Speedsters seeking sponsors

COEUR d'ALENE - Doug Miller, president of Diamond Cup, says the hydroplane races aren't just a Coeur d'Alene event.

He and other race organizers are seeking the involvement of potential sponsors in Boise and southern Idaho.

"Outside the Pacific Northwest, when people talk about our race, they refer to us as the Idaho race," Miller said Wednesday.

The Diamond Cup is broadcast on national TV, and streamed online around the world in 104 countries, he pointed out.

"I think it's good for the whole state," said state Sen. Bob Nonini. With its national and international audiences, the event does a great job of getting the Idaho name out there, he said.

Nonini has connected race organizers with the United Dairymen of Idaho, a major potential sponsor. He said both sides could benefit from a sponsorship.

"Have the winner drink a big thing of milk," he said.

Diamond Cup organizers have reached out to Jeff Sayer, the Idaho Department of Commerce director.

"Jeff Sayer has been on board with me for over three years," Miller said. "Now that we've had one (race), the road is becoming easier to obtain support from people at that end of the state."

"We plan on providing as much support as we can," Sayer said. "We'll introduce him to as many people as we can."

The race is a great opportunity to put Idaho on display, Sayer said.

Miller has a meeting Friday with Diane Norton of the Idaho Division of Tourism Development, a division of Sayer's department. Norton couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

"Hopefully they can help us raise $100,000 to $150,000 in sponsorship from that end of the state," Miller said.

He said Diamond Cup organizers should know in a couple weeks if help will come from Boise or southern Idaho.

Miller said there was no involvement from southern Idaho last year.

Katherine Coppock, Coeur d'Alene Convention and Visitor Bureau manager, said the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce plans to promote the Diamond Cup on its website. Information also will be available in the visitor center.

She said no decision has been made whether to financially support the races, like the chamber did in 2013.