Stock chairman for 2010?

[racer3j]

With the exception of a couple Mercurys (peters is one of them and that is the motor is one of the fastest in the country) most of them would not be competitive in the A class running against omc's

[steve smith 150m]

But they could be, as you well know.

[B1PRORACER]

Mercury in A class

I believe that our conversation concerning the ability of running a Mercury engine in A stock is not a matter of winning in A stock. I believe it is a matter of a young driver being able to transition into A stock. A young driver can participate in A stock with what he has and what he is familiar with. They probably are still going to race JH, we are talking about their first venture into A stock.

It also has to do with “grass roots” local racing. In region 1- we do not have a lot of A stock participants and we only have 3 Mercury engines that could be run in AXS. One or two Mercury drivers might make it possible for the other A stock racers to have enough boats for a race!

And yes, it has to do with what was advertised- what was promised- and rules continuity in stock outboard racing.... When you originally bought your Mercury, it was a legal A stock engine. You bought your engine with an eye towards the future. It may have been the deciding issue that justified its purchase.

[Affholter66]

Not sure who made the point...but I have the same question. Why are we ditching motors via rule rather than attrition???? Makes absolutely NO SENSE to me...

Roger A

[Affholter66]

oops shoulda started a new thread.....

[racer3j]

Well I believe they can race in the A class they just receive no points.

[chicagopaul]

Mike,

I don't think the MODS or PRO's or OPC, etc are any better off in the bottom line decisions that are made than we are. No one is every happy no matter what the catagory. It's just a fact of life.

The tension in the room last year when the Mec motor was being discussed was terrible. It was tabled and then finally, a decision had to be made. With what was before them at the time. It seemed to be the right answer, but it was never and easy answer. With things that happend in other meetings afterwards with the J committee, etc, had that meeting happend first, the outcome might have been different.

So if you wanna change it, then get the votes to change it. No biggie. What would you be more likely to give value to ... 1 letter with 20 names on it, or .... 20 letters with 1 name each? Generally the latter carries more weight. If you are 1 of those that don't wnt to change it, use the same process. Get 3 folks to write 1 letter to keep it.

I'm not taking any sides here, just trying to share some things that I have observed. And why stop at the Merc motor? The commissioners will present any thought out and represented idea. That is what they are there for.

I agree about the contact info. Not sure what happend because it was on the APBA Stock Outboard site so it's not intentionally being left off. I e-mailed Scott and Tanna.

ChicagoPaul

[csh2z]

The ad in propeller magazine was supposed to be changed. I don't know who was assigned to get that done but it was not done.

[smirnoff]

OK - my .02

MORE motor restrictions, MORE motor regulations, MORE motor eliminations, & MORE motor politics will only keep MORE people away from the sport.....

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out - the dwindling number of racers & attrition is the proof!

[reed28n]

Many goods Points

First the Merc that is running those speeds is not running at the A Class weight.

The local racing Committee can under our current rules run classes combined at a local level. You just would not receive National high points. This has been at the center of the debate many times. AXS drivers will state that they don't want to compete they just want to race. And then contradict themselves and say they want national points.

There is nothing in our current rules preventing local racing of combined classes. Run and get your Tee-shirt. If you want to compete on a National scale get the equipment that will allow you to compete.

Fast Jack....if you want your son to learn to drive you have made an excellent choice with the J and AXS. When it is time for him to move up help out your local Region by selling your used motors to a new driver and let your son step up to the next class. There is no guarantee that Jack will able to run A. what if he has a huge growth spurt and puts on 50 lbs? You will be by a B motor anyway, not any kind of A.

Having a cut off keeps the used equipment alive. People moving up and changing classes has kept the A Class and the 20SSH class going for a long time without a motor in production for either class.

[Matt Dagostino]

Prizes??

There is nothing in our current rules preventing local racing of combined classes. Run and get your Tee-shirt.

I can't remember the last non-National race we were at where we got any prizes!! A tee shirt would be like winning the Daytona 500 to Stock Outboarders!!

Please keep an eye on Troy for me, i heard he is off his summer diet

Good luck with the Merc issue..............I am sure it will be the most controversial issue facing the SORC in the upcoming months!

[B1PRORACER]

Mercury in A

I believe this discussion is missing the point. I am not talking about needing to winning the Nationals in ASH or becoming a National High Point Champion with a Mercury engine. The reality that seems to be missing in this discussion is the fact that some people only have so much money to spend on their racing equipment. You have a kid who is racing JH, and will be racing JH for the next year or so… It is a good TRANSITION for him to be ABLE to remove the restrictor plate and try ASH. Some people will NEED to sell their Mercury in order to buy an A engine…what about them running J again? Remember- older kids who have moved on are sometimes called on to complete a J class. This could elimiate the J class for a few younger kids who can't move up.
I know what you are going to say next- that this is what AXSH is for… well, we don’t have the AXSH class in Region 1. At the NE Divisionals we only had 5 entries! There is a resistance to adding another class of 3 boats to the schedule…. It seems so simple. I don’t understand how this idea can be so threatening to anyone?

[Kev43V]

I have enough mixed emotions on this issue that I do not even have an opinion on what is best.
on one hand we had a new motor for the A class. that would never be truly competitive on a national level. What message does that send to someone new? At best you actually tell them. Yes you can buy this motor new for A. But, you will undoubtedly will never win a national championship with it. unless you are REAL lucky
at worst you sell them the motor that they naturaly ASSUME can win. Then they find out it is not competitive in A. What kind of taste will that leave them with...

Like Big Don (and others) said. it made sense to leave it in. So people can step up and fill a class when the numbers are short in A. 2 they could run A for boat time also. Just like many A drivers enter in ASX when the numbers are too low to field a class.
who would have thought it. It somtimes seems that the only thing worse than not having new motors, is to have them. LOL

what is the solution?
wieght? 3 weights for A:
A/merc x pounds
A/omc 345 pounds
A/sidewinder 345+ pounds
????

[ricochet112]

How about Fred Flintstone for 2010 SO chairman???

Talk about a hi-jacked thread

Here's a thought to really stir things up; make the OMC restrictor "about" .725-.750 and combine the Merc & OMC engines for "the new" A class and remove the AXS class altogether! I think this would be a good option (more than a few think the current A speeds are too high anyway) IF the Sidewinder wasn't coming into the A class at this time...it would be a tough pill to swallow buying a Merc when it was a legal A engine, and now it's not...

[14J]

I can't remember the last non-National race we were at where we got any prizes!! A tee shirt would be like winning the Daytona 500 to Stock Outboarders!!

Please keep an eye on Troy for me, i heard he is off his summer diet

Good luck with the Merc issue..............I am sure it will be the most controversial issue facing the SORC in the upcoming months!

Hey now buddy, just beefing up for a Tohatsu!

Anyone need a 102?