Sidewinders

[Big Don]

I am just curious as to all the "flak" that John has taken with regards to his engines. (what class, cost, apparently tamper proof, etc.,etc.), My only question is are these engines readily available, if not what would the "lead" time be if one would like to order the "A" version.
Carl

Isn't it strange that people think John (CSH2Z) is Sidewinder?

John certainly has said on more than one occasion that he isn't, but I think that gets lost.

Not saying John or anyone can't speak their mind, it's just not the first time I have read or heard that John Runne is Sidewinder.

John you might have to put a disclaimer on every post.

[csh2z]

Steve,
"A" motors are available and run with the same set-up & safety rules as the OMC with the same gearfoot. To my knowledge there are only 4 sold, and have been running most of the year in competition among the best OMC rigs on both hydro and runabout. Whether any will be available for testing at Lock Haven? I can't answer that but I'll try to find out and let you know.

[steve smith 150m]

Hi Mark.
The last two years Charlie has only raced at TOPO. He is seventeen now and has a job at a golf course and works most weekends. Car, girlfriend , and saving money for college. He wants to go to Western. We are going to try to make Big Rapids and at least race the marathon. We will try to get more boats from up here to run.

[steve smith 150m]

I can spell years

[blueskyracer]

I can spell years

Steve, I fixed it for you I just thought you were from the south

[hagerl8m]

Points to ponder

Just looking at number of drivers in classes. By eliminated the Mercury 15 from ASH and ASR and only having the OMC 15 and Sidewinder "A" as legal motors next season might be a mistake. Read again "might." So in AX classes there are a huge number of Mercury 15's running. Say by chance these parents kids, don't own an OMC, now to move up into "A" they either need to buy and old OMC or Buy a New Sidewinder. Please answer this, why would they want to run A?

Don't throw me under the bus by saying I'm anti-sidewinder, I'm not. I'm pro-growth, but by limiting motors in classes and almost forcing drivers to choose, we might just push drivers to stay in J category and run AX. I might be wrong, but when I was at my shop for the marathon I don't remember even seeing a OMC race motor in it. So in my return to stock to run "A" I need to buy a sidewinder or dig around my shop and put and OMC together. Thats too bad for the large number of J kids and adults that have invested in a Mercury that they can't continue into the Stock category with their "Newer" motor.

Please don't try to tell me about what "AX" is or what it was designed for. I was in the restaurant in Seattle were Bob Trolian, Butch Kiddy, Don Hagerl, and I think one more person were at and designed the class. Not that the class has followed the exact path of its conception, but it was designed as an "J" - "A" stepping stone with the intent of using the Same motor the develop as a driver.

Now I'll step down from the soap box. Sorry to anyone I may upset with this, it was just to voice my opinion. I would like to thank those involved at Racing Outboards, LLC for building new equipment for Stock Outboard in attempts to build our sport.

[dwilderacer]

Merc in AX

I too believe that the Merc should be allowed to run in A. The Sidewinder will relegate them to the back of the pack. They are already second fiddle to the OMC that preceded it. Let their comparative weakness direct them to their best place, AX.

[B1PRORACER]

Don has the right idea about the Mercury J engine.... don't eliminate the option of running it in A. My son and I went out to the PRO Nationals this year after many years away! We borrowed an A hydro and put our new Mercury J engine on it. That is what we race in J. I took out the restrictor plate and my son raced K Pro. It was his first race at more that "J Hydro" speed, so participating was the key here. We weren't fast enough to win, but Pete beat half the field of an otherwise all OMC race. It was a respectable finish for our Mercury and for Pete's experience.
Peter Crowley

[Matt Dagostino]

Hey Pete and Steve W................

Don has the right idea about the Mercury J engine.... don't eliminate the option of running it in A. My son and I went out to the PRO Nationals this year after many years away! We borrowed an A hydro and put our new Mercury J engine on it. That is what we race in J. I took out the restrictor plate and my son raced K Pro. It was his first race at more that "J Hydro" speed, so participating was the key here. We weren't fast enough to win, but Pete beat half the field of an otherwise all OMC race. It was a respectable finish for our Mercury and for Pete's experience.
Peter Crowley

All good stuff but you have to 'blast your feelings' into your SORC represenitive and the Chairmans ear! If you don't then they have no idea what the membership feels!!

Hope all is well Pete.

Matt

[Kev43V]

Just looking at number of drivers in classes. By eliminated the Mercury 15 from ASH and ASR and only having the OMC 15 and Sidewinder "A" as legal motors next season might be a mistake. Read again "might." So in AX classes there are a huge number of Mercury 15's running. Say by chance these parents kids, don't own an OMC, now to move up into "A" they either need to buy and old OMC or Buy a New Sidewinder. Please answer this, why would they want to run A?

Don't throw me under the bus by saying I'm anti-sidewinder, I'm not. I'm pro-growth, but by limiting motors in classes and almost forcing drivers to choose, we might just push drivers to stay in J category and run AX. I might be wrong, but when I was at my shop for the marathon I don't remember even seeing a OMC race motor in it. So in my return to stock to run "A" I need to buy a sidewinder or dig around my shop and put and OMC together. Thats too bad for the large number of J kids and adults that have invested in a Mercury that they can't continue into the Stock category with their "Newer" motor.

Please don't try to tell me about what "AX" is or what it was designed for. I was in the restaurant in Seattle were Bob Trolian, Butch Kiddy, Don Hagerl, and I think one more person were at and designed the class. Not that the class has followed the exact path of its conception, but it was designed as an "J" - "A" stepping stone with the intent of using the Same motor the develop as a driver.

Now I'll step down from the soap box. Sorry to anyone I may upset with this, it was just to voice my opinion. I would like to thank those involved at Racing Outboards, LLC for building new equipment for Stock Outboard in attempts to build our sport.

It is my OPINION that the discision was made to remove the Merc J from A for 2 reasons
1: people were wanting the sidewinder and the OMC to be slowed down to the merc speed. yet the best of the best mercs are already as fast or nearly as fast as the omc.
2: Stock outboard did not want to approve after market rings for the merc in stock. although the J division did approve after market rings. so with the 2 issues they dicided to remove it from stock.
disclaimer!!! this is just my opinion I am not part of the SORC so I can not actually speak for them