Y-80 / Sidewinder Controversy

[MGallagher]

Hey Sonny, that is one big list of MOD classes. So any way, lets get back to economics 101- How about we get a 35 yr+ old motor and make it a class in a category that was design to have a place to race fresh new motors off the factory floor. How bout them apples!!! Love ya Sonny, keep it up, I am sure we can debate in enough circles to call it a marathon.

[csh2z]

Nobody has eliminated the Yamato 80 in the 20SSH class.

[blueskyracer]

Nobody has eliminated the Yamato 80 in the 20SSH class.

John, you are right. The 80 is still a good motor but as you pointed out it is 30 plus years old and it will be next. The trend is to get rid of the old. At least they are only getting rid of the old motors and not the old drivers! LOL

I would like to remind everyone that this is suppose to be constructive and not a personal slam at anyone. We talked to folks with our club and many of them said they view this site all the time but would never think of posting anything because of what might happen. I don't think anyone should feel afraid of posting on this site. The idea is to help folks make a decision or help them get started.

[DiGia54D]

There were 28 20ssh at this years Nationals how many were Y80's. 30 years old or not. When the Y80 goes it wont be for a while.

[wildcild95p]

just my thoughts at the moment

20ssh is the only class i have ran in the 13 yrs ive beeen racing,,, for me to tell a buddy that is interested in getting into boat racing that he can spend 3500-4000 grand to be competitive,, versus double that to get into, would discourage anyone,, the sidewinder is going to be a great motor, but to just stop using something that has been being used for a long time is not a good move.. there needs to be something kept reasonable money wise for people to get into this sport. its not like you go to a race and make money to pay for the equipment... myself and im sure i speak for many people,, it is not about money,, and im not saying it is,, this sport would grow very fast, if when a race was put that sponsors are sought after,when i tell people that ask about racing , that it is all for fun,, they just get a look on there face, nd i laugh and tell them all about.. my point is,, if we are going to be getting to the point of spending $10000 to be competive,, then we need to also think about gettin sponsers

[Kev43V]

20ssh is the only class i have ran in the 13 yrs ive beeen racing,,, for me to tell a buddy that is interested in getting into boat racing that he can spend 3500-4000 grand to be competitive,, versus double that to get into, would discourage anyone,, the sidewinder is going to be a great motor, but to just stop using something that has been being used for a long time is not a good move.. there needs to be something kept reasonable money wise for people to get into this sport. its not like you go to a race and make money to pay for the equipment... myself and im sure i speak for many people,, it is not about money,, and im not saying it is,, this sport would grow very fast, if when a race was put that sponsors are sought after,when i tell people that ask about racing , that it is all for fun,, they just get a look on there face, nd i laugh and tell them all about.. my point is,, if we are going to be getting to the point of spending $10000 to be competive,, then we need to also think about gettin sponsers

Thanks for your thoughts.
Do you have a suggestion for how to get sponsors to want us?

[Sonny]

Now Dans all bent out of shape. I think my point has been taken out of context. I have two primary intrests here, Modified outboards... and what is good for the sport. I think that the Sidewinder is a great thing, I think that an amearican built motor is a great thing, I think that a motor built by people I consider friends is a great thing. It is my opinion that to tell people that next year they will have to throw there equiptment away and that they wont be able to partisipate without forking over 5-10 grand might not be in the best intrest of a struggling sport. Thats all..as far as my equiptment goes, when I find a deal I jump on it. I am in no way afraid to buy new gear, But when someone sais fork over the cash or you dont deserve to go racing or you shouldnt be racing I take offence. I thought we had a pretty good thing going here. middle class folks of modest means could get involved cheap enough to get there feet wet and enjoy the sport we all love and people who were a little better off could do more even reach into the more expencive pro stuff. I appologize for upsetting anyone (Dan) it will be hard to watch the balance go away and the door get slammed on old friends and new one's I am not as comfortable with that as some may be.

[MGallagher]

Sonny- I think Dan is flexing his Typing Muscles(AKA Sober Beer Muscles)!LOL!!! As for the previous post, well said. I do not think there are going to get rid of or even start phasing out the Y80 for at least another 2-4 yrs or until the Sidewinder20 smokes it!

[csh2z]

Quote Sonny -" It is my opinion that to tell people that next year they will have to throw there equiptment away and that they wont be able to partisipate without forking over 5-10 grand might not be in the best intrest of a struggling sport."
I agree, that would not be in the best interest of the sport. AND that is not what is being done. But, if I told you that in five years you would no longer be able to run that motor in that class, would you prepare your racing budget to deal with that situation? Is that fair? Is it fair for a new guy to come into the sport, buy equipment, only to find out you can't get spare parts? What is that guy going to do when his motor breaks down? Does he have all the right connections to rummage through the right persons basement to hopefully find a piston that can be salvaged? Do we want to continue going to the trash dump behind some old marina to find parts for a motor that hasn't been made for 30 yrs.? Is that the sport you want us to promote? Get sponsors for?
Stock Outboard is not a "run whatcha brung" category. We want new people to be able to go to a website and buy everything they need to go racing. COMPETITIVELY! Apples vs. apples. You against me, on a level playing field. That is what has fueled Stock Outboard to be the best it has always been.

[HRTV]

Now Dans all bent out of shape. I think my point has been taken out of context. I have two primary intrests here, Modified outboards... and what is good for the sport. I think that the Sidewinder is a great thing, I think that an amearican built motor is a great thing, I think that a motor built by people I consider friends is a great thing. It is my opinion that to tell people that next year they will have to throw there equiptment away and that they wont be able to partisipate without forking over 5-10 grand might not be in the best intrest of a struggling sport. Thats all..as far as my equiptment goes, when I find a deal I jump on it. I am in no way afraid to buy new gear, But when someone sais fork over the cash or you dont deserve to go racing or you shouldnt be racing I take offence. I thought we had a pretty good thing going here. middle class folks of modest means could get involved cheap enough to get there feet wet and enjoy the sport we all love and people who were a little better off could do more even reach into the more expencive pro stuff. I appologize for upsetting anyone (Dan) it will be hard to watch the balance go away and the door get slammed on old friends and new one's I am not as comfortable with that as some may be.

Sonny,

I'm not bent out of shape at all, trust me I have supported each and everyone of you for the last ten years via this web site. If I didn't have just as much drive to help this sport survive and thrive I would have shut this site down years ago and walked away.

John Runne has clearly stated the time is coming when everyone will have to adjust like it or not, the way I see it is that the warning flares are being set out now so that everyone has more than sufficient time to save up etc.. but it is inevitable that the change bus is coming and it will be up to each individual whether or not they are prepared to board or let the bus pass them by.

No place in the Stock Outboard category description does it read that the category is a low budget category.

I wish everyone the best of luck, I will continue to support each and everyone of you through my new blog which is focused more on getting the word out on the social media side of the net.

Be Safe

[steve jones]

The Marathon folks should be a seperate category away from the SORC, just like the J category did. Seems to have worked very well for the J category, as the numbers grew according to postings here. Not stepping on toes, just stating something someone posted on here a while ago. If Marathon had its own category, you could establish the rules to fit your unique racing. To me it seems like the best thing to do.

There might be something positive to this, I think your idea needs to be explored further, in a new thread though.

[wildcild95p]

the sponser idea,..... well first of all when someone is trying to get a race together, the local businesses should be looked at.. anyone that was at grass like knows what that little town did for our race. i am currently in the process of having a few local business put a few bucks up for the lock haven race.. i know future races in lock haven will get more support from local business.. i didnt start this until a month ago.. our sport is not known to everyone, so we need to try to get it to everyone.. i typed a letter explaining our race,, not to many people know that there are more than one class that races.. i typed a paper with all the classes and let the people that want to put some money up pick which class they want to sponsor. all these people want is there name announced throughout the weekend, and a t shirt. i took a couple years off boat racing and went to dirt track, i made my entry fee back if i finished the race. atleast when you get the $35 entry fee back, you feel like the people putting the race on recognize you being there. i know that i could bring 5 people into the sport right now , but they are ones that have raced other things, where there was always some type of sponsers

[Big Don]

Kev, from what I gather about the future of the Yamato 80 and 102 I would say that #1 or #3 will not be worth much unless you are going to a Mod class soon.

if this is true you racers with "GOOD" 80's and 102's that are not worth much call me. and I'll even have some Mod stuff to trade for them.

[Big Don]

[QUOTE=HRTV;137966]

The sport will not gain a single new member by continuing to run 30+ year old motors, will the introduction of new motors cause a few members to left behind? Sure it will but this is the price the sport must pay in order to pull it self out of the Stone Age and into the future.

QUOTE]

Dan first I support the new engines but that is not a true statement. We have people joining and buying the old equipment. Maybe not at the pace some of us would like but they are buying.

And if anyone thinks new equipment is the end all save all for this sport...my opinion it is not.

[HRTV]

[QUOTE=don11w;138052]

The sport will not gain a single new member by continuing to run 30+ year old motors, will the introduction of new motors cause a few members to left behind? Sure it will but this is the price the sport must pay in order to pull it self out of the Stone Age and into the future.

QUOTE]

Dan first I support the new engines but that is not a true statement. We have people joining and buying the old equipment. Maybe not at the pace some of us would like but they are buying.

And if anyone thinks new equipment is the end all save all for this sport...my opinion it is not.

You hit the nail right on the head! sure they are buying "old" used up gear at an attractive price running dead last and then quitting after a year or two. Is this your recipe for success?