Nats notes...

[Dave_Trible]

We will be sharing Muncie with the Iron Man crowd again the first weekend.  Friday night rates at the ‘low end’ hotels are over $200 and just a little cheaper Saturday.  I’d get on the stick about reservations.  The reasonable hotels are already booked solid back west to Fishers.  I elected to stop in Indy Friday and come on in Saturday morning.  You may wish to make similar plans if you plan to be there for the Sunday events.

Dave

BTW..  As of today registration is OPEN for business.

[Dave_Trible]

I received a message today from AMA.  As of now they are still optimistic about the Nats in July but they are monitoring current events.  For now keep building..........

Dave

[Derek Barry]

Thanks for the update Dave!

Derek

[Dave_Trible]

This is NOT about the Nats- yet- but AMA is scrubbing all contest sanctions until after at least May 31st.  FYI.

Dave

[John Leidle]

  Dave ,
    Maybe reschedule our NATS for Labor Day... a better option I'd say.
  John L.

[Dave_Trible]

John I just don't know what they will do yet (sure they don't either).  I know it will be a mammoth thing to push it all back considering the Nats takes about five weeks in total to run, then whatever other events typically go on at the Muncie site.  They have always tried to get it all over before school starts in the fall.  We will see.  I'd hope to know something either way fairly soon.  It is impossible to do much more planning etc. until we know.  The whole show for us is basically on hold........As you may know the site is closed down for now and the AMA folks who can are working from home.

Dave

[Peter in Fairfax, VA]

My impression from the AMA site is that May events are still on the calendar, at least for now.  They are offering "free reschedule," but do not seem to have a ban. 

[Dave_Trible]

It seems they are reaching out individually to the CD's listed on specific events at this point.

Dave

[John Leidle]

  Thanks Dave ,
   At this stage of the game being done before school starts hardly applies ( most of us are retired) unless we're raising our grandkids.
                     Not trying to load you up Dave, and thanks for getting back to me with a very professional & complete answer.                                                   
                                                John L.

[Dave_Trible]

April 8th. Update:  I wanted to share what we know as of today.  For now AMA is saying we are still a ‘go’ but they are monitoring.  The site is still closed but key people are working from home.  They set an arbitrary date to decide whether to cancel or go of June 10th.  I’d think if they decide to cancel we might know a little sooner.
In the event the Nats are still on we convened an PAMPA Executive Counsel meeting with some added guests;  former PAMPA presidents, former EDs and some other usual suspects to talk about option and contingency plans in case we actually DO have the Nats this year.
One thing we universely accept is that our turn out will be down-or way down.  There will a few directly affected by the virus.  Many have or will have their finances seriously damaged.  Some may choose to use vacation time to stay home a while.  There may still be some interstate travel restrictions.  It is likely even if they open things up the virus will still lurk out there and create apprehension to travel.
If we get a ‘go’ in the last few weeks prior it will be a challenge to get prepared in time including ordering trophies, etc.  Being in the spot of not knowing what will happen we have made no effort to raise funds either.  Some of this will not be offset through donations so the bill will need to be covered more from the PAMPA treasury.
We’ve had concerns in case some of our judges couldn’t make it as well as contestants.  After looking over several options I have decided (so blame me) to try to run as close to the regular weeks’ schedule as possible including the unofficial events on Sunday.  If our count is low for Open we may for the first time have a Top 16 or Top 12, however the computer program dictates.  If the count is below 15 in Open we MAY combine the two Qualifying days into one and finish Friday instead of Saturday.  All for now.   BTW. Current pre- entries as of today:  Open-3,  Advanced: 1.

[John Leidle]

   Thanks Dave,
  I'd prefer June 1st but the 10th is better than the 11th.
    Thanks again , John L.

[John Lindberg]

Any new entries?

[Dave_Trible]

Any new entries?

They seem only to update the list every week-ten days.  I’ll check next week.  It’s totally understandable for everyone to hold on to their Benjamin until we know if the event will happen.