I have just received some sad news from Adventure Bound Canoe up in Montana who was organizing this long awaited race.  In summary, a bureaucrat at the Bureau of Land Management said this race is not possible.  See response below:
 
*****
A month ago I asked the management authority on the river (BLM) if I could get a long talked about race up and running this year. They saw no problem at that time. Yesterday (after I had spent $100s on the site), they said it could not be done. Gary Slagel in the person to contact at the BLM for an explanation. 406-538-1900, ask for Gary.
Our town is very disappointed with this turn of events and many people feel deceived and cheated.
Sorry for your trouble.
Best regards,
Michael Gregston
*****
 
I must concur I feel cheated.  The number of disappointed paddlers will be high I can tell you that.  I don't know about others, but I will pursue a formal explanation write my House & Senate reps as necessary to overcome the this crack pot decision.  There are other races up and down the Missouri river and no state or federal agency should be able to block that.  Some heads will roll one way or another until we're allowed to race any river in this country.  For crying out loud...this is flatwater paddling we're talking about.  
 
Boy am I mad  

A 36 miles section of the TWS course has no road access at all. Furthermore, the river is such (rapids, log jams, low water) that during many years, there is no motorized boat access. There's also a 26 miles section with no road access in the swamp area near the coast, though there is boat access.
 
By what authority did "they" say no? Did you apply with the Coast Guard?
 
Don't hold the race. Just set a date for a bunch of paddlers to get together and paddle a section of the river as fast as they can. Maybe hold a picnic afterwards.
 
A race was held on the Mississippi during flood stage from source to sea. How was the access to the river at that time? It's a stupid reason that has no precident. Safety can be easily provided via motorized safety boats. --West

I had planned to do this race unsupported anyway....my family was to come along for a family vacation to yellowstone...but I know that road access was an issue...I also knew that this is a regulated and permited seciton of river......the fact that the organizers (a river guide outfit) would have camping gear in a drop off for the manidatory layover was fine.....I have already put an extra hatch in my v10 and was planning on carring 4 full camel backs and food for the 90 mile leg of day one......again...I was not thinking of support....dont need it.
 
Can the race be done with a rule of no support.????..except resuply at the layover before day two......and if we get a group permit....what is to keep us from having a very, very fast float trip on the river.........................I will pay the guide fee and sign up with a sanctioned outfitter......I assume there are no speed limits for paddling down the river......come on.
 
This is crap.......let make some heat for these BLM folks.....what are the state reps and senators......and perhaps some local politicians as well....a few well written letters may not save the race for this year....but will certainly make BLM second quess this next time around......BLM allows motorcycle and jeep safari's on public land they manage....I hardly think my boat will create any environmental hazard to match that....give me a break.
 
I am disapointed to say the least.......and stuborn....so if the guides want to set up a fast float trip....I am still in..............will travel up and do the race gorrilla style
 
Bryan

See my take on this on "River Talk".
We are still up for it Bryan. Self-support is fine- we do it all the time. Guerilla Races are fun.
We are probably dealing with a "Little Dictator" here, and the best opposition is quiet resistance.