Thunder on the Ohio racers still owed $90,000

American Boat Racing Association (ABRA) chairman Sam Cole says "Show Me the Money."

Stunned and surprised by the Freedom Festival board's announcement Friday that it is giving up the event, Cole still wants to get paid.

What should be done about the $90,000 still owed to Thunder on the Ohio racers?

See the results »

View previous polls »

"We are actually negotiating with them to pay us," he said on Sunday. "They still owe us $90,000. We've worked with these guys for 30 years."

The Thunder on the Ohio purse has been $160,000 for each of the last four years. The purse is paid to ABRA, which then disburses 80 percent to the race teams and keeps 20 percent for its expenses.

Cole said ABRA was paid $25,000 between March and June and an additional $45,000 on June 29 after the 30th annual Thunder on the Ohio unlimited hydroplane race.

When asked why ABRA has not been paid in full, Cole said: "(The board) basically told us the sponsorship money hadn't been paid."

Theoretically, the Freedom Festival committee should have paid ABRA half the money in advance and the remaining on race weekend, Cole said.

"Candidly, because of our relationship with (Thunder race director and ABRA board member) Tom (Sawyer), we gave them the benefit of the doubt," Cole said.

Sawyer confirmed Sunday that ABRA still is owed $90,000 and that the Freedom Festival still owed other creditors besides the racers. He said if the Freedom Festival board liquidates all of its assets, it eventually should be able to pay all its debts.

While ABRA has enlisted the services of attorney Tony Goebel of Madison, Ind., no lawsuits have been filed, said Cole, who is hoping the matter will be resolved.

Cole said he plans to call Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel's office Monday.

"Our goal is to continue racing there," Cole said. "If they need to start a new organization, they should e-mail us. We know the hydroplane race has always been financially sound, at least in my experience. Maybe there have been some up and down years, but it's that way anywhere in business. I don't think they should sacrifice something that has been there for 30 years for infighting on the board of directors."

He was told during an ABRA meeting Aug. 11 that everything would be resolved in the next couple of weeks.

"Then — wham — this thing (rumors of the resignation of the Freedom Festival board) comes late Thursday night," Cole said. "That's why this is such a big surprise. I just don't want to get caught up in the middle of a political thing with an air show that they've been fighting over for two or three years."

Cole was incensed by the comments made by former Thunder Air Vice President Gary McDowell in Saturday's Courier & Press. McDowell said the money spent on the boat races in recent years was not a cost-effective use of Freedom Festival funds.

"It has cost more for the air show in recent years, more than the hydroplanes, particularly the Blue Angels," Cole said.

Ed Cooper Jr., owner of the U-3 hydroplane, locally sponsored by Master Tire, said there has been an ongoing battle between the hydroplane and air show people for the last five or six years.

"There has been this disagreement between the airplane and the boat people (over) who brings in the income," Cooper said. "It sounds like there are a lot of politics involved."


  • Discuss
  • Print

Comments » 78

Ryno writes:

well this pretty much means, Thats All Folks.

Randini writes:

Boring races and air show. Good riddance.

oneamartcookie writes:

Poll results indicate that the respondents think the City of Evansville should pay the debt. What a missinformed and utterly stupid position for people to take. The City DID NOT INCUR THIS DEBT.

The City does not put on the fall festival either but should they be able to confiscate the profits? Same thing. How so many people can think the city has any resposibility for this is just beyond belief.

Let the Freedom Festival board work this out.

By the way, Sam Cole knows that the numbers don't work for hydroplane racing. The nonsense he spouts in this article is just hyperbole.

blackbear#27350 writes:

Why have they not payed it off??? Where has the money went???? Wich one person was the one that took care of the money??? IT looks like some one had there hand in the pot. If not they should had came out and ask the people for help Has ever one payed there money that was owed to freedom. If there is money owed there name should be put in the paper..

retiredminer writes:

Who are the sponsors that haven't paid their share?

hellodolly writes:

If they didn't pay their bills, where did the money go?

retiredminer writes:

Each board member should be asked, who owes the sponsorship money and print it for the public to read.

Warden writes:

Its a matter of what is RIGHT. The right thing to do is pay the money - however FF can - pay it.
A letter should have gone out to creditors that would explain any problem and a date when these people would get their money. Somebody dropped the ball on this one big time.
But to then announce, in the newspaper, that the board was quitting - can anyone not see something fishy, corrupt and smelling bad?

If Weinzapfel bails them out, he is a fool and not doing what is best for this city. It is NOT HIS BILL.

frodo137 writes:

Income during Blue Angle years is phenomenal when they can't be booked secondary and much less level of entertainment fill the slots.

Freedom Festival is a wonderful tradition and tribute to our country's democracy. Our forces entered into battle that liberated the world and we can't honor that and be know throughout the country as a community that stands for that tradition?!!

Our Mayor's Office passed this responsibility on to a volunteer committee instead of an accountable, paid staff. We are reaping that result of financial failure, poor events (dog jumping????????) and unenthusiastic leadership.

If this event is canceled, our community will appear inadequate in the arena of a national #1 USA selected City. Convention Bureau RISE UP!

As for me I liked the heat, the excitement the boats but this year, watching where I walked in flip plops due to "dog jumping". I passed on this one.

Don't let THIS tradition go to the dogs!

urallidiots writes:

I think this could be the end of the Freedom Festival folks. Unless someone can come up with some new venue ideas, the event is not that entertaining. We can't keep waiting each year for the Blue Angles to come back...they won't! We were lucky to get them like we did.

One problem is the hydroplane races are very dull and the sport is dead. Come on, only 4 laps per race and the time in between heats...YAWWWWWWNNNN. This sport makes Soccer fun to watch.

SO...let's hear from all you freedom festival lovers. Come up with some new fresh ideas. Post your ideas!

oneamartcookie writes:


The money did not go into an education system that produced that senseless string of words! Maybe the Freedom Fest manages money as well as Blackbear writes.

oneamartcookie writes:

Do the people of Madison, IN cry like babies over a $25 admission? Did the race in Madison have a cash shortfall?

The people of Evansville cried as though they were robbed over a $15 admission that lasted over 4 days and offered other forms of entertainment to boot. At $15 per ticket and a $200,000 cost to hold the event then 14,000 race fans need to purchase a button just to break even. Has that ever happened just due to hydroplanes? The answer is a resounding NO!

The same crybabies pay $15 for a movie and popcorn, $50 to go to Holiday World, and $30 for a carton of cigarettes. I guess that shows the Freedom Festival just how valuable the people think it is.

If Evansville is unwilling to pay for hydroplanes then there will be no hydroplanes.

Blackstone writes:

Well if they do scuttle FF, one of the benefits may be that the average cholesterol count for the area should drop a few points.

And no, the city should not underwrite this debt.

cardinalfan writes:

FYI, the total cost for the 4-day event was actually closer to $600,000. The sponsors did their part as always. The problem is, nobody wants to buy a button. Onesmartcookie has it exactly right, if people whine about $15 for a four-day event yet will pay that or more for movies, concerts etc, it would seem to indicate the majority of people don't support the festival.

retiredminer writes:

Wondering how a new arena downtown is going to draw a crowd with ice hockey?

retiredminer writes:

Wondering why the Frog Follies packs area hotels for 3 days? Maybe because it is affordable family oriented and not just another place to consume large amounts of alcohol.

medic4207 writes:

OK, I'm not going to complain about the $20 fee, although their timing couldn't have been worse to raise the fees with everything costing so much. I'll pay 20 bucks for good entertainment, there just hasn't been much at Thunder recently... Dog jumping - give me a break!!! That's an insult to the people who paid money. Remember Mike Harvey's Super Gold and Deb Turner's show? All you have is country music at one end and punk rock at Aztar's plaza. Nothing for the rest of us. Don't blame the boats - Madison does quite well with them. Poor planning is the reason Thunder is failing.

TooMuchInformation writes:

Long live the air shows and let the hydroplanes fade away...

radioriot#161981 writes:

The main difference between Evansville and Madison is that Madison is a real river town. They love their river, they are boating and race boating fans. For the last 30 years that I have lived here, Evansville has done all it could to ignore the river. As you drive by it now in a normal sized car, you can barely see the river. And most residents don't go boating. The 1937 flood changed the way Evansville saw the river and the riverfront was made into a fortress agaisnt the river. I understand that in the 1950's was a place to swim in the river on the Evansville side, but that went away as well.

As for the excitement of Hydroplane racing... for all that Bernie Little did to improve the safety and speed of Hydros, he also killed much of the excitemnt by going to the turbine engines and losing the "Thunder" and the excitement. The Evansville course is nearly the same size as the Indy 500 track, but on water you can't tell that. The "Thunder" allowed you to feel the excitement and speed. Indy cars tried the turbines once and quickly got rid of them. Can you imagine Indy or NASCAR without the noise? Bring back the pistons and you will bring back the excitement. But I think it is too late for that.

Just plan another street fest with local food and entertainment and the Freedom Fest will rise from the ashes and live again.

complaintdept writes:

From what I have seen in recent past...the FF is not any fun. What if you don't like boat races and huge crowds blocking your view even if you did like them? What if going deaf by watching a plane fly back and forth just isn't your thing? I admit there's a lot of people who like this sort of thing but, and I don't mean this to sound the way I know people will take it...most of those who enjoy that stuff are either old or have little kids. And of them who wants to pay the $15 per person to go deaf? I'll take a $40 dollar ticket plus the price of gas to Splashin Safari anytime over the FF...that's my thing. Movie goers...same thing. You have to appeal to those looking for something to do or you won't make it. The FF is boring and because of it...people don't go.
The FALL festival is where it's at! Everyone eats and most of us eat with a passion, especially with a deep fried candy bar staring at us. No fancy boats, no deafening jets...just good ol food and lots of it.

topsyturvy writes:

Posted by evvlugnut on August 18, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

More fiscal incompetence from Weinzapfel!

Pay these people what they are owed.

I think evvlugnut has a loose lugnut. Weinzapfel has nothing to do with this. It is not the city that is in default on this matter.
Go find another site to troll on.

bananas82 writes:

I have grown up on Evansville's west side and as far as I remember we have always gone to the Freedom Festival, as well as the Fall Festival. In my opinion, both of the festivals are staples of Evansville traditions. Would it not be a shame to lose either of them?

I am glad to say that I do not have tatoos, pit bulls or 4 children (but what's wrong with kids). And my husband and I have ALL of our teeth thank you! I don't think that you are being fair. After all it is called a FREEDOM festival, so shouldn't ALL people be FREE to come??

As far as I am concerned I would hate to lose the Freedom Festival forever. Maybe it needs to be updated a bit, but I think it could still be a great thing to have! And if you don't like the way people look when you go there, stay home!

topsyturvy writes:

Posted by retiredminer on August 18, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)


Couldn't have said it better myself.

About all those comments about paying high prices for movies, Holiday World, etc. I don't do that either.
I used to go to Thunder when it first started. I agree that the pistons made you "feel the thunder."
The air shows are nice and they do help us to understand what some of our pilots might go through in wars.
However, I cannot afford to take six grandchildren to Thunder and why would I want to take them to a place filled with alcohol toting, scantily clad, people and their dogs walking around everywhere.

Maybe FF needs to set up food booths outside the fenced off areas so people who don't want to be around the above-mentioned factors could at least go down there and enjoy some food and fun.
Bring back Mike Harvey. Bring in some kid-oriented areas throughout downtown.

In the meantime, FF board needs to pay off their debt.
It is not the City of Evansville's debt, however, if not paid, it will not look good on the city as a whole.

aramis94#127431 writes:

I think Weinzapful should hire a consulting firm out of Indianapolis for about $292,000.00 to study and determine the best solution for this problem. Should we immediately repay the debt for a city sponsored event, or renovate the existing event in hopes of drawing a larger crowd next year that will afford the opportunity of repaying the former debt, as well as the debt incurred within that year. I'm sure the Mayor will come up with the answer, once some one gives it to him.

backhomeagain writes:

I haven't been in years. Had nothing to do with button prices and everything to do with the crowd. Far too many drunks, poorly behaved teens with firecrackers, drugs and bad attitudes, add to that unwatched small children too close to the water and a police force that seems far more interested in making time with females in barely there clothing. Yes I know arrests are made during the races but it never seems to be enough of them to make an impact on the behavior of the crowd. Way to go Evansville! What an impression we make.

flaggirl writes:

should have kept "Drums on the Ohio" and let the rest go!

maclee4427 writes:

Every sense the boat races began all I ever hear after the festival is that it doesn't make any money it's always in the red. If this is true why even bother to have the races in the first place. I used to go years ago, but when they did away with the riverfront park I quit going. Years ago you set up canopys all along where Casino Aztar is now and have some shade to sit in. Now you have to go all the way down by the Museum to set up any kind Canopy to get out of the sun, and that is not a very good vantage point to see all of the action. Let the boat racing go, and come up with some new ideas concerning the Freedom Festival. Also bar any of the board members who previously have been involved with the Freeddom Festival from participating in anything in the future.

Porman writes:

I lived in Evansville for many years and still try to make it back to visit the weekend of the boat races. I would just like to ask the city, you lost the Triplets years ago, Evansville basketball is trying to get back with a competitive schedule, so what sports do you really have? The boats have been a great tradition and if a city like Madison can bring in 60,000 fans to watch the race and no air show, why can't Evansville bring in 30,000 fans at $10 each? And if the boat races cost $200,000, where does the extra $600,000 go? Somebody is mismanaging this and it needs to be cleaned up. And if you lose the boat races, you have just lost another sporting event. Small time thinking for a community that needs some real vision.

SeatoSea writes:

Don’t cash checks if you don’t have the money. Of course the money is miss-managed… as if that were a surprise. This makes our city look like trash. The FF Board made this mess. They should not be allowed to leave until it is sorted out and fixed and the members held accountable. It is now more obvious than ever before that these people shouldn’t be trusted with that kind of money. As for the Festival itself...there are few good viewing areas if your business doesn't purchase tent space along the fence. It's too far down at the museum to really watch the race. There is not place to really watch. The environment is not very "small kid" friendly. There is a small area for crafts and that's about it. Most of the crowd is sweaty, stinky and inappropriately dressed. The main attraction, in recent years, was the Blue Angels and the rest of the air show. Instead of one of the beer gardens maybe there could be a small carnival with rides. If you keep the boats then there needs to be more areas with bleachers for people to actually view the races without attempting to see over those in front of you. At $10 per ticket, plus whatever food you buy, few people leave feeling as though they got there moneys worth.

pilz writes:

The Mayor is responsible for the debt because he put a member of GAGE on the Freedon Festival board and his job was to get the sponsorship money. He got the sponsorships, but spent it on his pet projects. The boat people were told that all the normal sponsorships had come in as usual, but it wasn't until a week or two before the race that they found out it had been spent elsewhere.

SouthSide writes:

Get rid of the boring boat races and bring in something fresh! The dog agility competition was a great example of something new and different. Too bad it wasn't publicized well. All the publicity focuses on the boats and airplanes. The new FF organizers (whoever they may be now) should put out a survey - online and in the newspaper, Evansville Living, etc., to find out what will really bring people in. I saw a survey asking some of these questions a while back from the CVB, I think. I filled that one out, and I'll continue giving the city my feedback as often as they want it. It's time for something fresh in the FF.

hiway2 writes:

I have lived in Evansville for 37 years and went to the FF for the first 5 years. After that I thought I would rather not be involved with a bunch of drunks and mean kids shooting off their mouths and firecrackers. I didn't want my kids around near-naked people with foul mouths. I'm a child and dog lover. I feel children under 5 years old shouldn't be at any event like this EVER. ALL dogs should be left at home in comfy conditions. If this could all be curbed, maybe FF would be alive again!! Conditions should be kept comfortable for all, not for just a few. Finally, this is NOT the CITIES DEBT and should be paid with the monies brought in by the sponsors and however else they received the money. The races and air show is great!!!

srweb00 writes:

I have been drunk at several FF shows and loved it. I amhope to be drunk and half neked with everyone next year as well!!

TAH8980 writes:

With gas this past summer at $4 a gallon why would a family of 3 pay $45 to get in the FF? Then end up purchasing $20 in food and drinks. You are up to $65 for one day. Maybe if you planned on spending all 4 days there and an additional $20 per day maybe it would be worth it but my money is too valuable. We can't even put a full tank of gas in our cars for what it would cost us to have gone to the FF.

I think the FF is a wonderful thing and I don't want to see it leave. I also understand that with the prices of everything rising they had to raise their button prices also. I do think that people are conserving more and more. It's all relative, the vendors and others are charging more therefore they have to charge more for admission where as people are trying to save more.

Conservative writes:

The FF has changed in the past 5 years. It has become more family oriented....with free games and inflatables for the young ones. Admission is free for children. So, admission for a family of four was $30 if you purchased the button prior to the weekend. I think that is pretty good for 3 days of entertainment. We used the buttons for the air show at Riverfront, static displays at the airport, hydroplane qualification and races, bierstubes, concerts, etc.

I have noticed a drop in drunk, immature behavior as well. I now feel very comfortable taking my spouse and children down there.

glen writes:

Where is TFC with one of his "Obama the savior will save the FF and it will be free to everyone next year" spouts?

Krissykay8 writes:

Conservative- I hope you are right and they have cleaned it up. I have been to Madison and it is a nice river town where the river seems to be cleaner and it appeared to be more family friendly. I have not been down to the freedom fest since I was in high school or maybe college. It was dirty and the whole toothless, stinky trashy people reputation was more than earned. Metallica t-shirts, mullets, men in lovely tank tops, ski and drinking beer in excess could be found every where. Now, I am a mom and I would NEVER take my boys to the Freedom Fest. I don't even want them to go out on the river. The last time I was out there it was not for children and really not for me. I left the beer bong on spring break freshman year of college. I have heard about Ski Day and the poor behavior that exists in the boating crowd. I know it isn't everyone, but a few have given every one a bad reputation. If we wanted a boat, I would go to KY Lake, Barkley or Patoka. However, if what you say is true, and it is more family friendly, they need to promote it. I have no way of knowing that it isn't the same trash fest it was before. Bad press isn't they way to change people's minds.

myturn writes:

Conservative is right. The FF isn't the "party" it used to be. Much more reserved crowd these days. The ones who want to get wild and crazy tend to save that for "ski day". You're kids would be fine there.

4evansville writes:

Radioriot is exactly right in my opinion. Madison truly appreciates their riverfront and it is very beautiful.
And the Boats - while I loved them dearly for many years - just don't provide the entertainment they once did.
The Mayor is not responsible for this debt. The Freedom Festival should reorganize - yet again - and find a street festival featuring great food and one large entertainment venue like a huge band on a barge in front of the riverfront. Now there is something to celebrate!

big_thinker writes:

All not-for-profit boards, not just the FF, need to realize that the way to make money is to make the budget leaner and to look for affordable draws for a crowd, NOT to inflate the budget and hope for a return on that inflation.

voice_of_reason writes:

Great. I guess that means I'm never going to see that $3.00 they borrowed from me for a happy meal.

oldgrayphart writes:

top 10 reasons why the FF is dying (may be dead...haven't looked in the last 10 minutes!)
10) HOT! Nothing like standing or sitting on concrete or asphalt in 95 degree weather for hours.
9) Boring! 3 minutes of "racing" followed by an hour of taking bets with others as to how soon you will begin to smell like over-cooked bacon.
8)Paying $5 for the priviledge of parking a mile away.
7-2) See the 3 reasons listed above.

the Number 1 reason the FF is dying or dead.............NOBODY CARES.

Cap109 writes:

Remember the 80's when you couldn't find a place to sit because there were so many people. Boat racing has just lost it's popularity and switching classes did not help the matter. Plain and simple the F.F. people should have seen the trend of lack luster numbers years ago and found a new draw. This is a real shame. We can blame button prices all we want but the fact is why pay any price for an event you just don't care about? I mean boat racing? Please, most people know just as much about field hockey. I guess it's too late now. Cough up the money already and let's move on.

hobbs018 writes:

One of the most beautiful sights you will ever see is 6 unlimited hydroplanes coming off of turn 2 lined up side by side for the start of the final. Roostertails flying and sponsons dancing, you can't tell me that isn't exciting. Keep it alive in Evansville. The board made the right decision. With the proper management this race can be much better. Quit trying to convert the race to an airshow. Let Terre Haute, Dayton, Oshkosh etc. handle that. We are a boat racing town. The 2.5 litres have been good to augment the Unlimiteds, but bring a full fledged inboard race to fill in the days activities. You want Thunder, bring some 5 litres and the Unlimited lights back. This is such a great event for the community, and we could make it so much more with the right personnel in place.

Riverrat01 writes:

The boat races draw more people than the "reports" show. Most of the time, the only people that respond to polls are the disgruntled ones who want to vent...not the majority that had a good time. How many here think to say something nice to someone who does a good job? Or do you just wait for the person to do something you don't like and then pounce? The boat races are an important part of the Festival and the city. It brings in many people who wouldn't ordinarily visit and those people also spend money on lodging, food, shopping, etc. The volunteers at the festival are the nicest and most helpful I have ever found for a city-wide event. Please keep the race!!!!


Tah Tah FF and good riddance!! R-I-P... O-F-F!!!

hydroinsider writes:

We love the hydroplanes and wait all year for the Madison and Evansville events so that we can watch them. Not only is it great sport, but it's an economic driver for Evansville.. what other event brings in out-of-towners to spend there $$ at this level - and for multiple days?

complaintdept writes:

The racing ought to's not working anymore. It should be pay-as-you-go, so that everybody can feel welcome to go no matter if they have the $ or not. You want people to come...get Aztar involved and pay a headline act to perform at Hoosiers or outside somewhere. We are more of a casino town than a boat town anyway, and for my money Mickey Gilley or Pat Benatar is way more entertaining than some stupid gas guzzling boats. Let Aztar give out free gambling coupons and watch the riverfront fill up.

complaintdept writes:

Frog Follies and the Fall Festival draw lots more attention than the freedom festival. Perhaps if they could schedule all 3 things within the same week and advertise it as one big gigantic bigger than life could draw in more people than Mardi Gras. Advertisement, advertisement, advertisement! Build it up to be something huge!

Looking writes:

Obviously some of you had a bad experience of how the festival used to be 20 years ago and never returned. Sad to see it judged on one bad time. It is very family friendly, there are lots of different activities for everyone and for $15 for 4 days entertainment, very affordable. Those of you that haven't been to the river, "because it's dirty and has dirty people", should give it a try and come back. It's a great resource for the city and should be enjoyed.

As for the lack of competetion, once again a lot of you are going on years past as a reference. Since the ABRA took over, the sport has enjoyed the best racing it has ever seen. More new teams, more new owners, more new young drivers, more competition than ever. Before you base the sport from the Miss Bud days, you should look again. You'd be pleaseantly surprised.

What I'd fix at the 2009 Freedom Festival:1) have local food vendors. Surely the churches and non profits that do the Fall Fest would come down and sale. The prices would be cheaper and we would know who we are buying from. 2) More boat racing. Add the 2.5 litres again, other inboard classes would love to race in Evansville and for gosh sakes invite the Unlimited Lights back. This class puts on a great show and for some reason this board doen't want them back. Get them back! They have a terriffic young lady, Kayleigh Perkins, driving and winnning races as a Lights driver. 3) More boats you have, the more that's going on all the time. No down time at all. Other race sites to this. Why can't we. There are tons of different classes we could get to race here. They just need to be invited.

It would be a huge loss if we lost the hydroplanes just because a few on the board mismanaged the money. Let's hope our city can find a way out of this mess and we'll be racing in 2009!
