Looks like it's not just Myrtle Beach pulling out...

http://hrca.honda.com/Articles/Artic...icle_50057.xml

Honda has pulled the money to support it...They must be having hard times too...

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/de...ed/?printer=1/

 

WTF,is this country getting in bad shape or what?

 

This country, as we knew it, is now the ObamaNation.

We are all scared. Even him. He's thinking, "I wish I stayed in community organizing."

 

This is totally different from the issue in Myrtle Beach. The NC & SC H-D dealers did NOT pull the plug on this 76 year old event. Seems as though a few non bikers on the city council decided this for all the taxpayers without a vote. Let's hope the current council will be removed over the next 2 to 4 years over this stupid economic decision.

The Hoot was very nice rally, I attended a number of them in Asheville, NC and Knoxville, TN over the years.

In this particular situation I guess the motorcycle industry isn't exempt from the current situation.

 

Honda motorcycles, especially American Honda has been taking it in the shorts for awhile now. Their sales and market share in the big bike markets of Europe and North America were in decline even when the MC biz was booming (2005-06). From seeing what they have to offer at trade shows, etc. it seems as if Big Red isn't even making an effort anymore. Compared to the rest of the Japs they are just phoning it in. Too much money in making cars I imagine.

 

Honda Hoot was a factory sponsored event. Myrtle Beach was a host city for a couple bike rallies.

In other crappy news for 2009...Honda has pulled out of AMA road racing and Formula One (auto) racing. Also, Kawasaki pulled out of the MotoGP.

 

City-sponsored events always tread a line between one segment of society and another, and whoever has the most economic clout usually wins. The city of Long Beach, CA hosts two events that impact me directly. One is the Grand Prix race, the other is the Gay Pride fest, because the area for the race and the fest are both in/near downtown, which is where I keep my boat, at Shoreline Marina. The race is the worst because it takes two months to set up, ten days to run with press days, etc, and then two months to take down. During those ten days, access to the marina is restricted, and the crowds and traffic make it nearly impossible to get into the marina on race weekend. Same with the gay-fest. On that weekend, there are parades, outdoor live music, and multitudes of people. Access to the marina is non-existant for certain days, even for boat owners. But, the hotels, restaurants and bars are packed for both events, and the city is unwilling to give up the revenue it generates, so we boat owners are forced to plan accordingly and not use our boats during these times. Other city-sponsored events such as Cajun Days, the Jazz Fest, boat shows, etc, also impact us with traffic hassles and access restrictions. Slip-holders used to get a break on rates at that marina, one of two the city operates, but not anymore. But, all-in-all, it's a piddely complaint. Things could be a lot worse.

 

Kinda lame that they canceled the whole thing. So maybe attendance will be down, so what? Talk about tucking tail and running when the times get tough.

 

Honda will think of something sooner or later...thats alot of PR to miss out on.....

 

I agree that it's probably more a political move than anything else. I can imagine what the local small business folks are sweating now - another loss for them I bet.