Bad Water?

[mdaspit]

What do you think is the best, safest, fastest way around the course if you have a bunch of boats in front of you?

[B Walker]

Best: Whatever it is you did to pass the guy in front of you is "best".

Safest: Pull off into the pits

Fastest: See number one because its called racing for a reason.

As far as "bad water" goes, everyone except the lead boat has to deal with it.

BW

[Dave M]

To Many Options

You have to know your competitors driving style to answer that. If you don't you should have asked questions or paid attention at other races. If you are of similar speed, or slightly faster you can work your way through with abilities. If you are slower you might have a tough time, but it can be done. Remember one thing, ET wins races, not top end. Find the fastest line around the course for your rig. It is not always the inside lane. Concentrate on the guy in front of you and not the one in front, pick one at a time. Safest way around would be as Brad suggested, pull off intot he pits and claim victory by default. Usually never works in getting you points for that race. Just use some common sense. Drive hard, but smart. You will need to be somewhat forcefull taking positions, give no quarter as you will receive none. If you are in dire need of a bath because you woke up late, stay slightly on the inside of a boat and about one boat length back. You will find the cure for needing a bath.

There is simply no single way to do what you ask, there are far to many variables invovlved. The biggest single lesson you can get is experience. Mix it up and learn.

[mdaspit]

Best: Whatever it is you did to pass the guy in front of you is "best".

Safest: Pull off into the pits

Fastest: See number one because its called racing for a reason.

As far as "bad water" goes, everyone except the lead boat has to deal with it.

BW

I take it that you think I'm asking a stupid question?

[B Walker]

ah, crap, ats what I get for trying to be funny.

Sorry if I offended you, advice was meant in fun, and I was trying to type on my Blackberry so it was hard for me to give as good and complete an answer as Dave Mason.

Its not just about bad water. As Dave pointed out, there is no substitute for experience.

Now that I am home I will give a better response.

You want to race better? Here is some tips.

Go to every race. Travel. Know your competition. Pick everyones brain. Test alot. Go to the Nationals. Team up with someone. Read a book on propellor theory. Build your own boat. Get in any ride that is offered. Take your motor apart and re-assemble it. Try making your own propellor. Find out about the history behind the sport. Read Hydroracer everyday.

Last one was meant to be funny (kinda)

Sorry about my first response, hope this one is better

BW

[wagner-racing16-s]

My dad always told me, the best way to learn is to ride in the snot water. I am thinking of returning to the back of the pack to learn more.

[oknitro]

First, you have to know "your" boat and how she reacts to different water that the boats in front are leaving you. Once you know how your boat reacts then you know how to attack the boat in front of you. I agree with Dave , concentrate on the boat just ahead of you , take them one at a time - unless of course they all slide wide and leave you a lane inside to take them all - then go for it . If I have a fast boat just ahead of me in the corners - i try to mirror him thru the corners and then give it all down the straight. No water is bad water - it is racing water - and it changes every lap - even in the lead. Running at the back and in the middle is great practice and experience - and then one day - boom - the water clears on your face shield - and you think - holy cow - iam in first !!!

[pops67g]

Look for good water

Trying to run fast in torn up water is a losing battle. Move to the smooth water on the outside where your propeller can get some bite and you can maybe run WFO through the turns. I pass far more guys on the outside of the turns than on the tighter inside where you scrub off more speed and you can too. Three lap heats makes it tough, but not impossible.

[wetrider]

We can help

My dad always told me, the best way to learn is to ride in the snot water. I am thinking of returning to the back of the pack to learn more.

If you want to run in the back just let 10-S and 4-Q work on your motor

[mdaspit]

ah, crap, ats what I get for trying to be funny.

Sorry if I offended you, advice was meant in fun, and I was trying to type on my Blackberry so it was hard for me to give as good and complete an answer as Dave Mason.



BW

No, you didn't offend me. I can see how you meant it. As a new guy there is always some anxiety about asking stupid questions that will be viewed by hundreds of people.

My style is to ask it anyway, and I really appreciate all the advice I get from everyone.

I asked about safety, (I realize the inherent risk) because I don't want to be that "Jerk" new guy who was responsible for putting someone into a jam, or damaging someone's boat, or the absolute worst, being responsible for getting someone hurt, all because I didn't subordinate my ego enough to ask.

There is plenty of time for me to win races, but no time like the present not to inflict any damage.

So please, keep it coming.

I appreciate it very much.

Mark Daspit

[ryan_4z]

I always just close my eyes, squeeze the throttle, and when I think Im at the bouys I grab a handful of wheel.

[Tom10W]

Experience

Good Question Mark. Everyone will have a different answer. My answer is that I learned how to drive and race by running in the back of the pack for a few years. I didn't win a race my first 3 years of racing. In the back of the pack you will learn what others will tell you. How the competition drives, how your boat handles, what seems to be the fastest way around the course for you. Also, some of my best races were against Steve Warnock...for 11 place!!
Good Luck to you.

Tom Kargus

[wagner-racing16-s]

Dave,
I am not stupid. I would never let the 10-s near my motor. I already think one night while partying he purposely quenched my thrist only to have switched my powerhead out.HAhaha

[Gunjumper]

Input...

I will provide the single most important way to learn what to do and what not to do...............races, races, races. All of the above info is accurate, but all the typing and reading in the world is only a teaser. Get in that boat as often as you can, practice makes perfect. I'm on my 17th year racing and I still have a whole lot to learn. There are guys like Craig Bowman and Billy Allen that started racing just after the dinosaurs got out of the sport and they are still figuring things out. I will give you one bit of info from my guidebook that not all will agree with but I live by; we race for fun, no money and not for a career, the guys you race against are the same guys you'll have dinner with that night and share a coffee with the next morning, the same guys you'll look to for input and opinions and they will come to you for the same some day, this is fun, don't take it too serious, plenty of time later for that. My point is don't let your 5 minute relationship on the course hinder your lifelong relationship off the course. I can promise you one thing, after a season of racing, you'll have more great stories from things you experienced around the bonfire and in the pits than you will on the course. Keep your mind and your ears open and you'll have a great time. Greg Lyons

[Big Don]

I always just close my eyes, squeeze the throttle, and when I think Im at the bouys I grab a handful of wheel.

that's the last time I hire you as a driver