Here is a little info/update on our Team for those that don't know... Sorry to plaster it here... but we're a little behind on funds... so looking for anything we can get. Those that know me know I never ask for things, I'm a giver! haha. I feel like an ass asking people/companies for suppport... but whatcha gunna do, we need cash, haha. All future updates will be on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/FralickRacing
(as you all know) My name is Andrew, I race boats, it has been 6 days since I’ve been in my race boat. Haha. Yes I am an addict. But there is no cure for this. As an addict, one of the things on my bucket list as long as I can remember has been to compete at real World Championship event and represent Canada. Well it is going to happen, in just 45 days. Graham and I received a personal invite to the World Championships for one of our classes back in February. The race is in the southwest of England this October and our expense budget to get there with our equipment is $11,000. This does not include the hull and engine (which will be borrowed since our motor is not legal for the World Championships). So we must be addicts.
The race is 10 days long and takes place in the Atlantic Ocean near where the English Channel starts. The first two days are Circuit racing, like we do here in Canada, but in the ocean and not a small lake. 9 lap heats around a 1km course, several heats to determine the winner. Then a day off before the 115km marathon race down the coasts of England than includes 1 pit/fueling stop and 3 beaching stops at spectator areas where Graham has to jump out of the boat, do a 100 yard dash up the beach around a marker and back to the boat for the next leg of the race. Then a day off before the 3 day Surf Cross events… another 1km track shaped like an “M” that is in the 6’-14’ crashing surf zone of the ocean! You score points at each event and the one with the most at the end wins! More details on the event can be found on our website listed below.
The races will have live online timing and GPS receiver so you can watch what’s going on from here. They will be recorded for TV… not sure at this point if you’d be able to watch it on the internet in some way.
Here is an example of some racing if you’ve never seen our ThunderCat. This is the lead team in South Africa. We have the same hull and borrow the same engine (boat is made in South Africa).
Boost Team South Africa:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mogPq9MhHzU
We’ll be the first team to ever go from Canada. This class is new in the last few years here. We’re quite excited to be going and representing as Team Canada. 80 teams from 15 countries are expected. This sport and event is IOC Olympic Committee recognized. But the Canadian Olympic sport associations and the government of Canada do not help with support any team that uses an engine, even if IOC recognized, so we are on our own. (Have a $10,000 bicycle, $50,000 bobsled, or $100,000 sail boat… the support is there for IOC sports though. Can’t tell me those sports results do not depend on the vehicle performance)
I’ve saved up over half the money so far, $6,000. And we’ve fund raised through sponsors and donations another $3,000 or so. We’re still working hard to get another $2,000. Some of you have already donated and that is great! Thank you! No need to do so again, just updating you with some info in here. We’ve received donations from $1-$2 up to $500 and everything in between. It is all greatly appreciated and any amount makes a difference. We have donation boxes at all our races and events we attend.
Anyway… if anyone would like to make any size donation, let me know, or drop some pocket change in the box at an event. Or you can do it online (even anonymously) with a credit card via our crowd funding account (it is secure):
http://www.gofundme.com/Team-Canada
Anyone who donates $40 or more is welcome to an official Team Canada - Fralick Racing t-shirt while supplies last. (If you already donated this amount or more, we know and have a shirt aside for you). Shirts will be available at the Dunnville event on August 24-25.
No pressure to donate though! But we would really like it if you’re on Facebook to please “like” our team page. This makes a big difference with our sponsors, and keeps you up to date during the event too!
And a special shout out to the companies who are helping us out!
Midland USA - http://www.midlandusa.com – great radios and helmet communicators and action/helmet cameras! 1080p for $150!
HydroTurf Canada - http://www.Jet-unit.com – awesome boat padding… and they do stuff for trailers, motorcycles, pleasure boats, watersports like PWC, SUP and Kayaks, etc.
Fralick Boats - http://www.fralickboats.com – your source for all you boat racing hardware and accessory needs, plus Championship and speed record winning boat plan designs.
James Hunter Equipment – http://www.machinerytrader.com/dealers/ ... id=2954748 - need any vintage outboard or heavy equipment parts… they are the people!
Stuck on Décor – http://www.stuckondecor.com (coming soon) - awesome easily removable home décor wall graphics (put your race boat on your man cave wall!)… also regular sign/decal/automotive graphics.
RAM Mounts - http://www.rammount.com – brackets so you can mount any electronic piece of equipment to any thing you can dream up!
Coleman Outdoor UK - http://www.coleman.eu/uk - camping gear, tail gate party gear, outdoor gear, canopies, and tons of great stuff.
NGK Spark Plugs Canada and UK - http://www.ngksparkplugs.com – the only spark plug we use in our engine!
Top Gun Marine – http://www.topgunmarine.ca – Your first and only stop for high performance boat engine parts, service and maintenance and more.
Aquarius Inflatables - www.aquariusinflatablesna.com - go buy one of these boats there! Awesome for at the cottage and with the family!
Amsoil UK - http://www.amsoiluk.com – Amsoil… the only oil we use in our cars, boats, bikes, anything… it’s simply the best in our minds.
Regardless… wish us luck, and cheer us on in your thoughts. We leave on October 2nd. We’re on the water for test sessions starting on October 4th and racing starts on October 5th.
Thanks for your time everyone!
Andrew and Graham
Team Canada ThunderCat – Fralick Racing
http://www.facebook.com/FralickRacing
http://www.TeamCanadaThunderCat.weebly.com
Twitter: @FralickRacing
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