February 19, 2008 IT’S GEORGE STRAIT TEAM ROPING CLASSIC TIME IN TEXAS Pre-Registration March 3rd and 4th The stalls have all been cleaned, the grounds spruced up, the new chutes checked and double checked, the buildings cleaned and touched up, the food and drink inventories ordered, the vendor booth space all sold, the sponsor agreements all in place and the US Tobacco scoreboard getting ready to be hung with care. In a few short days the security meetings will take place and all the final plans put into effect. Hours after that, the big diesel pickups and haulers pulling everything from single horse trailers to mansions on wheels will begin pulling into the San Antonio Rose Palace in San Antonio, Texas for America’s premier Open Team Roping competition, the 26th Annual George Strait Team Classic. In 2007, 627 teams put up $800 each to compete for more than $500,000 in cash and prizes. In 2008, the entry fee of $1000 per team will make the prize money even bigger. In addition to the prize money, Cavender Chevrolet of Boerne, Texas will provide the champion header and heeler each with a 2008 Chevy dually Pick-up truck to pull their Bruton Strait Extreme Three-Horse slant trailers home loaded with all that winning cash. Last years winners, Nick Sartain and Jhett Johnson, earned more than $42,000 a piece. Pre-registration for the 2008 Classic will take place from 5-10pm on Monday and Tuesday, March 3rd and 4th between 5 & 10pm. Ropers wishing to enter can pre-register by calling 210-698-9251. Roper payment and final registration will begin at 5pm on Thursday, March 13th and all entry fees must be paid by 9am on Friday, March 14th. The GSTRC gets underway on Friday, March 14th at 10am with 2 go-rounds that will determine the top 50 teams. The top 50 teams from Friday will compete on Saturday, March 15th for the championship. In addition to Cavender Chevrolet and Bruton Trailers, the event is also sponsored by Brake Check, Bill Millers BBQ, Hill Country/Kioti Tractors, H.E.B. Food Stores, Cactus Ropes, Wrangler, Justin Boots, Classic Ropes, Frost Bank, Tractor Supply, Capital Farm Credit, Gist Buckles and US Tobacco. Wayne Wright Lawyers sponsors the extremely popular Red Wrapped Steer challenge on Saturday that will give ropers the opportunity to earn up to $10,000 each round if they win that round on one of the Red Wrapped Steers.