On March 9th, Neill Barber (one of this country’s longest registered car audio competitors) makes THIS POST requesting that someone up the ante at SPRING FLING [It's a big car show in Panama City that's been going on for 20 something years]

So various promoters, including Casey from this forum, attempt to get something happening. And by happening I mean make it a 2x IASCA AND a 2x db Drag show (you know, it’s what everyone considers an awesome show that makes your time worth while, attracts the big dogs from out of the wood work, and gets everyone official world finals scores and points.)

Well it turns out the VITAL SIGNS car club promotes this event and is currently run by Doug Augustine. The process of hosting and organizing the car show is enough for them, so they pass the car audio side of things off to a local (Panama City) car stereo shop. They’ve typically been using Terry Floyd for years, but for the past 5 or so, it’s been Bill Sommer of  SOMMER SOUND SYSTEMS.

Ole’ Bill thinks that this show is his big chance to make some money every year. He pulls out all of the stops and gets the IASCA judge (Terry Floyd) to pay all of the sanctioning fees (about $350) plus his annual retail member fee ($100) and he takes HALF of the entry fees per competitor ($20-40 each).

Can you imagine? Most judges offer a show to a retailer as an opportunity to promote their shop, get attention, and maybe even raffle off some equipment. But this guy thinks that because he spends a weekend in Daytona telling crowd members about Doug’s car show, that he should get half of all profits and ZERO of all expenses.

We started calling him at his shop on March 24th and his associate told us that he “wasn’t available” call after call, day after day. So yesterday (March 29th) I left him a message telling him that his antics were lame and that I wasn’t interested in waiting on him to help him make money any more. Miraculously, he called back……to attempt to ***** me out. I hung up on him twice for acting like a jerk.

He left this voicemail for me (Thanks for the property Bill!) Click here to listen

If you believe that a shop owner (who obviously doesn’t care about the competitors…hell I’d pay him for every rule he even knows if you know what I’m saying) who is trying to make money on the backs of the competitors is out of line, feel free to “call” his shop phone at 850-215-6664 or email him at sommersoundsystems@knology.net and tell him what you think. Tell him I sent ya! Please!

We’ve spoken to Doug at Vital Signs and let him know who we are and what we can do for his car show. Those of you who’ve attended our events or events we’ve sponsored know what we’re capable of. If you see Doug or any of the guys from Vital Signs at the show let them know what they’re missing out on by not having a multi-sanctioned event. Maybe next year we can make this thing right.

This year, we did our best.

www.SpringBreakNationals.com

In the wake of the cancellation of the NOPI Nationals and the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s decision to forego any type of auto sound competition at the drag event they will be producing on NOPI’s dates, IASCA announces its plans for its competition season finale formally and formerly known as the “World Finals”.

With suggestions and input from its membership base, industry proponents and various international affiliates, the newly designated IASCA North American Championships will be held annually at the Spring Break Nationals, starting with the 2008 Championships being held at SBN in March 2009. “We have given this careful consideration” says Paul Papadeas, President of IASCA and SBN EXPO Group. “On many levels this makes perfect sense. SBN is a well attended car audio focused event that serves consumers and trade participants and soundoff competitors from both factions.

The newly expanded Ocean Center has enough space to host a regular TKE IASCA competition that anyone can enter, the Invitational IASCA North American Championships, the Tuner Jam car show and exhibits from both car audio manufacturers and automotive aftermarket suppliers all under one roof.

Also planned for 23rd annual SBN is an IASCA Worldwide Summit bringing industry and our international affiliations together for trainings, and to discuss the marketing phenomenon called soundoff and its effectiveness around the world. With all activities at SBN focused into one venue, instead of being scattered about on the beachside and parking lots, we’re able to deliver a more concentrated marketing message to the end users than ever before.

Renaming the IASCA Finals to the “IASCA North American Championships” may take getting used to for some. The action will give due respect to the rest of the IASCA world and their autosound challenge efforts. Our ultimate goal one day soon will be to realize a true world class competition event.

Another prospect for the invitational will be something that has eluded soundoff competition for years; prize money for the winners. We plan to return at least 50% of all invitational entry fees back to the winners and, if sponsorship and attendance of the event is strong, this number could increase dramatically. “It’s time to focus on what pulled us out of the slump almost 20 years ago; Soundoffs were a great marketing tool then and the same holds true today. The only difference is our approach, focus and control of its growth” cites Papadeas.
Expect more information from IASCA and SBN within the next few weeks. Stay tuned to iasca.com.

Source:
http://www.iasca.com/blogs/iasca/archive/2008/07/16/08-iasca-finals-news.aspx

We’ve confirmed with NOPI’s public relations that NOPI Nationals and the summer/fall 2008 events have been canceled.

IASCA is diligently working on a new location for the IASCA World Finals. (click here)

Here is the release from NOPI announcing their latest news for 2008.

“It is with great regret that NOPI Motorsports, LLC has suspended operations for the summer and fall 2008. This will include NOPI Drag Racing Series, NOPI Drift Series and the NOPI NATIONALS Motorsports Supershow. The company is undergoing an organizational restructuring in light of severe adverse affects of a disappointing spring season. The economy and unfavorable weather resulted in underperformance of all spring events. Michael Meyers, president of NOPI Motorsports, reports that NOPI Motorsports is working with its clients and sponsors to minimize the uncertainty going forward. This is a reflection of the economic times in which we currently live. The countrywide economic and industry downturn has caused a slowdown and tightening of belts. This affects everyone and companies, at all levels, and NOPI Motorsports is no different.
(Nopi Press Release)

EAST COAST:
Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis IN

WEST COAST:
Mojave Crossing Event Center, Laughlin, NV

For more information, view Db Drag’s Announcement here

Also, our other friends at AudioJunkies.com have posted tons of pictures in 5 parts.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

For the first time in many years, Sound Quality competitors have the chance to win cash prizes. We have over $5,000.00 in prizes, including $3,000.00 for the final event. (The Actual Prizes will increase as we add competitors and sponsors.)

This is your chance to win $250.00 for each of those classes for a total purse available at SBN of $500.00!!!!

For more information, visit  http://caraudionationals.com

Voting begins March 17th at RockfordFosgate.com and the final three vehicles will be displayed at the Rockford Fosgate booth for the final competition.

Don’t get to excited though, you’ll have to ship your box to Daytona in time for the Nationals. The contest is also limited to about 15 2008 model vehicles. The deadline for entry is March 15th.

For more information click here