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Enough already ..... here are the facts of this matter.
Region 1's first race of the year was May 16 & 17th. During his inspection of boats for their safety stickers, Inspector Allen advised several drivers of the need to have APBA decals on both sides of their hull. He further explained to these drivers that it was a rule and the purpose was the promotion of APBA. Shawn Cavanaugh informed the Inspector that he received his safety inspection sticker at Tabor City and that he did not need one. He was advised that he did in fact need them to be in compliance with the rules and was handed enough stickers to do his boats.
Later in the day upon reporting to inspection it was noted that only one decal had been applied. He was again advised that the decals were to be on both sides of the hull. He was given a free pass on this one as the Inspector did not disqualify him and considered it a warning to be corrected for the next event. The Monday following Standish the Inspector notified APBA headquarters via email of the incident and requested guidance on this rule. As the Inspector, he took his role seriously and felt it was his duty to enforce the rules. APBA responded that the topic could be covered in the upcoming issue of the Propeller.
Fast forward three weeks to Milton, NH. During his prerace inspection of boats that were not at Standish, the Inspector noted that Fastjack Racing still had not put the second decal on the boats. He then reminded them of the rule and their comment was "yea, we heard that". At the drivers meeting on Saturday morning as Race Director I reminded those in attendance that a safety inspection of all boats was required and APBA decals (plural) were required to be on your boats. I also informed the membership that the 2" x 5" decals in red, white, blue and black were available from the Inspector.
Fastjack reported to inspection after AXH still having not complied with both the Inspector and Race Directors request, he was disqualified for violation of Bylaw Article 1, Section 1.4. This was not an oversight or an innocent mistake. He was warned three times, given three weeks to correct the issue and blatantly defied the Inspectors request to put his boat in compliance. Were there other boats without stickers? Of course there were and they all responded to the Inspectors request by applying the decals to their hulls. We would have never disqualified any driver without fair warning.
I stand 100% behind our Inspector. His job is to enforce the rules. Fastjack pushed as far as he could and now feels that he is the victim. There were five Referees at the Milton event and anyone of them could have pointed out the rule to him. Instead he chose to plead his case on Hydro Racer as if he had no clue why this action was taken. No appeal was made. Is it unfortunate that the kid was penalized for the parent’s actions? Yes, but only after being given a warning and no DQ at Standish and having had three weeks to put a 2" x 5" sticker on his boat. I, along with Referee Giles, personally talked to Fastjack on Sunday and told him that I would inquire if this was the appropriate penalty for this type of violation.
I emailed APBA of the incident Monday morning only to question the penalty, not the violation. I was advised that a violation of the rules results in a disqualification. Both APBA and the J Category Chairman agreed that ample opportunity was provided to correct the issue at hand and that it was ignored and disqualification was warranted. Fastjack has previously indicated that he has had issues with APBA and unfortunately South Shore Outboard, its officials and membership have been thrown under the bus, backed over and run over again. Fastjack should have deleted that post as soon as he saw the mudslinging that evolved on Hydro Racer towards our membership and officiating crew.
Many of you may question what is the importance of that 2 x 5 decal and why is it a rule? The simple answer is branding and name recognition. If you are asking that question I can assume that you have never been involved with developing a race site. I can assure you that when you are standing before a City Council or a Town Board of Selectmen, when you say the event is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association and explain to them who APBA is and its history, it is instant credibility. I have been involved in four brand new start up sites in the last eight years and the APBA name gets you to the second meeting. That in my mind is why we carry that logo on our boats and trailers. Now we may not all agree with what goes on within APBA, but we need them as much as they need our membership.
End of conversation.
Steve Noury Race Director #294
Region 1's first race of the year was May 16 & 17th. During his inspection of boats for their safety stickers, Inspector Allen advised several drivers of the need to have APBA decals on both sides of their hull. He further explained to these drivers that it was a rule and the purpose was the promotion of APBA. Shawn Cavanaugh informed the Inspector that he received his safety inspection sticker at Tabor City and that he did not need one. He was advised that he did in fact need them to be in compliance with the rules and was handed enough stickers to do his boats.
Later in the day upon reporting to inspection it was noted that only one decal had been applied. He was again advised that the decals were to be on both sides of the hull. He was given a free pass on this one as the Inspector did not disqualify him and considered it a warning to be corrected for the next event. The Monday following Standish the Inspector notified APBA headquarters via email of the incident and requested guidance on this rule. As the Inspector, he took his role seriously and felt it was his duty to enforce the rules. APBA responded that the topic could be covered in the upcoming issue of the Propeller.
Fast forward three weeks to Milton, NH. During his prerace inspection of boats that were not at Standish, the Inspector noted that Fastjack Racing still had not put the second decal on the boats. He then reminded them of the rule and their comment was "yea, we heard that". At the drivers meeting on Saturday morning as Race Director I reminded those in attendance that a safety inspection of all boats was required and APBA decals (plural) were required to be on your boats. I also informed the membership that the 2" x 5" decals in red, white, blue and black were available from the Inspector.
Fastjack reported to inspection after AXH still having not complied with both the Inspector and Race Directors request, he was disqualified for violation of Bylaw Article 1, Section 1.4. This was not an oversight or an innocent mistake. He was warned three times, given three weeks to correct the issue and blatantly defied the Inspectors request to put his boat in compliance. Were there other boats without stickers? Of course there were and they all responded to the Inspectors request by applying the decals to their hulls. We would have never disqualified any driver without fair warning.
I stand 100% behind our Inspector. His job is to enforce the rules. Fastjack pushed as far as he could and now feels that he is the victim. There were five Referees at the Milton event and anyone of them could have pointed out the rule to him. Instead he chose to plead his case on Hydro Racer as if he had no clue why this action was taken. No appeal was made. Is it unfortunate that the kid was penalized for the parent’s actions? Yes, but only after being given a warning and no DQ at Standish and having had three weeks to put a 2" x 5" sticker on his boat. I, along with Referee Giles, personally talked to Fastjack on Sunday and told him that I would inquire if this was the appropriate penalty for this type of violation.
I emailed APBA of the incident Monday morning only to question the penalty, not the violation. I was advised that a violation of the rules results in a disqualification. Both APBA and the J Category Chairman agreed that ample opportunity was provided to correct the issue at hand and that it was ignored and disqualification was warranted. Fastjack has previously indicated that he has had issues with APBA and unfortunately South Shore Outboard, its officials and membership have been thrown under the bus, backed over and run over again. Fastjack should have deleted that post as soon as he saw the mudslinging that evolved on Hydro Racer towards our membership and officiating crew.
Many of you may question what is the importance of that 2 x 5 decal and why is it a rule? The simple answer is branding and name recognition. If you are asking that question I can assume that you have never been involved with developing a race site. I can assure you that when you are standing before a City Council or a Town Board of Selectmen, when you say the event is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association and explain to them who APBA is and its history, it is instant credibility. I have been involved in four brand new start up sites in the last eight years and the APBA name gets you to the second meeting. That in my mind is why we carry that logo on our boats and trailers. Now we may not all agree with what goes on within APBA, but we need them as much as they need our membership.
End of conversation.
Steve Noury Race Director #294
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