Why has region 4 lost its appeal with Stock Mod & Pro drivers

[Dave M]

My Opinion

I simply don't travel that far east to race. It is a long way for short tracks, 12 laps. Even if it is a larger track, 12 laps for a 12 - 14 hour drive ? I added a class and could potentially go 24 laps. Cost to attend probably somewhere around $500 - $1000.00. It is simple economics for me. I can race in about 8 - 10 races in my area within a 6 hour radius. In the past, the class I ran was not well represented in the east. It has grown, but still not full fields.

This is only my take on why I don't come that far, hope this helps you guys in trying to find the reason.

[HRTV]

Year two same o same o

Pat,

It’s not the same old thing, I am on a fact finding mission for a reason and I need input from the members. I am not just throwing this out to stir up things, in order for us to move forward we must first indentify and correct our mistakes as not to repeat them.

[raceright]

Pat,

It’s not the same old thing, I am on a fact finding mission for a reason and I need input from the members. I am not just throwing this out to stir up things, in order for us to move forward we must first indentify and correct our mistakes as not to repeat them.

Dan
I kind a think most know what to do to help but for some reason it does not get done,Virginia is in region 4 I think and back in the 70's there was a race in Hinton (great place) I would go from L. I. every year and run D alky hydro,people from all over came great race. The problems that boat racing has always had are still there they are the reasons Hinton has no longer run D alky hydro (top hydro)
everyone knows them many were already mentioned,but like I said the problems do not get solved.I'm just keeping a mental note ,reason for me saying Two Years and as unfortunate as it may be Next year I'll probably say Three Years.

[raceright]

Region 4

Dan
Pick classes that drivers in your region and neighboring regions wish to race. Find someone or be the one to make it happen and it will. Humphery and Dave Augustine were working on a race near or in region 4 to have us race some mod pro and stock classes to include top hydro but for what ever reason it fell through I guarenteed three Top Hydro's and he was to have two. Many phone calls later and it never happened. Don't get discourged just keep trying and never give up it will happen as there are plenty of people around who wish to race. Just need to organize.(tough year but it will pay off)

[Matt Dagostino]

No change?

Having been in Region 4 for the last 20 plus years our problems are the same as everywhere else, membership is simply declined over the years. Call it a baby boomer thing or call it a matter of the young kids taking interest in other hobbies but the issue is simply a loss of interest in general for our sport.

Our Region has really never attracted much support from surrounding regions since our comrads from region 3 and 5 have always had a full plate of racing through the decades in their respective regions and as a result never really had to look out of their area. We on the other hand were in a great geographacial position to go a few hours in any direction and be in several regions and have a chance to race against our friends from region 2,3,5,6!!

I kinda think we have a nice compliment of races in our region based on the current membership and economic climate. We have Two events scheduled for Taber City,NC a race in Wilson, NC and although Jesup, Ga is technically in region 5 i kinda consider it a region 4 location. Jesup is our divisionals.

Also, Sharptown, Md was almost a go for this year which is on the border of region 3 and 4. Maybe next year!! Sam is right, losing Camden,NC was a killer for me and many of us who loved that place. It's reputation really helped bolster outside region support and it was a big blow to lose that site due to development.

Living in the Northern part of region 4 is a real plus............from my area here near Annopolios/Baltimore we can race almost every weekend and travel no more than 3-6 hours one way.

My feeling is it is better for our club to run two or three well positioned events throughout the racing season that may draw some enteries from outside the region and look to hit some races in Jersey,Pa,Fla and NY.

Pat is also correct, losing Hinton was a big blow to us. That site was one of the best PRO/Stock sites in the United States and was a great race for our region.

[Sonny]

I have very quietly tryed to do some things that I thought might be good for the sport in the intrest of getting more people involved. I always have extra boats and motors I am willing to lend to get folks exposed to the sport. I have bought mills, lathes, welders and all kinds of tooling to make parts affordable. My latest venture is a cnc router 10x12 that I hope will make boat kits so fast that they can be offered at a more affordable price. But still I run into a lot of people that dont even know the sport exist's. I think that if the sport was better publiciced more people would be drawn to it. Why none of the races can be seen on espn, or represented in the "X" games is baffeling. Is anyone here framiliar with curling? a guy slides a rock on some ice and two other guys sweep the ice in front of it, and this draws larger crowds than boat racing. I guess I dont get it? I think we have to find a way to make the sport more public.

[abbypond]

I agree that the problem in our region has multiple causes, many of which are listed in the above posts. Another to add to the list is lack of support from members in our own region.

[Kev43V]

I have very quietly tryed to do some things that I thought might be good for the sport in the intrest of getting more people involved. I always have extra boats and motors I am willing to lend to get folks exposed to the sport. I have bought mills, lathes, welders and all kinds of tooling to make parts affordable. My latest venture is a cnc router 10x12 that I hope will make boat kits so fast that they can be offered at a more affordable price. But still I run into a lot of people that dont even know the sport exist's. I think that if the sport was better publiciced more people would be drawn to it. Why none of the races can be seen on espn, or represented in the "X" games is baffeling. Is anyone here framiliar with curling? a guy slides a rock on some ice and two other guys sweep the ice in front of it, and this draws larger crowds than boat racing. I guess I dont get it? I think we have to find a way to make the sport more public.

I know exactly what you mean! lord even beltsander races get more publicity than we do. But is that because no one is enterested in what we do even if they do hear about us? or is it because they never hear about what we do?

[raceright]

I have very quietly tryed to do some things that I thought might be good for the sport in the intrest of getting more people involved. I always have extra boats and motors I am willing to lend to get folks exposed to the sport. I have bought mills, lathes, welders and all kinds of tooling to make parts affordable. My latest venture is a cnc router 10x12 that I hope will make boat kits so fast that they can be offered at a more affordable price. But still I run into a lot of people that dont even know the sport exist's. I think that if the sport was better publiciced more people would be drawn to it. Why none of the races can be seen on espn, or represented in the "X" games is baffeling. Is anyone here framiliar with curling? a guy slides a rock on some ice and two other guys sweep the ice in front of it, and this draws larger crowds than boat racing. I guess I dont get it? I think we have to find a way to make the sport more public.

[SIZE="3"]APBA's job to Promote they are trying as Mark Weber has added it to there budjet but it is a unthankful and difficult job,have made some suggestions (like giving out the Propeller at races to fans) and I know Scott Reed has also had some in roads that will have positive results, time will tell. Suggestion if ya agree that the Propeller should be given out at races like Lock Haven or Depue Email Mark for those of you that do not know him he is a good guy who will listen to your idea's and is trying very hard to help promote boat racing.

[Flint54]

There are a few individuals that are attempting to bring back some outboard racing to Region 4. Portsmouth was a Great Weekend and a few outboards made the trip, there could have been a lot more. Yes we know that there is saltwater but this cleans up and fresh water was very available. Elizabeth City will be hosting a testing weekend on May 16 & 17 along with Vintage, cost is low $35.00 includes BOTH Saturday & Sunday. Also, June 5th - 7th is the International Cup Race, again in Elizabeth City. Roanoke Rapids then is on the weekend of June 26th - 28th.

All we need is RACERS. Please contact www.carolinacupregatta.com and let them know you are coming with how many boats and what class. We look forward to making these dates memorable along with providing more opportunities for all.

I also look forward to hearing any suggestions anyone has to offer and assist in making these weekends run smoothly. Contact me by PM and I will give you my # and e-mail.

Thank you all for your support, Bob K.

[sam]

mandatory capsule class thats what happen to OPC here in region 4 and all across the country.

I'm afraid the way I remember it, OPC was gone from Region 4 before the cockpit thing happened.

[Racerkyle20]

Shorter Drives

It seems to me that local races is key to numbers. Over here is Seattle we are forced geographically to have close races. If you live centrally around Seattle your longest drive for a race is going to be 4-5 hours. Most races are close to 2 hours, with one (Everett) being 20 minutes from most folks! Eastern Washington racing for SOA has declined because of numbers. Moses Lake is now the only SOA race in Eastern WA. Used have more like 3 (Moses, Scootney, Bridgeport). But these races went the wasteside when people stopped showing up because they weren't close enough.

From an outsiders opinion. Finding races close to peoples homes will bring numbers up. You east coast guys are traveling 8-12 hours in most cases to race, when finding local close races might be the answer. Theres always a peice of water to race on somewhere!

[HRTV]

I'm afraid the way I remember it, OPC was gone from Region 4 before the cockpit thing happened.

Not true you remember wrong, I was an active OPC driver in region 4 at the time and I know for a fact when OPC racing left the region and what is the relevance to my original question about Stock Mod and Pro. If I wanted to debate on when OPC left I would have asked stick to my original post which had nothing to do with OPC.

[Danny Pigott]

I think, what happen to OPC is the same thing that happen to SO in the 50/60's The Merc dealers stopped supporting racing. In the 50's most every dealer sold Merc. race engs. an raced them. in the 70's Merc. dealers sold Merc Race engs. and most had a opc race boat. no more Merc. support very little local opc racing. Same thing happen to SO.

[MGallagher]

well i am speaking on the loss of sharptown, md....... i think its cause there is no spaghetti dinner after at the bowman house anymore!!!!! rachel