Stock Chairman's Long Term Plan

[14-H]

You want to know why you are wrong Ed? Just imagine having to go through all the BS we have gone through with 25ssR, in every single class, with 2, 3, or even 4 motors per class. Now you wanna talk about bulging beaurocracy, we would have to have at least a dozen parity committees!

Ryan: It's worth it. Somehow NBRA, AOF and the J Committee have figured it out.

But, the alternative that you propose (one engine: one class) means old equipment and current racers get obsoleted in favor of new stuff, and, when the opposition to the new stuff is too strong (fearing this), it takes decades to approve the new stuff or make it desirable (ie: C Stock Hydro).

By the way, that's the current status of APBA Stock Outboard, in case you haven't noticed.

[14-H]

Ed, Those who do think you're wrong, as I do, have simply given up trying to persuade you. It's not worth the effort. John 2-Z See you in LA.

Yes, John, but you never tell me WHY you think I'm wrong. And if you don't start soon, I'm going to stop staying up drinking until 6am and trying to spin the wheels on my motorhome to impress you to confide these things to me. Ed.

Legal disclaimer: Ed Hearn has never operated a recreational vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages and any reading of this post which might suggest to the contrary is properly misunderstood. Ed Hearn's Attorney.

[Ron Hill]

Why Ed IS Right....

Ed did a great thing this last Winter Nationals, he got AOF, NBRA and APBA to sign an agreement to make Boat Racing better...

Too many people in boat racing look out for themselves. In 1995, Ernie Dawe wrote an article for the Propeller expalining why and how to combine Stock and Mod...12 years later, his ideas are still solidly CORRECT (Basically, Ernie suggested that new Engines go to STOCK, old engines go to MOD....But neither Division GROW IN CLASSES)...

32 years ago my brother made a point system the pays more points for more boats beat, it is a great point system, but the majority of points chasers want to win without actually beating anyone.... (You can quote me)...

45,000 people watched motor cross at Angel Stadium last Saturday night....Did they have 47 classes and three Divisions???

Combined Divisions could have a SUPER NATIONALS every Five Years...On the off years, various areas could have Nationals. Each class could be bid and the best bid would get the Nationals....

I spent a little time today looking for a picture of those birds that stick their heads in the sand......but all I found was the February issue of Family and Performance Boating which bragged up The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 and how great the race was with 6 Divisions running together, drivers with different abilities, boats with different speeds, and spectators/RACERS having a great time....(They plan to run thier own boat next year)...

We ran 16 foot boats that went 40 and twin engine Chevy powered boats that went over ONE TEN.......One accident, driver fell out but wasn't hurt....300 miles in four hours....

If kneelers don't see the future...look at California...Southern California, in fact. ....We (KNEELERS) basically don't have enough boats to put on a race, as was witnessed this week of the cancelatins of a SPOSORED race....Roger Hewson, Gary Lewis, Tammy Dawe AND Jeff Connant...Angie Rae...Are all the kneelers we have and Angie doesn't own any equipment. Tito Smith didn't race all year...Broc Hll raced once, in a borrowed boat....Dave Mayer has some Pro equipment, went to DePue two years ago....Hasn't been to a race in california in five years.

Combine the three Divisions: Get new members to race with. Don't get new members to beat!!! Combine Classes. Increase the NUMBER OF LAPS, as in MOTO CROSS....Anyone ever think of looking at how they run their races?? Probably too many spectators to see how the races are run...Kind of like not seeing th forest because of all the trees!!!! Let's see 125 CC Moto Cross Runabout and 125 CC Moto Cross Mod Hydro, and 125 CC, Pro Moto Cross Runabout, and 125 CC Yamato 20SS Restricted Moto Cross Hydro... Does anyone read what I'm saying here???

Does a new member want to come to a race, no test time, race six laps Saturday and six laps Sunday??? NO! Is the Answer. If he really wants to race, he buys about six boats.....Classes need to be combined and heats need to be longer...

14-H There are Mountian Lions in the hills behind my house (Tustin Hills, Orange County), but in LA it won't being LIONS or Alligators to worry about!!!!! Rod Zapf asked me what I was going to do at the national Meeting and I said: Help with the breakfasts, ***** about anything that comes to my mind and drink FREE in the hostility room.....Ain't that what we always do??? That's what I told him....WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE..AOF WILL GROW MORE AND SO WILL NBRA.and you know who sees this...Ed Hearn!!!!! Ed's ideas are like my brother's ideas. about twenty years ahead of the rest .......

Just stay in your hotel, maybe go to the HOSTILITY Room...when not in meetings...

[ryan_4z]

Actually, I think the whole approach is wrong. Ryan R makes a good point about the 25ssr.

I believe that in order to make a good long term plan, broad but specific goals must first be defined and bought into by all the people working for the change. Only then can a plan can be formulated to meet those goals.

Most of the information that I have read in this forum, I believe, has come from well meaning and dedicated people that have thought out their positions. The problem is each person may have a different set of goals for the sport. Since not everyone is working for the same goals, people tend to stiffen up in their position and very little gets accomplished.

Charlie Pater

The reason that there are different sets of goals is the same reason that we have 3 different Outboard categories. Stock is the one motor-one class category, Mod is the home for all the older racing motors that still have parts around, and Pro is high speed bore and stroke balls out racing. We have to realize that these different categories exist for a reason. We should respect there differences. To combine them all together, as Ed suggests, I think would be a fatal error. While we will still race together, and crossover into other categories, I believe that for each category to be successful, it must maintain it's own identity.

[ryan_4z]

Ryan: It's worth it. Somehow NBRA, AOF and the J Committee have figured it out.

But, the alternative that you propose (one engine: one class) means old equipment and current racers get obsoleted in favor of new stuff, and, when the opposition to the new stuff is too strong (fearing this), it takes decades to approve the new stuff or make it desirable (ie: C Stock Hydro).

By the way, that's the current status of APBA Stock Outboard, in case you haven't noticed.

Hey Ed,

Just one question about who has "figured it out." Who has the largest membership, NBRA, AOF, or APBA SO?

[ryan_4z]

Yes, John, but you never tell me WHY you think I'm wrong. And if you don't start soon, I'm going to stop staying up drinking until 6am and trying to spin the wheels on my motorhome to impress you to confide these things to me. Ed.

Legal disclaimer: Ed Hearn has never operated a recreational vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages and any reading of this post which might suggest to the contrary is properly misunderstood. Ed Hearn's Attorney.

Ed, You aren't getting out of it next time. We'll find a way to get the RV back up, but I wanna be sitting in the passenger seat on the way down!

[David Weaver]

and Pro is high speed bore and stroke balls out racing. We have to realize that these different categories exist for a reason. We should respect there differences. To combine them all together, as Ed suggests, I think would be a fatal error. While we will still race together, and crossover into other categories, I believe that for each category to be successful, it must maintain it's own identity.

Ryan I agree with your sentiment, although I believe that Mod can utilize contemporary engines and technology. With regards to the first phrase about PRO's, I would rather race a 350 hydro (which would make me nervous today) than a CSH. To me racing CSH takes a lot of Kahoona's versus racing a PRO hydro class. Also, the PRO category offers 5-6 classes that compete at speeds of less then 85mph and still are excting to watch (plus the antiques which can be entertaining as well).

But I digress, I hope that our stock outbaord racing cousins get things figured out. Please focus on that and the PRO Commission will concern itself with our future. Of course, with regards to Ed sometimes I become confused as to which Commission he chairs. Maybe it's all of them......

[ryan_4z]

Ryan I agree with your sentiment, although I believe that Mod can utilize contemporary engines and technology. With regards to the first phrase about PRO's, I would rather race a 350 hydro (which would make me nervous today) than a CSH. To me racing CSH takes a lot of Kahoona's versus racing a PRO hydro class. Also, the PRO category offers 5-6 classes that compete at speeds of less then 85mph and still are excting to watch (plus the antiques which can be entertaining as well).

But I digress, I hope that our stock outbaord racing cousins get things figured out. Please focus on that and the PRO Commission will concern itself with our future. Of course, with regards to Ed sometimes I become confused as to which Commission he chairs. Maybe it's all of them......

Exactly David, Each category has it's own issues to deal with, and needs to handle them according to what is best for them. We must remember, our commisioners are volunteers. To try and run all three categories with one commission would certainly be to much to ask of one group of people.

[Tim Weber]

Go Ron, Go!

I know some think Ron Hill is an out of touch fossill. Try and remember, he has been around this for 60 years! He remembers the days when a weekend race drew as many boats as a nationals. He was there when stock didn't exist.

I would be for pairing down classes, 3 heats instead of 2, running motors lower, roll up runabouts, revised point system, claimer props and motors, prize money, tv coverage and more beer!

Tim

[14-H]

***Stock is the one motor-one class category, ***.

Ryan: I know that neither you nor I had been born at this point in boat racing time, but you really ought to know your history. Ask your dad or grandfather to tell you about the once largest class in Stock Outboard, B Stock, where the Hot Rod B and Mercury 20-H battled back-and-forth for nearly three decades in the same class with great success. Ed.

[14-H]

Hey Ed,

Just one question about who has "figured it out." Who has the largest membership, NBRA, AOF, or APBA SO?

Ryan: Stay on point or you'll be accused of sissy-arguing. You said that two engines cannot be run in one class with any success. NBRA, AOF and the J Category (which you forgot to reiterate that I mentioned) have done this. You're simply incorrect about this. Don't try to change the subject to membership numbers in order to avoid your error. Ed.

[YankeeRacing]

Why not have your cake and eat it too?
The reason Ed brought up AOF is because he has acutally READ the AOF rulebook where there is only one division-stock.mod and pro. Once you read it and understand it, a very bright light bulb goes off and you really do see the light of the future.
Boat racing is not growing as it should be. Think out of the box. It can't hurt the sport anymore than it is suffering at present. AOF is celebrating their 35th year and has had up to 640 members in stock, mod, and pro only. Stage a race with separation between stock/mod/pro, or combine them if needed per race according to speeds. Whatever works. Make the differences in the tech sections to allow it to work. Keep the sanctioning section of a race uniform.
I am not involved with AOFanymore, so this is not a plug. It is simply a suggestion for you to acutally check out the light for yourself and the future of boat racing.
AOF was started by some very impressive people from boat racing history who figured it out and the theory has not been changed. You do not have to become AOF, but it is a good idea to at least look at some of their successes for ideas. After all, AOF IS growing at a pretty impressive rate.
Go to
http://www.aofboatracing.com/
read the rulebook, and then take some of the ideas to the APBA national meeting.
Connie P
oops, I just noticed that the rulbook has been taken down until the new one is added in a few days. If you want an emailed copy of the rulebook, email Russ at:
AOFOffice@aol..com and he can email you one.
Sorry, Connie

[14-H]

*** Of course, with regards to Ed sometimes I become confused as to which Commission he chairs. Maybe it's all of them......

David: I understand my role very well. I simply am not so narrow-minded that I do not appreciate how "in the real world", most clubs run all three categories together and a decision from one commission greatly affects how boat racing operates even in the other categories. Right now, it is unusual for any one of the commissions to consider this. Ed.

[Sheila Schaub]

I beg to differ!!!

Yes, John, but you never tell me WHY you think I'm wrong. And if you don't start soon, I'm going to stop staying up drinking until 6am and trying to spin the wheels on my motorhome to impress you to confide these things to me. Ed.

Legal disclaimer: Ed Hearn has never operated a recreational vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages and any reading of this post which might suggest to the contrary is properly misunderstood. Ed Hearn's Attorney.

Hey Ed, You might want to retrack that statement.

LOL She

[Dave M]

Thank GOD

Hey Ed,

Just one question about who has "figured it out." Who has the largest membership, NBRA, AOF, or APBA SO?

You are not a commisioner in any category with any organization.