I'm going through something similar right now, so hopefully this will help. I missed registering for IM CDA by about 24 hours. After asking around and getting some tips from TriFuel, I found 2 ways to get into an Ironman that is sold out: pay $1000 through the Community Fund, or qualify at another race. Community Fund slots for IM WI 2006 are not yet listed on the site http://www.ironmannorthamerica.com/commfund/index.php, so you may want to call and see when those become available, if at all.

The other way is to qualify. You can see qualifying races for IM WI 2006 at
http://www.ironmannorthamerica.com/qualify.html (scroll to the very bottom). Right now they have 2 qualifying races listed for the 2006 race, there will surely be more. I called the Ironman offices, and was told that those slots (up to 25 per qualifying race) are given out in order of finishing time to those who request them.

Congrats on finishing IM WI, and good luck on getting in next year!

I think they said it all above however, the problem with qualifying through a 1/2IM or others is somewhat difficult. I am in the same boat as you, had no $ to sign up after IMC this year after I finished. I am NOT currently in IMC for 2006 but I will (hope) qualify like this year for it through one or 3 races in 2006. The prob for us will be finding out what position we have to be in order to get a slot. Here's how it works. It's similar as for Kona I was told when I called the head office of Ironman.

Each IM race qualifier has "X" number of slots. In the race each age class receives a minimum of one slot if there are athletes in that age category. If an age category has no finishers at the conclusion of the race, any qualifying slots in those categories "roll-down" to the age categories with the lowest ratio of slots per participant.

For simplicity, use this example:

A slot rolls down from Age Group A
Age Group B has 100 participants and 4 slots (ratio of 4:100)
Age Group C has 200 participants and 6 slots (ratio of 3:100)
Age Group C will get the slot since it has the LOWEST ratio of slots per participant.

Any unclaimed slots will also roll-down after IM Registration at IM Roll-Down.

Essentially, in your age group there are "X" number of slots based on the math of the above and it rolls down, so for eg., if your 7th place in your age cat. and there are 5 positions, that means that 2 people above you must turn down the option of IM for you to qualify.
BBB