"I forgot how much fun it was."

[Mark 72@E]

"I forgot how much fun it was."

These were the words I heard from Austin, my 18 year old college bound son, after he raced my boat in 20SSH at Wilson, NC after almost a two year layoff from boat racing. He previously raced in AXSH and ASH so this was quite a step up from what he was used to.

His words warmed my heart. And it made all the time, money, and effort we put into getting to the Wilson, NC worthwhile.

He immediately followed with a string of questions including:
"What other classes can I race?"
"Can I race CSH?"
"When is Lock Haven?
"Is there an airport near Lock Haven?"

I had to remind him that we came to Wilson, NC prepared for the three of us to each race one class, that I wasn't giving up my CSH ride, and that he was being dropped off at college the weekend in between Wilson, NC and Lock Haven, PA and for that reason Lock Haven was out of the question. He protested but to no avail.

I guess I'm sharing this to affirm what has been said many times before here on Hydroracer. It's one thing to talk about boat racing and to look at pictures. It's another thing to attend a boat race. But put someone >>in a race boat<< and chances are they'll be hooked.

As a sport we should spend more time putting newbies in race boats for test rides. Kudos to clubs/regions which are actively doing so.

Photo of Austin from Wilson, NC 2009. Yes, that's Earl Desiato in E51 on the inside.

[Mrs blueskyracer]

Well said Mark, well said. I hope that he finds college as much fun as boat racing. I take it there was no wiggle room on Lock Haven!

[PROPDOC]

I know the feeling

[QUOTE=Mark 72@E;
I guess I'm sharing this to affirm what has been said many times before here on Hydroracer. It's one thing to talk about boat racing and to look at pictures. It's another thing to attend a boat race. But put someone >>in a race boat<< and chances are they'll be hooked.[/QUOTE]

I experienced that same thing a week ago when I got to see my 15 year old son take his first ride in a hydro. He now wants to race as much as I do!

[csh2z]

Mark,
It was good to see you and the boys there, glad they had a good time.

[Bill Huson]

You're right, Mark, give `em a ride . . .

Before Camden got huge (peak weekend entries 306) me'n my son we would fuel up two ASH boats and offer free rides to any and all. The Augustine crew joined the fray with CSH and also turned a few wanna be drivers loose in a 500ccH PRO rig! There would be lines to drive a boat. No prob getting them suited up, practically every trailer in the pits tossed in loaner gear.

Then Camden got huge, not much time left after racing (46 heats on one occasion), and the test rider fun was over. Now most races are downsized (it's the economy, stupid!) and maybe a few race teams should reup the test rider deal. It works. Added to the test ride was an open offer from the HokeyHydro team: wanna race an ASH? Use ours. We called it the rent-a-driver program. Quite a few new drivers took advantage of that deal.

[burl11]

Mark,

Thanks for the help in the pits at Wilson, and good luck to your son in his studies at MTSU and in future racing.

[Hydroglobe17J]

Mark, It was great seeing you & the boys again. As my buddy Tom said, "Thank you for your assistance in the pits". I was also glad to see someone actually listen to my recommendations too, I think Austin will be Awesome in 20, then perhaps CSH when the time is right!
Hope to see you again soon. Have Fun!

[Brew56]

Very good point Mark.

I will have 3 guys going for rides in my CSH before next season. Let's hope at least one of them gets hooked!

[T Chance]

"I forgot how much fun it was."

These were the words I heard from Austin, my 18 year old college bound son, after he raced my boat in 20SSH at Wilson, NC. after almost a two year layoff from boat racing. He previously raced in AXSH and ASH so this was quite a step up from what he was used to.

"I wanted to throw you out and drive it myself."

And those were the words of my 30 something year-old daughter when we came back in from 1100ccR a few weeks ago. She had run Pro-J as a teenager and has the bug again. So next year there will be another boat on the trailer: a 125 Pro Runabout.

Photo of the two of us by Jean Tennell. In my opinion Jean absolutely takes some of the best racing photos.

[propnuts]

Once you set the hook...

We had a gentleman show up at Eatonville this weekend with his daughter who had run at out New Folks in Boats event at Capitol Lake. We found a boat and motor for her to run (BTW we had 11 JSH entries on Sunday!!!), and she had a blast, even discovering that trying to turn one right can result in a quick swim Anyway I saw dad leaving the pits Sunday night with a boat in the back of his truck. How's that for "lowering the barriers to entry"?

[STEVE FRENCH]

Hey Austin,
There's a college in Lock Haven.......TRANSFER!!!

Altralites.......ROCK at the...........LOCK!!!

"Your Ad Here"

100N

[HRTV]

Bravo Mark!

There is not a YouTube video, racing web site, or blog that has the power of an actual boat ride on a warm summer evening.

Nothing.. I mean nothing! not the new Sidewinder motor not this web site, not my blog or any set of photos posted on the web.

This is exactly how I got started and I will bet you clothes off my back it will work every time.

My story takes place here in Washington, DC on a late summer afternoon early 1980's down on the banks of the Potomac River when former Champ Boat driver Harry Davis suited me up and told me to take his champ boat for a test ride.

As my heart began to race surely I thought he was just joking but when he handed me the life jacket and helmet and said put it on I thought I would die!

A few minutes later I was being pushed off the trailer fully suited up and told told to have fun! I yelled back at Harry what now and with a huge grin on his face Harry said gun it and keep the motor trimmed in.

Fast forward to today the power of one simple test ride, as stated above the hook was set!

[Mark 72@E]

Another Question

"I forgot how much fun it was."

He immediately followed with a string of questions including:
"What other classes can I race?"
"Can I race CSH?"
"When is Lock Haven?
"Is there an airport near Lock Haven?"

I remembered another one of Austin's questions:

"Can you leave the boats to us in your will so we can continue racing after you're dead?"

[Leeann]

I remembered another one of Austin's questions:

"Can you leave the boats to us in your will so we can continue racing after you're dead?"

Gee, what a nice thought....

[Kev43V]

We had a gentleman show up at Eatonville this weekend with his daughter who had run at out New Folks in Boats event at Capitol Lake. We found a boat and motor for her to run (BTW we had 11 JSH entries on Sunday!!!), and she had a blast, even discovering that trying to turn one right can result in a quick swim Anyway I saw dad leaving the pits Sunday night with a boat in the back of his truck. How's that for "lowering the barriers to entry"?

Great! well done