? about the AOF

[Kristi Ellison]

Randy

I never raced mod....I raced C-SerH back in the early 80's
and RB Hydro after I graduated from Formula 350H. My maiden name is Hellsten perhaps you remember my Dad Pete or know my brothers Chris and Curt.

As for adding mod classes to the USTS schedule, that cannot happen per our charter. As a good will gesture we add OSY400 to our schedule a couple times per year and maybe let the capsules run a heat of 700H in place of one of their 1100H heats but to keep in line with the program that is as far as we can deviate.

If anyone wants to start a Series I will be happy to serve as a resource.

Good Luck
Kristi

[AOFoffice]

Randy,
What you are suggesting can be done.
The USTS started with a plan and have not waivered much from that plan. Also, they are just a club.

You could do exactly the same thing in MOD. Here's how.
1. Get a club together and get a plan for your USMS (US Mod Series).
2. Decide which classes you want to run.
3. Sell sponorship
4. Make your show fast and exciting.
5. Reward your drivers.
6. Watch yourself grow.

The above plan can be implemented in either AOF or APBA. Maybe a little bit easier in AOF because of the very liberal step up chart.
Working with weights and legal step ups should make a lot of the MOD engines pretty compatible for combining.

The problem is not that it can't be done. The real problem is WHO is going to do it?!!
The early founders of USTS like Kay Harrison and others DID it. We need someone who will take the chance to actually get off the computer and DO it. I know that AOF would help and I am sure that APBA would too on such a venture.

Connie

[AOFoffice]

Randy,
1. Get a club together and get a plan for your USMS (US Mod Series).
2. Decide which classes you want to run.
3. Sell sponorship
4. Make your show fast and exciting.
5. Reward your drivers.
6. Watch yourself grow.

Now that I have given points 1-6 I can tell you the problems:
1. Getting a club and a plan: Problem: no one can get away or is willing to travel to the planning meeting. Everyone has a different idea on the plan.
2. Deciding which classes to run: Drivers want "their" class. And they don't want "their" class combined.
3. Selling sponsorship: Instead of realizing that selling sponsorship is a club duty, some will sit back and wait for the national body to sell the sponsorship. In AOF the clubs have all control about what classes, how much money is made, how a race is run, etc. AOF supplies insurance and keeps points if a club wants us too. Only that. Everything else is up to the club.
4. Making the show fast and exciting---think about a good announcer. Have a schedule and stick too it. Volunteer to help. No one likes down time.
5. Reward your drivers: self explanatory. However, what we all need to do is "appreciate" each other. Also, if you are in the vicinity of a race of a different category, show up and help. Do that instead of insisting that your class be added to the schedule. The favor might be returned. We are all boat racers and not one category is better than the other, we are people who like to have fun.
6. Growing: It can happen. But not unless we quit complaining and start 'doing" something.
Connie

[RandY Aveline]

Kristi

i guess i got the wrong impression as you responded to steves suggestion of doing it for 1 race and i was under the impression that you might attempt to make it happen
i was merely attempting to say that i would try to show up and support it

please dont dangle the carrot if you dont want the mule to move

randy

[RandY Aveline]

i agree joe it truly is a participant sport !
1 in which participants are slowly being lost !

the disscussion of combining and closing classes has been a tuff 1 over several years for sure

just as DsR is almost dead and im truly a runabout man
(a rowboat driver can step up to hydro but a hydro driver cant realy get the hang of a rowboat)

i think NBRA is doing well with cutting or eliminating classes but its never an easy thing to do

the 39.9 d class is a good example and it has takin several years to accomplish it tho , and they are still around even tho d pistons arent lol

buit i think altering rules to compensate combined classes is a good idea for dying classes.
apba has allowed a lesser weight for the 39.9 its only 30 pounds , finnaly after approx 30 years we are starting to see the 44 -D getting faster than the 39.9-D in the late 80,s my 39.9 ran faster than most 44,s and 30 lbs less will help a good 39.9-D but due to parts theres only a few good 1s left thus it will slowly go away
i hope it doesnt take 30 years to eliminate some more classes LOL

guess one solution is to combine close or like classes and let the strong survive
if combined soon the stronger class will just take over cause the slower of the combined to be dropped

and then they will just buy a better err different block or power head and step it to the faster of the combined

as a lot of 4 cyclinder guys are doing in NBRA/mod as well as combining the merc 30 with the 102 for the cmh,cmr class guys can still run the 30 merc but only the best 30 merc can survive that combo as the yamato seems to be dominating i guess you can see the point

it seems the only way we can eliminate classes is due to attrition or lack of parts err that is and not hurt some 1's feelings

change is good but it takes time we just have to shorten the time that it takes


well its late and im tired i cna finaly sleep now

ttl guys

P.S hi ya connie how's my iowa sweetie doing ?
thanks for the replacement plaque u sent me awhile back

Randy 23-H

[Kristi Ellison]

I never intended to dangle any carrots or give anyone the wrong impression. I was just letting Connie know the USTS is always open to new race sites especially in the midwest. Minnesota and Wisconsin are great places to go in the summer for those of us wishing to escape the sweltering heat of the deep south.

Kristi

[AOFoffice]

Kristi, that is alright. I knew what you were saying. We are working on some possible sites.

Randy,
This is the only problem that I see with what you are saying about NBRA: They have done an excellent job of combining, but they are basically a mod organization with a couple of stock classes stuck in. I would think that if you looked at the IOA club, (King of the APBA mod clubs), and compared it to NBRA you would see parallels. Now, try adding more stock and pro classses and you end up with what? APBA again.
More members, more classes, same problems.
Of course, I have the AOF perspective: Combine everything according to speed (when it is safe)-stock mod and pro. Or, have clubs that are specialized and schedule only certain classes that work in their areas. Call it AOF.
Sorry, I'm shameless. I know.
Connie

[Kristi Ellison]

Connie

I am working on a site....details to come when it is solid!! Are you going to DePue next weekend??? If so I will look forward to seeing you and I will fill you in

Kristi

[AOFoffice]

Kristi,
I will be there. Let me know what I can do to help at race and for a possible new race site.

Also, AOF racers, don't forget. You get your points for ALL USTS races!
APBA points, USTS points, and AOF points. No excuse to stay home1
Connie

[Dave M]

Correct Me If...

NBRA runs just about everything APBA does, they have simply combined Mod and Stock categories, picked the largerst classes, and made a list of classes. I don't think there is many motors anyone is running today that are not legal in NBRA. Mod and Stock run together, speeds similar. Like the 44XS stocker running in with the D Mods. (40CI).

Sure wish some other clubs would see the nice format and consider it. WOrks very well, testing in the morning, racing in the afternoon, done by 5:00 or 6:00 and everyone is happy. No 18 hour days. And oh yeah, lots still camp at the races there to, so the bonfire stories and the beer are great.

[AOFoffice]

Dave,
It is no doubt that "other" sanctioning bodies are healthy and growing. AOF is extremely excited with the future. APBA doesn't need to change their affilitation, but sure could take a look at what is working in both AOF and NBRA and see how they could benefit from those models.
We already had one good combined organizational race with cooperation. Maybe now the next step is to get some of the technical gurus together to see how we can all meet in the middle for the benefit of all racing.
You are quite a salesman for NBRA. Maybe you should sell a race in your area and get it started there. You know, 'Field of dreams"....build it and they will come.

[Dave M]

In my Area..

Well, it has been discussed. Just not a reality yet. To be honest COnnie, I am not a salesman for NBRA, AOF, or APBA. But when one sees a model working, and others not working as well as it should, I see potential for growth. Not saying any one of the bodies needs to switch their call sign. If one truly wants to grow what we do, then we should all be working together.

It is like beating a dead horse, this same thing has been talked about on this site since its inception I think. Every winter. To bad it is just all talk. If the agreement signed in LA is worth anything, you would see a lot of races this summer offering this. So far I have not heard of any. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

[BP125V]

IL races

Hi Dave,

FYI-

the Stock, Mod, J, OSY races at Rochelle, IL and DePue are sanctioned by the APBA with AOF listed as co-host.

Plus I'v been working with Dan from the NBRA to try and work something out with them as well.

Bill III

[Kristi Ellison]

Remember USTS has a co-op aggreement with AOF. Any racer who is an AOF member gets AOF and APBA points at a USTS race. I hope to see you all in DePue!!!!

Kristi

[pro350hydro]

Remember USTS has a co-op aggreement with AOF. Any racer who is an AOF member gets AOF and APBA points at a USTS race. I hope to see you all in DePue!!!!

Kristi

AOF would like to thank the US Title Series for the continued support with the co-op agreement. It really is a great thing. Just ask Tim Small Title Series racer who won $500.00 in 2005 just for being an AOF member and racing his boat.

Mike Sattler
AOF VP of Comp
R-15 350cc Hydro