Future of OSY - Pro or Stock

[pro350hydro]

Hi Jacking

I'm probably hijacking your thread but I have a question.

You guys are all worried about osy400. But how did the Antique Classes become part of the pro catagory?

They are Antiques. Shouldn't they be in the museum or in an Antique Catagory?

[sam]

... how did the Antique Classes become part of the pro catagory? They are Antiques. Shouldn't they be in the museum or in an Antique Catagory?

Actually they were there first ... your question would sort of be like asking "Who is this old guy living in my house and how can I evict him?" The old guy is your grandfather and he built your house.

[David Weaver]

I was not clear....

Sorry you feel that way. You are not the first person to tell me I am wasting my time.

"You" was intended to be more generic, such as "you all" or more common in Atlanta "Ya'll".

[David Weaver]

USTS Class Schedule

When did 125ccr and 125cch become a USTS class? I thought that there were just "6" classes - 250, 350 and 500?

Yes, the classes racing for USTS Season High Point awards are those core classes. In addition, the BOD voted to add to the USTS weeeknd schedules 125ccH, 125ccR, 1100ccH and K PRO for 2006. Also, at selected venues the BOD may additional classes (such as OSY 400 and 1100ccR at Constantine).

[David Weaver]

More musings on OSY

Doug, the discussion is good. Personally, I think that the race organizers can put on classes that seem to work in their region and not worry whether it's a PRO class or not: entries a little low? Schedule OSY and CSH and make a few extra bucks.

Two examples:

It doesn't matter what category OSY is in - it's a bonafide class that you can run or not as you see fit.

As an organizer, you can schedule whatever you think will draw the most entries - you don't need a category VP, BOD or LMNOP to do that. Run YOUR schedule that benefits your club the most.

As for some members wanting to rid the PRO category of OSY; it is the largest class at the PRO nationals each year, was the second largest class at Raleigh last year, and allowed a stock guy (myself) to race, with the PRO members of my family, at DePue, Norwood, Constantine, Lake Village, and Raleigh. We towed a trailer with 3 or 4 OSY to many USTS events and had a great time doing it.

In short, it's not all negative by having a gas-burner in your category.

Sean

I agree with most of Sean's thread. I do not believe that OSY 400 was the largest class at the PRO Nationals each of the past 5 years. Participation seems to vary year to year. Also, if you run/ran OSY 400 that qualifies you as a PRO driver. Additionally, there is no prohibition to using gas in any PRO class and no requirement to use methanol in any PRO class.

A little more history as I recall it. When the first Yamato's 80's appeared (mid 70's via Tom Ige), the SO commission showed little/no interest in it (I am sure that Mercury was pleased to see some competition ). The PRO category adopted the engine into a new class Formula 350 aimed at attracting new participants. I believe that a few PRO members/commissioners even ran a special purchase program to help new drivers. The first 80 I saw was at the PRO Nationals in Hinton, WV 1977 driven by Eric Pugh.
Later this class became Novice 350 in PRO and the SO category did end up adding 20ssH and 20ssR. A domestic outboard engine manufacturer went on later to destroy as many Yamato 80's as it could find in order to support outboard racing in the US .

With the arrival of the 102's, UIM created OSY 400 and the PRO category followed the lead. During the 1970's and 1980's there was considerable interest in UIM events amongst the PRO category drivers. So, this all would seem to tie together. UNtil the revival of the 125 class, the PRO category needed a good entry level class and Formula 350 and then OSY 400 fit that need well.

Here we are in 2006 with a raging debate that never would have started except for some unfortunate cir***stances in Alexandria, LA earlier this year.

I suggest that a Poll be set-up for registered OSY 400 drivers. SO, PRO, MOD or I don't G.A.S. could be the choices. Of course, it will not result in any direct action or change. But it could be used to support/refute any proposed change (presented to the PRO Commission, SO Commission and/or APBA) in writing.

At the end of the day, I like OSY 400 in the PRO category. But, if OSY 400 drivers want to move this class then I would support the wishes of OSY 400 drivers. But think carefully through all the ramifications before "casting your opinion". How many OSY 400 drivers have won PRO Hall of Champion status? PRO High Point awards, set records (sorry J. Michael still hope you get it), etc.?

David Weaver
Region 14 PRO Commissioner

[Dr. Thunder]

Excellent post David ...

Now, how about doing the same for our little K-Pro buddies ... how did K-Pro become a Pro category classification.

[David Weaver]

My Recollection of K RPO

Now, how about doing the same for our little K-Pro buddies ... how did K-Pro become a Pro category classification.

It was created in the PRO division. Original engines were Mercury's running on methanol.

[DeanFHobart]

Interesting

DAVID,

WHAT MODEL OF MERCURY? KG4'S AND MK15'S. AND WHAT YEAR WAS THAT?

[alky6]

DAVID,

WHAT MODEL OF MERCURY? KG4'S AND MK15'S. AND WHAT YEAR WAS THAT?

It was the Mercury 10xs and it was started, in part, by Doc Collins.
Best I can remember the date (as I was just barely old enough to run, early 1980's.)

-paul

[ricochet112]

Now, how about doing the same for our little K-Pro buddies ... how did K-Pro become a Pro category classification.

K-Pro came about when "J" moved from SO to it's own category and Pro wanted a "no weight" junior class so they called it K-Pro.

Is it just me, or does Pro do things differently so they don't follow SO or Mod in any way

I like OSY, but if it were to be a "true" UIM class then why did APBA let us alter the engine? I think we should run it with ALL the UIM rules in place, but that would kill the class, new boats and new engines for all

[bill boyes]

The motor was the Merc 10sx. This was a pet project of the late Doc Collins. Doc wanted to get this motor approved by the SORC and was denied. So he took the motor to the Pro Commission and it was approved for J pro hydro. Not many were sold. But Doc owned about 5 of them with boats and would put kids in them. Speeds were about 46mph. My son Matt started this way as did RJ West. Merc scraped the remaining motors that were not sold so the Pro Commission approved the OMC 15 motor without a restrictor. So it really became an ASH without weight and the min age of 11. A few years ago for some reason the Pro Commission changed the name of the class from J Pro to Kids Pro also known as "K" Pro.

[bill boyes]

It was the Mercury 10xs and it was started, in part, by Doc Collins.
Best I can remember the date (as I was just barely old enough to run, early 1980's.)

-paul

Matt started racing in 1988 in J pro and Doc was just getting the class started.

[Kristi Ellison]

Let's leave KPH out of this discussion....it fits well right where it is. It is needed as a true starter class and it goes about the same speed as the old "M" class which is now 125 when they first started about 28 years ago.
It is a PRO class controlled by the PRO catagory and no one has an issue with it.

David is right this would not be a thread if the incident in Alex had not occured, it is resolved, so why change anything now??

Sean I am sure 125H is the largest class at the Nationals....Bev will correct me if I am wrong.

I also agree with Sean...run what works for your club. I don't know of any reason to move this class to the SO catagory. It all sounds knee jerk to me.

DW
Pass more popcorn and another Miller Lite please....maybe a little Makers Mark for this one!

Kristi

[propnuts]

This is a truly dumb thread

PRO has OSY, Stock has CSH, and it works fine for both. Enough already.

[Cameraboy]

lesson learned?

Naw, it's not a dumb thread - regardless of the what one thinks of the idea of OSY400 to Stock.

This thread is the result of an incident that started with some miscommunication and and got worse through further miscommunication.

The thread itself has had some good thinking and information in it, regardless of some stuff in it that one might view as crap. In that sense, it was a form of good communication.

The lesson I take from all of this is, that despite cell phones and the internet, humans still do a crappy job of communicating with each other. And bad communications begets a buttload of other problems.

Take it from a poor communicator