Bad Water?

[em3899]

Lets not forget the best safty advice. Meet the rescue crew and show them the 20$ bill taped inside your helmet. That way when (not if) you get wet we will be there extra fast: A 50$ bill will get us there extra extra fast All kidding aside just have fun.

[ricochet112]

Set up can also play an important role. If you know you're not going to be a front runner, then drop the motor a little to get more prop in the water for better control, control in rough water is key. Greg is right, practice, practice, practice, and dumping because you have too aggressive of a set up only teaches you how to dry out a motor.

Mike Bartlett

[Steve Johnson]

Run Hard

Get after it.

Start well to begin with and assume you are capable of winning it. As other 's have said, smile and have fun. I'm really only here for the BBQ.

[sam]

I'm really only here for the BBQ.

I'm with Steve

[Steve Warnock]

11th to 12th Place and tough LOVE!

Yo TK!

Love and remember those daze. Even when we became the GUN's later on.

All is true except for SCATCH's philosophy! If you can figure out how to come through the pack, you can take a Championship. or 2 or 3 or 7!

Warbs

[Skoontz]

I used to take a piece of gray 1/4" foam and tape it inside KT's cockpit.. I called it the water smoother outer and it helped her get over the idea of slow through the rough./....

[Dave M]

Experience Equals

Boat time. On and off the race course. Go test, if you are running a stocker, you should find plenty of places to test. Go get your registration numbers and put them on some plexi, and velcro them on and go run it until you are tired. Race it when testing.

I agree with Greg somewhat, you are not racing for money at APBA races, very rare. I disagree a little, as racing is agressive. You will piss a few people off each year, and you will be pissed of yourself. Don't be afraid to make a legal move to gain a spot because you might get your buddy wet. Be agressive. Do this once you know your boat. There is ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING wrong with bumping. You will get bumped and bump when you are racing. Don't be scared of it, embrace it and know when a bump is not going to turn out good. Back off when neceassary. Here is a good time to back off. GOing into the first turn witht he pack, you are in lane one, it is a tight turn, the outside boat adjacent to you does not have overlap, and is not backing off. Can you hold your line wide open and not slide into the other boat ? If you can go for it, you probably will bump him as he is going to try and force you to back off by pinching you tight. Don't fall for it. If you give quarter to someone they will expect it every time and force the issue each time. Let them bump you, it shows you are willing to fight for the spot.

Here is some other advice, pick a racer out and let them mentor you. Pick someone whom has interest in your racing class, but does not race your class. Hopefully they will watch you and give some tips on the situation that just occurred. Listen and don't argue the points, draw your own conclusions but listen without argument. Nothing turns a experienced racer off more than a rookie debating over what you have experience at.

Here is one last tip. Practice your starts. A race is won and lost at the starting line and first turn. If you can't start right on the money, you suck. You need to get better. Only way to do that is practice. Set it up at your test location if you need to. But you will never get better until you learn how to start on the fly at WOT and not be late or early. If you want it, you will get it, you just need to be gun or a field filler, your choice. Nothing wrong with either.

[Haüenstein]

Lt. Col. Kilgore

Dave,

Did you watch Apocalypse Now before work this morning? : )

MAH

[Dave M]

Mikey !

No, I watched Lassie and needed to sound manly to make up for it.

Just trying to make sure they learn well, to many newbies get coddled and never get the itch to win. If they get the itch they scratch it staying in the sport.

[HRTV]

Dave,

Did you watch Apocalypse Now before work this morning? : )

MAH

http://sounds.wavcentral.com/movies/...al/numnuts.mp3

[thepiranhabros]

Good movie!

Of course, that sound clip comes from the other epic, Full Metal Jacket.

[brian]

I think I can speak to this issue. My best advise is small changes. Start and finish every race. Never jump the gun until you feel you can run with the best rigs and a start means winning or losing. Until you are the same speeds and skill level lane 1 is off limits and in the middle of two better drivers. You are a danger to them and yourself until you feel confident you can put it there and hold it there.

I have won some races and most have been back door wins but I started racing in 2002 as a back marker and now am a consistent 2-4th racer. There is no shame in racing for 10th place. Holding a lane in 10th is just as important.

Drive lots of classes to get seat time but focus your time and money on one class for success. I race 750R for points and pride and DSH for a hydro ride and 850R with backup motor for testing and seat time.

[Wild Bill 96D]

As a new driver myself I would like to thank you for asking that one. And I thank everyone for the info. I think Greg nailed the answer just like he nails the starting line. (GREAT ANSWER GREG) See you at the campfire. Thanks. 96-D saddle sore

[abbypond]

I also think it's helpful to take advice from the guys that have been doing this for years. After coming in from a heat, it's always good to get some feedback from another driver that was watching the race. You can find yourself in a different situation in each race- lots of different strategies and lots of advice.

[Hydroglobe17J]

What I do to help fellow racers, because I have a big mouth anyway is: When I an out in the patrol boat I watch other people drive & give them feedback when I see them later that night or whenever. Things like your too high in the boat, you are making to large of a circle, not leaning enough or properly etc. When I came back to the sport I also learned a lot by watching racers drive, again from the patrol boats. I got tips from everyone Craig Bowman,his brother,Billy Allen,John Runne etc.
Best Of Luck