What do YOU want from the APBA website?
Inboard racer Elizabeth Wolfe of Chicago, IL spent time during the National Meeting asking members what they would like to see at www.apba-racing.com in the future. Each category commission appointed a representative to communicate recommendations to Ms. Wolfe. She and a website committee will use that input to build a list of proposed changes, establish feasibility and costs for each, and make recommendations to the Board. Several categories have created their own independent websites. For some, that may be the best option. Others might be well served by an updated and more user-friendly APBA website.
One issue standing in the way of progress is the amazing complexity of APBA's routine procedures. Each category has its own special rules for legal starts, legal heats, awarding points, etc. That means that one single computer program will not work for all; Headquarters (Cindy Minoletti in particular) must input all scoring sheets by hand, altering formulas and results per each category's rules. One programmer working with Headquarters walked out, saying, "I have a headache. Your system is more complicated than General Motors'." The goal, as stated by APBA President Mark Weber, is a single points system for circle racing within two years. Executive Director Gloria Urbin stressed during the Annual Meeting, "APBA and the categories need to come together to do what is best for the Association as a whole."
When that happens, we could see a much more understandable and inviting presence on the Web; faster processing and posting of race results; and simpler procedures for scorers.
If you have feedback for the website committee, ask your category chairman for the name and contact information of your designated website representative.
This is interesting... and would make things great as far as developing a computer scoring program... First I've heard of it though... has there been any talk yet as to what they are thinking of doing/changing? I'd like to see something that factors in the number of boats in the heat.
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