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

[Dave M]

Common Theme

In the many threads of why the sport is declining, this one is no different, it seems a common theme always pops up, money or lack of.

Someone mentioned a lot of the saftey issues mandated that are adding costs to the racer, etc. Sure, it is a minimal cost, but how many minimal costs can we absorb and not become pissed off ?

So I would suggest cost reduction as a way to promote the sport. I also read where it cost a lot to put on a race, so clubs stop putting them on if they can't get a sponsor. How about this suggestion. Reduce your insurance cost and sanction fee so you don't lose money. There are many alternatives if one would simply like to boat race and stop the political things. But it seems we are stuck in a rut that is to deep to get out of.

[B Walker]

PWC use a completely different business model than we do. Offshore uses the same model. Not sure about Unlimiteds, Inboards, etc....

They use a professional sports promoter dedicated to creating and selling an event. This promoter will often share the burden of profit or loss by contractural obligation. In other words, they have some blood in the game.

I have spoken to several professional sports promotors, even got one to come to one of our events, and been told we just dont have the numbers or enough of a show to be able to be marketed.

It all goes back to do we race for ourselves, or do we put on a show that can be packaged, promoted, and marketed?

At this point I think we race for ourselves. Turning around the membership decline has to be the first priority. I think our current leadership recognizes this and has made it their highest priority.

Without growth, we dont have anything.

Dean Sutherland has the exact numbers, but from memory, Stock Outboard membership peaked in 1974 and has declined every year scince except a few years in the mid 80's when the OMC motor was brought in. That is 33 years of decline that we have mostly just wrung our hands over and done alot of talking about.

Now we can barely hold a race that pays for itself in most of the country. Actually, its been that way for quite a long time. Most Regions have an "anchor" race that draws people from outside the Region that they make money at. Enough to finance the other races in the region that are financial loosers.

BW

To paraphrase John Lennon: What would happen if they held a boatrace and nobody showed up?

[raceright]

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

Sherron@aprsuperleague.com maybe phone 304 455 2049
APBA Promotions Director--met her at Raleigh she was hired by
Mark Weber
Pat

[B Walker]

Appointing a APBA Stock Outboard Director of Marketing and Events is certainly a step in the right direction.

That said:

Please remember this is an unpaid position and has very little budget.

I believe that until sustained growth occurs, any money thrown into marketing is pointless.

BW

[HRTV]

Appointing a APBA Stock Outboard Director of Marketing and Events is certainly a step in the right direction.

That said:

Please remember this is an unpaid position and has very little budget.

I believe that until sustained growth occurs, any money thrown into marketing is pointless.

BW

Brad has got a valid point since all the directors in world cannot make a show to promote out of a race with only 3 or 4 boats, I guess it true at this time we have nothing to market so a marketing director would be pointless. I hate to say it but it almost seem completely hopeless to ever be anything more then just a bunch of guys having fun for a few hours on the weekend.

Thanks to everyone who took part in this discussion.

[B Walker]

Not picking at ya Dan

I hate to say it but it almost seem completely hopeless to ever be anything more then just a bunch of guys having fun for a few hours on the weekend.

Thats a fair description of the worst Stock Outboard is, currently. Which is not too bad.

At its best I believe Stock Outboard to be an extended family capable of tremendous acts of kindness and generosity to one another. I have dozens of examples and I am sure anyone that has has been around for even a year or two can think of a couple.

And that isnt too bad either

BW

[Kev43V]

Appointing a APBA Stock Outboard Director of Marketing and Events is certainly a step in the right direction.

That said:

Please remember this is an unpaid position and has very little budget.

I believe that until sustained growth occurs, any money thrown into marketing is pointless.

BW

that is why i feel we should be marketing growth!
there has to be plenty of nuts out there that will fit right in with the rest of us nuts LOL

[Tim Small]

Usts

I race in the USTS. Anyone who thinks we are just a bunch of guys getting together for few hours on a weekend is sadly mistaken. Many of the big rigs in the pits resemble NASCAR, and the technology in the engines and boats is second to none.

[HRTV]

Not picking at ya Dan



Thats a fair description of the worst Stock Outboard is, currently. Which is not too bad.

At its best I believe Stock Outboard to be an extended family capable of tremendous acts of kindness and generosity to one another. I have dozens of examples and I am sure anyone that has has been around for even a year or two can think of a couple.

And that isnt too bad either

BW

I'm good Brad no worries the old saying goes "it is what is" I still think its good to have these discussions from time to time if nothing else just to get folks thinking.

[ryan_4z]

I race in the USTS. Anyone who thinks we are just a bunch of guys getting together for few hours on a weekend is sadly mistaken. Many of the big rigs in the pits resemble NASCAR, and the technology in the engines and boats is second to none.

Very true. For many of us, being a boat racer is a lifestyle, not a hobby.

[L. Allen]

And for others, boatracing is their life.

[Flint54]

If I may I would like to add my personal perspective of boat racing in general.

First a little personal history. In 1974 I left home in Minnesota and joined the US Coast Guard, during that 21 year career I was involved in numerous boat races from coast to coast. Detroit and Miami were where I became most involved both professional and personal. I grew up in a family that believed in community involvement using your personal abilities and resources. Thus, in the spring of 2006 I met up with the individuals of the "Carolina Cup Regatta". I had purchased my first new boat at the age of 50 after being told by my wife while looking at it, "Why don't you just buy it, it's time you get something you will enjoy and not have to fix every time you try to take it out." So, I did and went looking for something to use it for other than just myself.

I ENJOY all boat racing but personally, I have more respect for each and everyone of you, the outboards, inboards who with your $$, sweat, tears, risks, injuries etc that do this because you LOVE what you do. There are many people out here, away from your inner world that don't see any of this turmoil within the ranks. What these people want to see is "BOAT RACING!!"

They don't care if it is an inboard race, an outboard race. They like the noise, colors, spray, spins and spills, bumps and grinds. Above all they LOVE you the owners, drivers, pit crews who take the time to give a bit of yourselves to them, answering their silly questions, letting their kids sit in your boats, listening to your stories and so much more that you give them just by being there to race. You give them time to plan family outings and bring them together and create lifelong memories, just like you had when you decided to get into, stick with or continue a family tradition of being a boat racer.

I truly respect each and every one, that is one reason that I involve myself in helping out putting on races, it is not easy and many times I wish that all I had to do was just be a racer and have to go with the rules and show up to a race, run the race either in fresh or salt water, clean up and then go home and get ready for the next one.

What the amateur level (no pay) of boat racing needs in my very humble opinion is to work together. Run races with both inboard and outboard venues, the spectators don't mind one bit, costs also can be decreased overall just by having more boats period.

Anyway, time for me to get off my soap box, I just wanted to put a little perspective in from outside the inner ranks. Take care, Be Safe and see you at the Races!!

God Bless, Bob K.

[HRTV]

Thanks again to everyone who took part in this discussion refreshments are now being served in the lobby

Enjoy

[ryan_4z]

Bob, Thanks a lot for your input, you are correct, we must work together. Thank you also for all you are doing to help boat racing in Region 4, we do appreciate it.

[mr2boats]

Unity could be a positive approach

Dan
Here we go i suppose you could say i came from old school and as Bill Huson has stated and as Dan the man knows as well unity in our sport is a must.One of the things for years was striving to keep Region 4 together espscially at the region meetings.Stock Mod Pro OPC and Inboard our elders made sure we were unique and stayed together,there were problems with a couple of the inboarders poking at the outboarders and things got out of hand and the next thing you know it seems all that is left is inboard participation on the region level. However my hat is off to all those involved from Jerry Glass to Terry Browning to The Shanes and yes to ALL the outboarders From Ponds to Augustines for having a batch of races in unity i think it is terrific.
Dan you and I both know how many racers became friends from unity.
Promoting the sport is just one of the factors making people aware of ALL classes Stock Mod Pro etc. yes i suppose you could say i sorta jumped ship to inboard but my heart Always is with the outboarders.
In 1984 we had a new promotional member who wanted to get things going again in the region and actually made me do the leg work to get Sharptown off the ground,this gentleman wanted to find race sites and i found a couple to get a couple races in Region 4 and the mans name is Bill Huson with Pop Augustines guidance and phone directory Bill probably made more phone calls than imaginable and his lovely wife Linda became a work of art on the judges stand or should i say scorers stand.The other race we got off the ground was actually in region 3 and was a region 4 race.
Bill i hope you are reading this boy we outdid ourselves on this one a sewage plant to our left and grain silos to our right which gave us more itches than poison ivy we added a whole new meaning to racing the riverfest in slower lower Seaford Delaware.
The one thing i can say is we all love boat racing and have a huge network of friendships that last a lifetime in boat racing i never have met a stranger.
To all if i can help with getting any new race sites or doing the leg work for the club i do not have a problem with that.
Sincerly
Tim Lee