- Joined
- Jan 31, 2006
- Threads
- 37
- Messages
- 896
- Location
- Greenwood, MO
- Website
- www.tornadoalleycruisers.org
The Tornado Alley Cruisers is hosting the annual Fall Crawl’n event at the Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch September 18th through the 20th, 2014. This is an open event sanctioned by the Toyota Land Cruiser Association, so any and all vehicle types and manufacturers, from stock, off the showroom floor trucks to fully built competition rigs are welcome and SMORR offers miles of trails to accommodate everyone.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE! READ DETAILS BELOW BEFORE REGISTERING!
As many of you know that attended the annual meeting, there are big changes to financing the rental of the SMORR facility. These charges by SMORR are reasonable in our opinion; however, given the size of our event, we – as a group — have to decide if we want to commit to the cash demands of this action.
The first question is if we desire to rent the entire ranch out for the weekend. The overwhelming response we received after last year’s event that was echoed at the meeting was — Yes, it is worth spending more money to do this because of the way we can more control the family friendly environment, the reduced rig count on the trails, and basically avoiding bad situations. One person mentioned that it is still less than the cost of a hotel room per night with all the fees and charges at the proposed amount.
Let me back up and give everyone some historical comparison. For the 2013 event, we charged $105 per rig. $55 of this covered TAC costs of insurance, food, t-shirts, raffle items, etc. and $50 went to SMORR rental. We budgeted for 50 rigs at this $50 to be cash flow neutral. We had 42 rigs, so we had a shortfall, that we were able to cover. Overall our event (with the raffle) was cash flow positive, and that cash flow is used annually to donate to Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) and to TLCA.
For 2014, we have big changes. The charge to rent out the facility would necessitate 100 rigs if we kept at the $50 amount. To be clear, with this increased price tag, SMORR has increased from 2 to 3 days of wheeling and still there are no charges for passengers or for spectators. As in prior years, you would still pay for all camping fees in addition. Frankly, we don’t think we can get to 100 rigs, nor can we in good faith commit TAC to this cash flow demand.
Therefore, we have two options:
1. Reserve part of the campground, (Brandon at SMORR has graciously worked with us on this plan) so we are in the same area, and then you would pay SMORR for all wheeling and entry fees. SMORR would still be considered “open” that weekend to anyone else and half of the campground would be available to others. To give some context, in 2012, when we did not rent the facility out, there were about 50 other rigs on the trails in addition to ours.
2. The members at the meeting overwhelmingly supported raising fees such that if 40 rigs come to the event, we can be cash flow neutral. That means that we would charge $125 per rig plus the $55 TAC fee, for a total of $180. It is one thing to raise your hand at a meeting, so we decided that this vote will be decided by our wallets, in the sense that we need you to sign up and prepay for the event so we can move forward.
If we have more rigs sign up, such that the event brakes even, then everyone will get a refund, determined at the event. Any refunds not picked up will be donated to a worthy “wheeling” cause.
If you like this idea, here is where we need you to act. We need you to go and sign up today for the event. If we have 40 rigs by June 15th, we will commit to rent out the facility.
Details: Before June 15th, your payment will be considered a deposit and will be fully refundable. If we do not get the support needed, we will refund the $180. If we find support and decide to rent out the facility, then it is at that point non-refundable; however it is transferable to another rig. Again, we are a not for profit, but we are not for losses either!
Tornado Alley Cruisers prides itself on being an organization that is geared toward providing a family friendly, safe atmosphere. Does that mean no alcohol?? Heck no. Does it mean no obscene language or behavior in front of the kids. Heck yes. We want everyone to be respectful of others. We reserve the right to ask those who can’t understand this to move to alternate campsites, far from the rest of us, and we may ask you to not return in future years.
Tornado Alley Cruisers is dedicated to supporting to sport of off-roading, and the majority of proceeds from this event are donated directly to the TLCA and the Blue Ribbon Coalition to help ensure the future of our great hobby.
Both electric and primitive camping are available at the park, with those fees paid directly to the park. Reservations for the electric sites are available by calling the park at 417-773-4084 or emailing Brandon Powell at jacksforkland@gmail.com. Tent camping is available on a first come, first serve basis. There is plenty of room for both RV and tent camping. Rates can be found at www.smorr.net. To reserve an electric site, email Brandon and make sure to let him know you are with the Tornado Alley Cruisers. He has reserved a section of RV and tent camping locations for those who are with the event.
For those not wishing to camp, lodging is available at the Super 8 in Ava, Mo. Their address is 1711 S. Jefferson Ave, Ava, MO, and their phone number is 417-683-1343.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE! READ DETAILS BELOW BEFORE REGISTERING!
As many of you know that attended the annual meeting, there are big changes to financing the rental of the SMORR facility. These charges by SMORR are reasonable in our opinion; however, given the size of our event, we – as a group — have to decide if we want to commit to the cash demands of this action.
The first question is if we desire to rent the entire ranch out for the weekend. The overwhelming response we received after last year’s event that was echoed at the meeting was — Yes, it is worth spending more money to do this because of the way we can more control the family friendly environment, the reduced rig count on the trails, and basically avoiding bad situations. One person mentioned that it is still less than the cost of a hotel room per night with all the fees and charges at the proposed amount.
Let me back up and give everyone some historical comparison. For the 2013 event, we charged $105 per rig. $55 of this covered TAC costs of insurance, food, t-shirts, raffle items, etc. and $50 went to SMORR rental. We budgeted for 50 rigs at this $50 to be cash flow neutral. We had 42 rigs, so we had a shortfall, that we were able to cover. Overall our event (with the raffle) was cash flow positive, and that cash flow is used annually to donate to Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) and to TLCA.
For 2014, we have big changes. The charge to rent out the facility would necessitate 100 rigs if we kept at the $50 amount. To be clear, with this increased price tag, SMORR has increased from 2 to 3 days of wheeling and still there are no charges for passengers or for spectators. As in prior years, you would still pay for all camping fees in addition. Frankly, we don’t think we can get to 100 rigs, nor can we in good faith commit TAC to this cash flow demand.
Therefore, we have two options:
1. Reserve part of the campground, (Brandon at SMORR has graciously worked with us on this plan) so we are in the same area, and then you would pay SMORR for all wheeling and entry fees. SMORR would still be considered “open” that weekend to anyone else and half of the campground would be available to others. To give some context, in 2012, when we did not rent the facility out, there were about 50 other rigs on the trails in addition to ours.
2. The members at the meeting overwhelmingly supported raising fees such that if 40 rigs come to the event, we can be cash flow neutral. That means that we would charge $125 per rig plus the $55 TAC fee, for a total of $180. It is one thing to raise your hand at a meeting, so we decided that this vote will be decided by our wallets, in the sense that we need you to sign up and prepay for the event so we can move forward.
If we have more rigs sign up, such that the event brakes even, then everyone will get a refund, determined at the event. Any refunds not picked up will be donated to a worthy “wheeling” cause.
If you like this idea, here is where we need you to act. We need you to go and sign up today for the event. If we have 40 rigs by June 15th, we will commit to rent out the facility.
Details: Before June 15th, your payment will be considered a deposit and will be fully refundable. If we do not get the support needed, we will refund the $180. If we find support and decide to rent out the facility, then it is at that point non-refundable; however it is transferable to another rig. Again, we are a not for profit, but we are not for losses either!
Tornado Alley Cruisers prides itself on being an organization that is geared toward providing a family friendly, safe atmosphere. Does that mean no alcohol?? Heck no. Does it mean no obscene language or behavior in front of the kids. Heck yes. We want everyone to be respectful of others. We reserve the right to ask those who can’t understand this to move to alternate campsites, far from the rest of us, and we may ask you to not return in future years.
Tornado Alley Cruisers is dedicated to supporting to sport of off-roading, and the majority of proceeds from this event are donated directly to the TLCA and the Blue Ribbon Coalition to help ensure the future of our great hobby.
Both electric and primitive camping are available at the park, with those fees paid directly to the park. Reservations for the electric sites are available by calling the park at 417-773-4084 or emailing Brandon Powell at jacksforkland@gmail.com. Tent camping is available on a first come, first serve basis. There is plenty of room for both RV and tent camping. Rates can be found at www.smorr.net. To reserve an electric site, email Brandon and make sure to let him know you are with the Tornado Alley Cruisers. He has reserved a section of RV and tent camping locations for those who are with the event.
For those not wishing to camp, lodging is available at the Super 8 in Ava, Mo. Their address is 1711 S. Jefferson Ave, Ava, MO, and their phone number is 417-683-1343.
Last edited:
