DETROIT -- Lack of sponsorship is threatening to turn an annual Detroit tradition into history.

Every summer, the Gold Cup races put on a spectacular show with their roar and rooster tails from unlimited hydroplanes on the Detroit River.

Yet, the event's director, Mark Weber of the Detroit River Regatta Association, said the future of the races remains to be seen because he's struggling to find a replacement sponsor after Chrysler-Jeep Superstores ended their sponsorship last year.

"They can't obviously afford it or justify it right now because of the economic situation," Weber said.

The association is asking for lower-priced sponsporship and asking individual donors to help.

"We're asking 100 people to give $1,000 to make sure we continue this event," Weber said.

Weber said the plea is more than money -- it's about saving a long and cherished summer staple.

"It's important to me. It gets more emotional for me because this is Detroit. It's like not having the Indianapolis 500 in Indy or, not having the Daytona 500 in Daytona," he said.

Weber himself has been a pilot in the Gold Cup races, and is currently restoring an old wooden racing boat that was previously owned by his father and grandfather.

The races are tentatively scheduled for June 25 - 27, but event organizers said they must decide by mid-April whether the boats will be able to cross the finish line.

If the races are not held, all money paid for tickets and sponsorships will be refunded.

Anyone interested in donating to the cause can contact the Detroit Rive Regatta Association at 586-774-0980, or www.gold-cup.com.