Are you kidding me?

[Big Don]

You people amaze me.

It cost 220.00 to join a super license. You want to complain about that cost??? Really??? We all spend more than that going to one race. I won’t put on here what we just spent last weekend because my wife may read it, but I’m sure you can take a guess, plane tickets, hotel, 4000 miles plus in gas…

It cost me 75.00/100.00 to have my kid play a sport for a 8 week season. What do I get for that? Oh wait, I get to go sell cookie dough, Christmas wrapping paper, entertainment books, etc. Oh and they get to maybe keep the 5.00 tee shirt they were given. Give me a break.

This is not about if you like the direction we are going or what we have done. It’s about your constant *****ing about what it cost to join our organization. This does not mean I like everything APBA has done, is doing or will do. But it’s our organization. I have shared what I think over the years, some things go on deaf ears, some things are taken in and looked. I have never had anyone in office that I have approached not listen. Pick up the phone and call Dan at the office, call a board member, call our president, they will all talk.

I’m willing to bet most of you that sit on here and complain have never called any of our presidents, Gloria or now Dan and had a constructive conversation.

[Matt Dagostino]

Sweet.........

. It's 60+ retired guys that have the money to spend..
House paid for,, Florida condo 1/2 paid for,,, 2010 GMC 1500 4 x 4 crew cab,, 2005 GMC Canyon,
2005 Sebring convertible w/only 60,000 miles,,, nice fishing boat,,, 5 digits in $$$$$ I am MAD!!!!!!

Sounds like you need a experienced driver and a few new rigs to go out and take out your frustration at the races!!........(Hydroplanes only)

Feel free to call 1-800-the-captain

Not a sermon, just a thought!

[Affholter66]

You people amaze me.

It cost 220.00 to join a super license. You want to complain about that cost??? Really??? We all spend more than that going to one race. I won’t put on here what we just spent last weekend because my wife may read it, but I’m sure you can take a guess, plane tickets, hotel, 4000 miles plus in gas…

It cost me 75.00/100.00 to have my kid play a sport for a 8 week season. What do I get for that? Oh wait, I get to go sell cookie dough, Christmas wrapping paper, entertainment books, etc. Oh and they get to maybe keep the 5.00 tee shirt they were given. Give me a break.

This is not about if you like the direction we are going or what we have done. It’s about your constant *****ing about what it cost to join our organization. This does not mean I like everything APBA has done, is doing or will do. But it’s our organization. I have shared what I think over the years, some things go on deaf ears, some things are taken in and looked. I have never had anyone in office that I have approached not listen. Pick up the phone and call Dan at the office, call a board member, call our president, they will all talk.

I’m willing to bet most of you that sit on here and complain have never called any of our presidents, Gloria or now Dan and had a constructive conversation.

Amen....but Don I think you may be My Grandad used to tell me "If you're NOT part of the SOLUTION..YOU are the problem..

[ricochet112]

Dilbert for teh lulz

[bill van steenwyk]

I had been hoping someone would see that cartoon............

......and recognize the absurdity of the APBA management position of refusing to be open about the costs of this project.

Yesterdays offering was very apropos also.


ART DOES IMITATE LIFE!!



No matter who you are or what your position on this project, I do not understand how ANYONE can countenance the refusal of the BOD and management to release the cost of this project.

It is a slap in the face to any dues paying member of APBA and arrogant besides, both for the refusal itself, and just as guilty are those who countenance and defend those who are doing it!!

Nothing excuses it, and those who do are just as bad as those who are covering it up.

What in the world is the project supposed to be for anyway, if not to inform the membership? Would any intelligent person spend money for something and then not use it for the purpose intended? There is no defense for this position.

[HRTV]

......and recognize the absurdity of the APBA management position of refusing to be open about the costs of this project.

Yesterdays offering was very apropos also.


ART DOES IMITATE LIFE!!



No matter who you are or what your position on this project, I do not understand how ANYONE can countenance the refusal of the BOD and management to release the cost of this project.

It is a slap in the face to any dues paying member of APBA and arrogant besides, both for the refusal itself, and just as guilty are those who countenance and defend those who are doing it!!

Nothing excuses it, and those who do are just as bad as those who are covering it up.

What in the world is the project supposed to be for anyway, if not to inform the membership? Would any intelligent person spend money for something and then not use it for the purpose intended? There is no defense for this position.

Bill,

The cost is being covered up for the very simple reason that in reality the whole project is not needed. Attrition will happen just like it does it all forms of motor racing and people will come and go. Classes will come and go and the strong ones will prevail.

A few regions will die off while many stay strong and prosperous. This is nothing new at all. Look at the grand stands at Indy races and many high profile motor sports around the globe. The stands are half empty and its the same drivers year after year.

There was no reason to hire Crown or any other Marketing / Consulting firm. There was no reason to hire a CEO or create any new positions. The web site was not that big of deal and the Propeller magazine should still be going out to members like it always was.

To the best of my knowledge there is no such thing as professional powerboat racing in the US in terms of a sport that is recognized by the US Olympic Committee therefore making all forms of powerboat racing in the US nothing more then club based member driven organizations. This includes H1 and the other so called Pro classes.

I say all this highlight the fact that if the cost of the Crown project or any other project is more than $1.00 its money wasted. What is the objective and please don't tell me to market the sport. Market the sport to who? In reality no one cares. The sport never went mainstream and it never will. Also don't forget there is nothing to market. Its club racing just like dirt tracks all across the Midwest. Guys and Gals show up to have a good time and for bragging rights.

Neither Dan Wiener or Crown Partners have the magic wand and when its all said and done trust me when I tell you nothing will have truly changed.

There is an article online that I will try to find written by the gentlemen who started the original US based F1 Powerboat class when the OMC V8's were running and in his story he writes "I laugh and smile every time I hear someone say they are going to bring back professional powerboat racing"

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend everyone.

[HRTV]

I found the article on BRF :-)

The history of tunnel boat series, put together by Mike Wienandt
History contributors Fred Hauenstein, Duke Waldrop and Charlie Strang


http://www.boatracingfacts.com/forum...Series-history


This is the quote I was referring to. Sorry I was not exactly correct but it still servers my point.


Now you know why I smile sadly when I hear a would-be promoter telling how he will make millions by turning some boat-racing class into the "next NASCAR"!

[bill van steenwyk]

Dan:

I completely understand what you are saying and what the point is, and I agree with a lot of your take on boat racing, much as that pains me to admit something I have participated in and been a part of for the greater part of my life is looked on like it is, and has not been better treated by its caretakers.

Looks like the main promotional entity for Boat Racing has failed mightily in its chore the since it's inception, and I would not disagree that APBA would have been better off to either purchase Hydroracer or promote to social media sites already available so as to be more involved in promoting the sport, and at much less cost????? than what they will not disclose.

That really is not the thrust of my posts on HR. What really aggravates me is the folks that tell me and others, that by criticism of the organization, I AND OTHERS LIKE ME ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

I put in my time for 40 years on the race course, in turn boats, my wife on the judges stand every weekend there was a race, on the PRO Commission for several years, and the judges stand as a Referee, promoted the sport to younger drivers who went on to become successful, and all around tried to help the sport to the best of my ability, albeit in the PRO Category. Fortunately I managed some success with a couple of Nationals wins, some records and a HOC induction in '86.

What I see now are a bunch of power hungry (for whatever reason) folks who think APBA is their private fiefdom, to do as they want, with no regard for the rights of others who pay their membership monies just like they do. And what amazes me more, is when I call attention to it, I (and others who point it out) are accused of being "PART OF THE PROBLEM".

Excuse me, BUT BULL HOCKEY!!

You may very well be right in your synopses of the situation with APBA at present, but as I pointed out to "Chairman Eddie" several weeks ago, most of the members of my family have lived into the 90's, so he, and everyone else who thinks I am "part of the problem", has more to hear when I see something as obviously wrong as exists now in APBA. All it takes to shut me up about this present situation is some openness. Some honesty from management is not some gift to the membership, but is owed to them in return for their dues and support.

[PRO-MOTIONRACING]

Thanks.

Thanks for the post Dan.

Try this... spend some time, click around.

http://www.siegecraftnw.com/

Makes you want to be a part of ?

P.S. This site was free.

[HRTV]

Quick follow up:

Everyone please read my original post carefully. I am not complaining, *****ing or bashing. Its taken me a while but I have come to terms with what the sport is all about and I accept it.

It is what it is and those who enjoy it will continue to participate and those who don't will fade away and drop off. New members will not come in masses but little by little one or two folks will join here and there.

In my opinion this has been the standard way people come and go in dangerous motor-sports for decades. If you do decide to get out don't sell your gear to a collector or lake racer. If possible always try to sell your gear to a perspective racer or offer it to a club at a decent price. This way the boat wont just sit in storage.

Make the races fun, try to have a decent PA system so people who do show up will understand whats happening and be safe.

[99R]

Hey Ed,
Is APBA ever going to send me money for the gears I purchased for my Tohatsu than make them illegal the next week due to a misprint than had been in the rule book for a couple of years? Thanks APBA thanks.

Troy Holmberg

[99R]

Hey Daren you made a funny!!!!!!!

[raceright]

you pay

In conclusion APBA and its club membership are very much the same as Goverment. Cost go up and they want someone else to pay for it. As most think everything is to expensive--many would complain if it was free.

The crowne thing, from were I sit seems like there are no results guaranteed and this would be sad if all we got is a better and newer web site(really a message board).

Future? --only what you put into it. Marketing?, well we don't have it cause we only sell to ourselfs (dead end street)

There are plenty of less exciting so called sports that produce a tremendous amount of revenue both for its players ( drivers) and owners. Skate boarding for one, millions here, and no way this is more exciting than Boat Racing.

Maybe someone is thinking lets make a big hit before it Dies Don't know HHHHMMMMM

Pat Wright

[racerchic3z]

To all the people who bash, *****, complain, whatever you want to call it ( I don't care to be politically correct)....

What have you done for the sport? How many NEW racers and NEW race sites have you brought?

Our problems are not a lack-luster website, or a flimsy magazine. It's the lack of membership.

The only club that I have seen publicly pursuing this is MHRA. I give them a lot credit. Dean Sutherland & everyone in MHRA have done so much work, and should be proud of their accomplishments. MHRA is booming right now.

How many other successful racer schools are there?

If people put in as much effort to growing the sport, as they did complaining about the pitfalls, stock outboard racing would be a much better place.

As for those of you who blame Crowne Partners and the new APBA administration for "not doing anything", you obviously have never been involved in business development.

Get off your computers, and do something for the sport.

Stacy

[Richard Hearn]

"At least you're doing something" https://social.apba-racing.com/discu...oing-something