Maybe if we charged a $100 a year for you to be a member we could fully finance the race team.

And many of the site sponsors (probably half of them paid no cash money at all) donate prizes that we in turn give away to you guys, so don't go thinking we get rich from banner ads!

Donating to the TT efforts is a feel good thing for the members to do, much like donating to a church or other cause - what is in it for you is to know that your small contribution helped in some way.

I agree with you, 100% -- except I'd never give money to a church and feel good about it

Again, I'm a huge fan of the TT, and will gladly support the efforts for a gixxer.com bike/team. Let's look at the bright side, at least there's time to properly organize fund raising for next year.

 

[racy_girl]

It may be 11 months until the 2004 TT - but the team need cash and commitment of further funds before the end of this year.
Maybe we could have a higher profile on the site as others have suggested, not everyone looks at every forum.

 

[MPNX2]

Quig said:

I guess the TT kinda sneaks up on us in the states.

--Quig.

I will have to agree with Quig on that statement. By the time I saw the post I was watching the TT on Speedvision. I would definitely add some donations to help out. A couple of T-shirts might be nice as well.

When things have been decided you can count on my support. I will keep my eyes open this year.