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

[Gunjumper]

4

I think that losing Camden, Denton, and Sharptown is what put Region 4 out of business. The new races in the region are just too far south for us up here in Region 3. We could drive to Denton and Sharptown on Sat am and head home Sun night and not miss a minute of work. Camden would be a "special" race that we would take Friday and Monday off for driving. The new races in Region 4 are all past Camden, just too far for a non proven race site. Also as someone else stated, we have plenty of well organized and proven sites up here in PA, NJ, NY, and OH, all less then 6 hours from a large mass of racers. Region 3 offered to help Region 4 with Sharptown, patrol boats, equipment, racer support, but as Matt D stated I guess it's on the chopping block. Losing Betsy Bowman's Lasagna and French Toast, increasing prices at the Lewes go karts, and the pickle factory horrible stench are all contributing factors as well... Greg

[Moon child]

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.

I am just sorry that I didn't realize earlier what a great opportunity the inboard community and region 4 had made available to the outboard community. This was the perfect opportunity for the publicity that stock outboard needs. The conditions were unbelievable, there were plenty of spectators, many inboard drivers were interested in getting the chance to drive an outboard because it looks like a great ride, the inboard community was very supportive of the outboarders, the list goes on. I was lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time and it is tough for anyone to make all of the races especially when it comes to cost but this as a great opportunity that if made available again should be taken advantage of.
Thanks again to all that made for a great weekend!

[sam]

Sharptown 2009

Sharptown is only off the schedule this year due to major renovation at the park during our regularly Coast Guard/Homeland Security approved weekend.

CVRA considered trying to reschedule mid summer after the renovation ... still up in the air last I heard.

We will be back in 2010

As I understand, Denton was lost due to decreasing chicken sales by the yacht club. They had not lost money that I had heard, but it was getting close. CVRA does not have the treasure to do unsponsored races. We might be able to get back in if we did something like found another co-sponsor or raised the entry fees dramatically. An outside possibility would be for the town to apply for some grant money or something like that.

How much would you pay to race at Denton if money could bring it back?

[thunderracing]

i would pay what ever it took to race at denton. such a good time.

[ram95]

shooting ourselves in the foot.

WE are the ones shooting ourselves in the foot. Everytime we impose a regulation based upon opinion instead of member consensus we blow another hole in the membership. I cite the recent idea that cut-suits (jackets, etc) need to be "recertified" every so many years. Here, we have another solution to a 'problem' which does not exist.

It is little granes of sand like this which, during the winter months, combine themselves with other issues financial that result in non-renewal of membership. We cannot afford this kind of stuff.

Safety is surely important. But, racing is inherently dangerous. Proposed changes to the rules need to be voted on by the members concerned.... not shoved down their throats.

THIS is just one of the areas I am personally concerned about.

Have a nice day!

Alex

[ryan_4z]

Mmmm, spaghetti...

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

This could very well be true as it is a proven fact that spaghetti dinners are a major factor in the quality of any race. It is one of the major reasons that Millville is just about the most awesome race there is, right behind Lock Haven of course.

[sam]

the recent idea that cut-suits (jackets, etc) need to be "recertified" every so many years. Here, we have another solution to a 'problem' which does not exist.

Alex, I do believe there was a problem, but recertification of all cut suits is like spraying DDT over the whole city instead of using a fly-swatter.

Duct tape was not an original component of any cut suit and should not have been allowed.

[Mark 72@E]

You breathe in and you breathe out

Another to add to the list is lack of support from members in our own region.

Ouch, Abby.

************

In the words of John Lennon, "You breathe in and you breathe out."

I second Matt's observation above and be sure to add it to the list, Dan. My J Driver has acquired other interests and hobbies.

Lacrosse has been his spring sport of choice this season and last. The season starts in March and ends in June. Practice is an hour and a half three times a week. Games are one or two days a weekend. Most games and tournaments are within an hour drive. Last weekend he played a three game tournament in the shadow of the Washington Monument. It was cool.

As a side note, add up all the lacrosse gear and it costs more than a complete boat racing safety suit. Even if you bought an extra pair of kevlar socks and threw in gloves.

In boat racing his size and weight work against him. But in lacrosse he's a star -- first string on the "A" team. Boat racing is still on his mind though. 26E is his APBA assigned racing number and he got to pick the number on his lacrosse jersey.

We're not out of boat racing yet, we're just a modern American family trying to find a happy balance in our lives. At least one member of the Ritchie family wished he was in Portsmouth, VA last weekend.

[HRTV]

For those of you on the outside looking in thinking there goes Dan again starting trouble you are sadly mistaken. This thread is nothing more then an online focus group and it is doing exactly what I wanted it do to.

For those of you who do not know what a focus group is or have never participated in one click on the link below.

Thanks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_group

[Fast Jack]

Camden

I had been to the Camden race and had a good time , It was about a 16 hour drive, I wish that race was still giong on . I missed the southern races this season, for the past 3 years I had run the Pro races and Ocoee as our Family vacation . Perhaps a region 4 race could be put on to tie in with these races next year. Now that My Son races J I am trying to go to races that he can also run at. I hate to miss Millville this spring , It is a great place to race and I enjoy the after race pit activity. We are lucky that the # or races in region 1 has increased over the last 3 years. I have to agree with Alex about the cost of the rule changes that get piled on us. For those of us that have family members that we support the costs double or tripple. " Its only $ 20.00 " is a common arguement we hear when rules are implimented . But multiply that six times and it adds up in a hurry. The changes being made with the stock motor issue are another nail in the coffin of our sport. I put on the Standish Maine race and it has been very hard geting donations and sponsorship this year. I will contiue to support as many races as I can and look forward to going to races that give my Son and I the greatest bang for the buck .

[Bill Huson]

Ah, Camden . . .

An almost devastating loss to Region 4 racing. On the upside, Region 4 mingles catagories very well. I recall OPC racing at Camden with all us kneelers, and later Robin Shane treated us to an Inboard show at Camden. I had a ton of at mix and mingle races and this year I see the Carolina Cup folks have planned a wonderful schedule of inboard/outboard events. I urge racers to attend these events. With declining numbers for whatever reason the old sayin' rings true: United we stand, divided we fall.

[Flint54]

I think that losing Camden, Denton, and Sharptown is what put Region 4 out of business. The new races in the region are just too far south for us up here in Region 3. The new races in Region 4 are all past Camden, just too far for a non proven race site.[/SIZE][/SIZE] ... Greg

What do you mean that the New Races are past Camden, Elizabeth City is a drawbridge width away (literally). As far as the other sites I do not know where you are coming from. If from the North, Roanoke Rapids is just south of the VA border on 95, Wilson, NC is @ 20 south of Rocky Mount just off 95, the possible race in Manteo, NC is @ 35 miles from Camden. Tabor City, NC granted is on the southern border of NC. Getting a body of water to hold a race on is not an easy task, but we do the best we can with what we can work with. If you want to race then you will, we Welcome Every Racer and are Grateful for them to come. In return, we do the best that we can to make for a Great Weekend. Without your support of the race venues what choice do clubs have other than dropping a course. That is what happened and we are doing our best to open up past racing sites and new ones in order for you to be able to race. If you support them they will continue.


bobkaldahl@carolinacupregatta.com


See all links below for full Carolina Cup Regatta 2009 Schedule of planned events.

Thanks, Bob Kaldahl, Vice Commodore

http://www.carolinacupregatta.com/
http://www.carolinacupregatta.com/2009vintage.html
http://www.carolinacupregatta.com/20...upregatta.html
http://www.carolinacupregatta.com/20...okerapids.html
http://www.carolinacupregatta.com/2009Manteo.html

[jtower3941]

I have heard a lot of good Ideas, have heard why boat racing in on the decline, why we lost this race and that race. Dan and Hydo racer have provided the spark. So lets get the region leaders, Club leaders together and develop a race schedule and mutal support for these races. Greg had the right Idea with the offering of equipment and support of a region 4 race. Region 4 helped with a safety boat when 3 needed it. NOW is the time for action to back up talk. or is that the real problem, NO COOPERATIVE ACTION just a lot of individual effort which is hard to do

[B Walker]

In the interest of contributing to the roundtable discussion:

I lived and raced in Region 4 from 1978-1980 and have raced there as much as possible scince we moved to Region 5.

I think we tend to remember the good old days a bit better than they actually were.

Example: Camden, Region 4's best race, held twice a year.....

Late 80's/90's Spring Camden that were not Divisionals were financial losers or break even at best. Fall Camden (Pig Picken') was allways a winner and tended to make up for all the other races that Carolina/Virginia Racing Assn. (CVRA) did not make any money.

Note: my father was commodore of CVRA at the time.

Everyone knows Outboard racing has been in decline every year scince its peak in 1974.

I dont think Region 4 has been hit any harder than any other region.

BW

I used to think our cost of equipment was a factor and no longer believe that. Go price a Jetski, a racing go-kart, or Motocross, or Snowmobile Racing. All of those motor sports outnumber us massively and are massively more expensive to race.

Also, why is Offshore the only Division with significant growth? Hint, its not because of the cost.

[HRTV]

Its very simple folks read the press release below I have highlighted the areas that we are missing in red. Face it the world does not know we are here plain and simple. In the eyes of the outside world there is no such thing as Stock, Mod or Pro racing and until we get the message out that we are here look for the sport to die a slow death.

As Brad mention we are affordable but it doesn’t matter if no one knows it but us. We pack our little trailers and head off into the rural back woods to race, enjoy a day with friends and family and if we are lucky one or two locals might here the noise and stop by. Our message and cry’s for help are not being heard since we do not have a voice. The American consumer still to this very day has no idea what we do, where we do it or who we are.

If I had complete rig set up right now sitting on a trailer I could drive 30 mins from my home north on Rt. 95 until I reached the first rest stop in Baltimore Maryland pull into the parking lot and have 20 people stop and ask me what is that? Where do you guy’s race? Did you make that your self? What is it called? Do you get my point?


Who is the APBA Stock Outboard Director of Marketing and Events? where can I find his number? office hours? fax & email ? mailing address?

March 30, 2009

New Online TV Feature Added to the APBA Website

The American Power Boat Association (APBA) is excited to announce the new APBA PWC Television online television feature that has been added to the APBA website. The new online TV feature will allow the APBA to broadcast 24 hours a day on the internet old PWC racing events. Instead of small clips, entire shows from past APBA events can be watched online via the APBA web site. A special On-Demand feature will allow viewers to call up certain videos and watch them immediately. In addition to the release of old APBA race videos, the APBA will be broadcast select events live on APBA PWC Television.

For the introduction of APBA PWC TV the APBA has released four videos – The 2006 APBA Watercross Nationals, 2006 APBA National Tour Rounds 1-2 from Parker, Arizona, 2007 APBA Watercross Nationals, and the 2008 HYDRO-TURF APBA National Tour round number 7 from Harbor Beach, Michigan. One or two new shows will be introduced each month. By the end of the summer PWC racing enthusiasts will be able to choose from a large number of full length videos to watch on the APBA web site.

“We have a very large archive of old race videos”, said Patrick Mell, APBA PWR Director of Marketing and Events. “Being involved in promoting and organizing PWC racing events for both the APBA and IJSBA for more than 20 years I have ac***ulated a very large archive of videos that is probably close to 70 shows. Many of these shows were produced way before the invention of the DVD, so the conversion process will be a little work, but we will get them converted and slowly release many cool old racing videos. There will be classic events from the old APBA Great Lakes Tour, Midwest Watercross Tour, Pro Watercross Tour, APBA Yamaha Hot Water Tour, XSTV shows and others as well as the APBA National Tour events from the last few years.

This is some great new technology and will take some work to take advantage of all the ways it can be used to promote the sport. We look forward to capitalizing on this new technology. There will be many benefits to the new online broadcast of APBA events. This will help both the APBA, its race promoters and the racers show current and potential sponsors the great exposure they can receive from getting involved in PWC racing.”

While of course the online quality of videos is nowhere near DVD quality, the majority of the shows will be available for purchase in DVD format. The shows can be purchased from the APBA Online Store.

So what are you waiting for? Check it out on the APBA website at www.APBARACING.com or copy and paste the following for a direct link to APBA PWC Television - http://www.apbaracing.com/apbatv.html .