A Plan that WILL work

[pav225]

Thanks Pat for your many contributions to the Stock category over the years. We wouldn't be where we are today, if not for you.lol?

I knew I should have bought you a beverage in Detroit!

[Haüenstein]

Hey now

[mdaspit]

How can I get one of those shirts?

[ram95]

There's nothing WRONG with our sport. It is what it is. There are definitely some areas where things could be improved. We just need to be friendly about it.

It's a simple fact that not as many kids are into fixing mechanical stuff (like outboards) and not enough Dads are fascinated by the idea of building a wooden boat. Our high schools have boarded up 'shop class' in a lot of places. Jet skiis and snomobiles are practically bullet-proof...gas and go...get outta the way.... plug-n-play!

I see more good happening than bad. This site and the discussions are good. The national meeting this year was good. The class restructuring presentation by Dean (the talking machine) was good. Only trouble is Dean probably spent 10 days putting it together and we (the SORC) only had about 15 minutes to digest what he said. Yeah, I was one of the original "no" votes. But, the next day things moved forward and progress was made.

One area tho, where I see us as our own worst enemy is in the making of cumbersome rules, rules which cost the member money, rules which attempt to replace common sense. Another is the fact that our numbers are small, with pockets of racers (Reg 6,7 for example) spread across 3000 miles. So one size might not fit all, allowances have to be made. Nothing ever stays the same. Please note tho, that I didn't say relax.

Alex

[blueskyracer]

There's nothing WRONG with our sport. It is what it is. There are definitely some areas where things could be improved. We just need to be friendly about it.

It's a simple fact that not as many kids are into fixing mechanical stuff (like outboards) and not enough Dads are fascinated by the idea of building a wooden boat. Our high schools have boarded up 'shop class' in a lot of places. Jet skiis and snomobiles are practically bullet-proof...gas and go...get outta the way.... plug-n-play!

I see more good happening than bad. This site and the discussions are good. The national meeting this year was good. The class restructuring presentation by Dean (the talking machine) was good. Only trouble is Dean probably spent 10 days putting it together and we (the SORC) only had about 15 minutes to digest what he said. Yeah, I was one of the original "no" votes. But, the next day things moved forward and progress was made.

One area tho, where I see us as our own worst enemy is in the making of cumbersome rules, rules which cost the member money, rules which attempt to replace common sense. Another is the fact that our numbers are small, with pockets of racers (Reg 6,7 for example) spread across 3000 miles. So one size might not fit all, allowances have to be made. Nothing ever stays the same. Please note tho, that I didn't say relax.

Alex

very well said. I must say the rules are a problem, They don't have to be changed every year just to prove the board members are doing there job.

No matter what happens we will be at the races even if we are the only ones. Way to much fun!!

[D_Allen_III]

Facing the Facts

I just got out of a depressing staff meeting where some of the Union representatives from the school district I teach in spoke to us about changes being made to the education system across the state. To summarize, it was your pay will freeze or decrease, your contributions for insurance will go up 7%, your retirement contributions will go up 5% and the funding from city, state and federal governments will be going down on top that.

Bla, bla, bla no one really cares because everyone can give the same story about their employer and how they too will have way less money in the future (well maybe not everyone). Reason I bring this up is the whole time I sat there and listened, the only thing I thought about is how this is going to impact my racing program. People that don't a family history that involves a racing program aren't exactly looking for one with the current financial situation across the nation.

Do we have major issues facing our racing organizations and future? Of course we do, but we also need to consider the situation we are working against and the future clients we are trying to entice to join our hobby. I’m not sure what we have on the horizon and what we will have to endure in order for our racing to survive, but I like most hope that it’s here for my children and their children.

Keep the fiscal situation in mind when we think about growth and/or survival when we take our commissions, board of directors, marketing departments (or lack there of) and any of the other volunteers trying to save our sport to the stake. If we can maintain the racers and races we have it will be a success in my eyes, and those of you who plan on creating a growth plan for boat racing will be crowned geniuses if it can be put into action.

The final anecdote from the meeting I share is the part where the union representatives spoke to us about our public image is one of the most important elements we can control right now. Without public support and positivity, we are doomed. At that point I realized how similar the education system and boat racing actually are. Even though we all fight and claw for what we think is right, we at the same time create such negativity to any outsider, that stops the growth we try to pursue in order for our survival.

Pre-Super Bowl quote that applies to the situation: “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

Sincerely,



Donny Allen
Hopeful Future Racer

[RLR]

informal poll

I have witnessed many times that someone or another talks about the number of folks who have dropped off the rolls of 500H/250R-DMH-DSR etc, etc.

Question, how many of the AOF/NBRA members are former APBA members that no longer pay dues? How many for whatever the reason, rules, rules, or rules, have dropped out of APBA and gone somewhere else?

I think that there is much more to the issues of losing memberships in the categories, it is bigger than that I believe. I think we are losing membership to other associations. Just a thought that the numbers may be down, but how many are racing in another association.

But, I agree with Dean to get to the classes that "matter." Get the most for your money as a sponsor when you have 12 on the water.

Ray

[blueskyracer]

Our club does not race APBA because "small town USA" where we live and race cannot afford the sanction fees and the rules are to involved. We race to have lots of fun. Winning is an after thought.

[B Walker]

Question, how many of the AOF/NBRA members are former APBA members that no longer pay dues? How many for whatever the reason, rules, rules, or rules, have dropped out of APBA and gone somewhere else?

I think that there is much more to the issues of losing memberships in the categories, it is bigger than that I believe. I think we are losing membership to other associations. Just a thought that the numbers may be down, but how many are racing in another association.

Ray

Answer, none of the current AOF or NBRA members were ever APBA only members that got tired ot the "rules, rules, rules".

I can assure you that AOF and NBRA membership numbers have not increased by the amount of the decline in APBA. If anything, there are a number of people that no longer participate in the occasional APBA race but were in AOF or NBRA long before they ever attended an APBA race.

I can understand this may give the impression of APBA members moving to AOF or NBRA.

BW

[RLR]

None????

Answer, none of the current AOF or NBRA members were ever APBA only members that got tired ot the "rules, rules, rules".

I can assure you that AOF and NBRA membership numbers have not increased by the amount of the decline in APBA. If anything, there are a number of people that no longer participate in the occasional APBA race but were in AOF or NBRA long before they ever attended an APBA race.

Brad, that means we did lose them if they are no longer particpating in APBA even if they were AOF/NBRA members at the beginning of their career. They joined up in APBA, they are counted as participants and those numbers disappear but they are still racing.

I can understand this may give the impression of APBA members moving to AOF or NBRA.

BW

I can think of someone who I raced against for years, who's son is now a big proponent of NBRA and I would love to hear from the ODA guys and the Oklahoma guys, because I believe we would get a different answer Brad. They may never have joined APBA, but they are racers, who if under one umbrella would make the numbers look big time.

Ray

[14-H]

**** At that point I realized how similar the education system and boat racing actually are. *** Sincerely,



Donny Allen
Hopeful Future Racer

You're right, they're both broke. The difference is that the educational system gets tax dollars. Major difference!

[14-H]

**** APBA Plan 2000 and the SeaTac Plan both called for a complete revamping of the office and the antiquated way APBA was doing business.

Just Imagine!

My two cents.

Greg Jacobsen

The problem with those plans was where the money saved on the office was going to go. This time it will go to promote the sport, not to save a failing business.

[Ron Hill]

Run This By Me Again....

The problem with those plans was where the money saved on the office was going to go. This time it will go to promote the sport, not to save a failing business.

Did I miss a delete or two??? "This time it will go to promote the sport?"

The National head quarters does what to PROMOTE boat racing???? The Propeller magazine?? And the cost is ????

[B Walker]

Jack (and others)

I may be accused of semantics here.....but....

Please look at the end of year points of AOF and NBRA and give me a name of someone that was a former APBA only member (not a previous AOF/NBRA member) that left because of "rules, rules, rules".

That was the original statement I was refuting.

Also, I dont see growth in either NBRA or AOF due to APBA members leaving. In fact the decline in membership in AOF and NBRA looks about the same to me based on end of year point totals as the decline in APBA.

I see 3 or 4 names of former APBA members that have left APBA partly because of a variety of disagreements with APBA leadership/management but mostly because of regional proximity.

But hey, I may be out of touch on this one, let me know....

BW

Just for the record and for people that dont know me: My first race ever was at an AOF race in Lake Eufala, OK in mid 70's as we lived in OK, then NE at that time. I am a former Safety Director of AOF. I will most likely join NBRA this year (if they will have me) so I can race at one of the premiere events I see on any race organizations schedule at Lucas Oil Stadium in Wheaton, MO.

I will race boats anywhere, anytime, with anyone.



BW

[mdaspit]

will most likely join NBRA this year (if they will have me) so I can race at one of the premiere events I see on any race organizations schedule at Lucas Oil Stadium in Wheaton, MO.

I will race boats anywhere, anytime, with anyone.



BW

Yeah man,
I know those NBRA guys, not only "will they have you" in the NBRA, we will welcome you with open arms....Then, try to kick your butt on the race course.

Lucas Oil for sure, but also, plan on the Nationals this year in Oklahoma, just up the road from where you first raced!

Bring it Brad...