No Gila in '09?

The Tour of the Gila may be canceled this year due to the current economic environment, according to race director Jack Brennan.

"We have many problems," Brennan told the Silver City Sun-News. "It doesn't look promising." He also explained that organisers were not officially cancelling the race until a self-imposed deadline of Friday.

Scheduled for April 29 - May 3, the Tour of the Gila has been a mainstay on the National Racing Calendar for many years and has increased exposure for Silver City.

"It's really tough economic times," said Brennan. "Things have changed [with the sponsors]."

"It's amazing what this costs," Brennan continued. The budget for the race is about $170,000, a figure he called "bare bones." About $70,000 is earmarked for prizes and $22,000 for race officials. "We're way off," he explained.

Brennan outlined that he and co-race director Michelle Geels are looking at ways to "restructure the race" and perhaps reduce the prize money. If the race is canceled this year, Brennan said all the organizing efforts will be put into next year's race.

"It's a cool event and something we can't let go," he said.