? about the AOF

[Lights]

I see that it has a home address in Center point Iowa. But is there any AOF races here in the Upper Midwest or APBA's region 8 area?

Just looking for races in my area. Also trying to keep this board moving.

[AOFoffice]

Blunt

Lights,
I can give my opinion.
I will be blunt (and you may be sorry you asked the question).
One of the reasons for lack of races, (AOF or APBA) in Region 8 is because we have lost many who at one time were the “drivers” of the races. By that I am not referring to the “racers,” but the people who go out and find the races, sign them, set up, referee, tear down, etc. etc. etc. (I have done it for 40 years and I am TIRED) After wearing ourselves out physically and being tromped on mentally, it finally becomes time to retire and pass the torch. If no one picks up the torch, then our sport dies.

boat racers are:
Lazy
Arrogant
Prejudice
Close-minded
Self absorbed and selfish
Afraid, and
Forgot about Fun

An AOF race can be staged for around $320 for two days of racing. With all of the lakes and race sites we have in Minnesota and Iowa, we should be having a race every week end that it doesn’t snow. We used to.

Why don’t we?
Lazy: We want to show up, race, and go home. We want someone else to do the work. Just try getting turn judges and see what I mean.
Arrogance: If it isn’t an APBA race, we won’t go. Last year AOF sent a letter to every club in the area offering them free AOF sanctions and insurance for any of their races. No takers in region 7 or 8. Highlands Outboard in Florida took up the offer and look at them go! If we lost even one site in region 7 or 8 after that offer, then shame on us!
Prejudice: Above, plus, we won’t take the time to learn that AOF really isn’t much different than APBA. To many it would be just too “un-American “ to race anything but APBA and won’t even give AOF a chance. AOF has joined APBA as a club and is now allowed to give points to any AOF member. This has the opportunity to draw a driver or two who actually might want the AOF points. Some even refuse to do that!
Close-Minded: Even if we are told the differences, we don’t believe them. AOF is second best to APBA, (some say) but we don’t mind. If a club or site is losing money or if there is a new race site that needs to be tried out, then the alternative is AOF. Unfortunately our close-mindedness, prejudice and arrogance let us let a site die, instead of doing a race for $320 and build it. AOF has a purpose and we know what it is. Too bad that some close minded attitudes won’t even look at the advantages.
Self Absorbed and selfish: I have heard way too many times, “we would do this race AOF except I am trying for an APBA high point in my class.” So, 5 trailers show up, the club looses money and a race is not held again on that site. Driver did not win high point either. But then again, no one else steps forward to put on the race, so who loses? We all do as we drive 10 hours to race the next year.
Afraid: Boat racers are afraid of change, or something different. We want to live in the past. Heck, just start a new organization to keep from change.
Forgot about our ‘hobby” of racing boats and the FUN it is supposed to bring us. AOF has not forgotten and as a non-profit racing organization our emphasis is on FUN and not on whether we run a local race with a 22xx in a 27ss class. (I made that up). We don’t make a living racing boats, it doesn’t buy our groceries, and many of us are too serious. By using the AOF non-profit status to give to charities and local civic groups when we make money, we keep our ideals on the ground. It should be about having fun, plain and simple.

And then again, some don’t race AOF in region 8 because there is an old grandmother in region 8 who is very passionate about our sport and shares her opinionated views.
Connie Payn
email me at AOFOffice@aol.com and I will help you set up and do a race in region 8.
:

[Lights]

Thanks for answering my questions Connie. I remember the old days of Midwest powerboat ass in the 70's and early 80's. My dad owned three Alky's. There used to be alot of races up here in what I call the tri-states area(MN, WI, IO).

I think we need some new beginnings up here to keep racing alive in are parts. We need to get back to local fun affordable racing.

I don't know if I have the brain's or enough time to do the leg work though. Sure would like to. Winona MN would be a great spot in the center of the Tri-State area for a race. I remember we used to race there every year when I was little. I'll have to think about your offer of help.

Mark

[Kristi Ellison]

Hey Grumpy Grandma

I would be happy to persue a USTS joint sanction APBA/AOF race in Winona. Get me a sight and I will get you started....Connie and I make a good team and we like to work and have fun!!!

Kristi

[DougMc]

Aof

AOF,

Thanks for the aggressive schedule in Florida. I can't make them all due to the long drive/cost/work, but will be able to attend many. I had to choose between the Jan and Feb race and opted for the Feb race since it is a championship. I hope for solid turn outs, and it is nice to be in a position to have to decide which races to attend with there being 17+ races among the AOF, APBA and USTS this year. I am excited about Ocala and thank you for considering Tallahassee.

Doug, 50-F

[Lights]

Response to Kristi's post

Would we have enough interest as far as competitors able to make a race in Winona?

Mark

[Kristi Ellison]

For A USTS race I think we would have plenty of interest and a good turnout if all the supporting factors workout....we drive to Omaha every year.

Kristi

[AOFoffice]

Kristi,
I did sound kinda grumpy, didn't I? I wrote with a smile. There are many racers, like you, Kristi, that keep some of us old timers going. You remind me of me about 100 years ago. Keep up the good work, and I love working with you. We do make a good team. Watch out guys!
I have some ideas Kristi, and I will email you with a super race site with money that was offered.
Lights, Midwest Powerboat used to be a mecca of racing. I think we raced on every one of the 100,000 lakes that Minnesota boasts on the license plates at one time or another. As for Winona, we should send out a letter to everyone we can think of in region 8. At 320 dollars a sanction and insurance, I bet we could make that in entry fees. We would have the cost of an ambulance, and if everyone would work for free, maybe we could scrape up enough boats to come. We would have to see if there would be enough interest to also join AOF though.
Steve Johnson was here last week. Maybe we can get him to help.
Connie

[Kristi Ellison]

Be careful you two....now you have gotten me started before you know it we will be headed to Minnesota for a race....I remember going to Winona for the Pro Nationals many years ago, back when Connie was not 100 , and it was beautiful. The USTS has the largest portion of it's membership in the midwest so numbers at a midwest race will not be a problem.

I am looking forward to your email Connie.

Kristi

[Kristi Ellison]

Keep in mind we should plan this for 2007....if I put one more race on for this year Ed Thirlby is bound to have a baby and I can't afford to lose him!!

[Lights]

Connie,

I'll have to talk with Steve about the possibilities. He has been helping me get my equipment together to get started in this crazy sport. I am working on my CSH at his place this Wed.

Mark

[Steve Johnson]

Usts

I am In, *However > local classes DMH DMR DSH CSH need be on the sanction.
I recall the local michigan drivers requesting something like this for constantine last year and the USTS was not flexible on it's schedule.
My concern is the greatist good for the growth of the local Club and allowing the most oppertunity for local compitition.
If USTS will help, good deal. if not I would prefer to go the OPC route and schedule PRO classes that the region could support. Course we have had that policy here for several years and have had almost "ZERO" support from the local pro guys. A shame cause I enjoy watching them run. I just don't belive that we would have more than fourtrailers as a strictly KNeel down race and would forever lose a preimer spot like Winnona with a poor showing.
It also would do vertually no good to just have a USTS event blow into town and not offer any venue for the other 9 drivers up here that have been trying to carry the torch.
just an opinion as I do not hold any Official title with MWPBA. the wicked witch of the north has ruined any possibility of me sticking my neck out for that abuse
Steve

[Lights]

As for a USTS event I would have to second what Steve said.

Quote
*However > local classes DMH DMR DSH CSH need be on the sanction.

We need to build are local club some how. Maybe some open running club days / evenings. With flyers at the local marine stores, snowmobile and cycle shops etc. with the possibility of providing the onlookers a chance to give a boat a spin for a nomanal fee. I think we could put a safe loaner rig together. Just may have to take up a collection to do it.

How could we get affordable ins. for something like this?


Just my thoughts,
Mark

[sam]

How could we get affordable ins. for something like this?

Make it (the testing/demonstration event) an AOF "race", right Connie? Your club might even find a way for AOF to grant you the money for the event .... AOF is often looking for legitimate ways to dispurse it's cash.

[AOFoffice]

Sam, that would have been my suggestion. Does anyone wonder why I have gray hair?
Connie