COEUR d'ALENE - The latest word from an organizer spearheading hydroplane racing's return to Lake Coeur d'Alene said the races will go on as scheduled Labor Day weekend.

Doug Miller told The Press three weeks ago that The Diamond Cup Regatta is close to securing "major contracts" that would ensure the races will happen.

"We're not in trouble at all," Miller said in a May 1 phone message, referring to rumors that the race will be canceled, as it was last year. "We're just finishing up some major contracts right now that should be done in the middle part of next week that will be major announcements for us."

But the middle part of that week passed, and despite numerous calls from The Press, nobody is offering an update on sponsorships or ticket sales. In a previous interview, Miller estimated it would cost $400,000 to host the event.

Last year, the event fell through after Miller and his board of directors couldn't secure enough sponsors in time. This year, several board members resigned their posts. Some of those members have declined to comment on the issue.

But rumors, or at least questions, about a repeat cancellation have circulated since the resignations.

"No," Miller said in the May 1 message. "We're not in trouble."

The Labor Day races would be the seventh stop on the H1 Hydroplane Circuit, according to H1 Unlimited's website. H1 Unlimited has not returned messages from The Press.

The races drew large crowds on Lake Coeur d'Alene in the 1950s and 1960s but were marred at the end of the run by underage drinking and fighting. Ultimately, waning enthusiasm and financial losses ended the annual event in 1968. The city of Coeur d'Alene banned hydro racing in 1996.

The course proposed for the race's return is off Silver Beach. Meanwhile, the city is considering taking ownership of East Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive which runs by Silver Beach. If it does, the city said it could secure the land after Labor Day weekend so it wouldn't jeopardize the hydroplane event.

After that, the City Council would have to address the issue or the ordinance banning them, City Administrator Wendy Gabriel said.

Tickets for the event are listed for sale at TicketsWest.com.