Stock chairman for 2010?

[mike ross]

Ok now I am going to throw another monkey wrench in this highjacked thread. If the Sidewinder had been produced and ran at the expectation that it proposed back 6 years ago at Atlanta's National Meeting we might be looking at a different circumstance. What I have seen is the SORC putting all there ducks in one basket vs what we have that works. Every year we give the Sidewinder folks more extensions to execute there plan for 3 new motor variations. I feel we need to have options that we know work today. Let Sidewinder keep testing. When they get all the bugs worked out then proceed with the plan. The situation we have seen so far is to sell a motor that isn't up to par. Have it go around the track off the pace. Have everyone on the beach comment how poorly it is running. Sidewinder needs to give Rich Runne a medal. He took the motor out testing and worked with it to get it up to speed. Keep in mind he is probably the most talented stock outboard racer I have ever known. He lives and breaths boat racing. He puts mega hours into his boat racing program. Remember a new potential boat racer would never have gotten this motor to where Rich has it today. This should have been done after the Atlanta meeting. We would then now not have all this what motor goes in what class behind us. John Runne gave a great presentation on how the transition would go. The problem is the motors are still in the testing stages 6 years later. They are getting closer as demonstrated throughout the 2009 year. I know Stock needs new motors. I feel Sidewinder is trying to be a replacement for a factory like a Mercury or Evinrude. It is very difficult for a 2 man band to accomplish this. We already drove another gentleman out of this type of venture when a factory motor got approved and is now showing some promise in the D class. Lets look at what we have today that works and sell that to the public and when other options are available that we know will work in a positive way sell that. Lets stop putting the cart before the horse. Mikey

[Howie Nichols]

AXS is a good class for the kids to transition in. Our example: Becky doesn't want to run J anymore, she is just not that competitive in it so AXS is perfect for her. Next year she wants to race more, of course she wants to do well but, she does NOT care about NAtional High Points in the additional class.

If the Merc was legal in A then we could add a little weight and let her go, (perhaps filling the field) but she could race MORE, add MORE to the club treasury, add MORE to the action on the water, give her MORE needed seat time, with LESS cost to Daddy for more equipment.

Currently I do not want her to compete in A with 12 boats on a national level, I want her to run it on a local level, gain experience, and be prepared. Since the tendancy for A is to have more "mature" drivers they are less likely to watch out for the "kids" as they go into a turn which could spell disaster.

AXS does not (for the most part) have that cutthroat mentality. When Becky has run up the inside of the more "mature" drivers like Abby, George S., they give her a little extra room or at the least keep a close eye on her. On more than one occasion they have come to me saying she did an excellent job or have talked to her saying, you know if you ........ it may help you, how much better can that be?!?!?!

I know Sidewinder is concerned with the Merc since it has a larger Cubic inch than the OMC and that the motors can possibly be toyed with to get more out of them, to this the SO Tech committee can just keep a tight leash on it so it does not get "altered".

One last point, even if I did have OMC's which I do (2 each Merc's and 2 each OMC's) you must alter the transom height (Merc is approx 1.5" higher") to change over from AXS (Merc) to A (OMC) so you need to allow more time in your schedule to make changes and put lots of work on the crews to get it all ready in a safe manner. Not many people can have 4 boats and 4 motors so they are all set up and ready. I know of several people that have elected not to put the OMC on and run their Merc instead due to time constraints.

SO with all this rant, our vote is to allow the Merc to compete in the A classes.

[csh2z]

Mike, Ron bought Hot Rod less than 4 years ago, you should remember that as you were the secretary under Ed Hearn when this all began. You are very wrong about the performance results. when I have more time (soon) I'll elaborate by starting a new thread.

[26V]

Quote""to this the SO Tech committee can just keep a tight leash on it so it does not get "altered".""

To late as the J committee has allowed many alterations to the motor. dry tower and "any" rings to name 2.

which brings up the issue of the J category has basic control of the Merk motor. ( which they should have) So as the J Tech committee allows changes to the motor "stock" has no control of it. There for It should be a J motor not a Stock motor.
( ouch this is going to hurt)

[csh2z]

Howie, The J category allows any piston ring that fits the hole to be used in the Merc and we have no control on what modifications may be legalized next. So much for a short leash.

[bill boyes]

Region 11's last race at Dobbins Pam Wilde Ran ASH with her fathers Steve's new Sidewinder. The motor performed very well and was impressive.
I have read here on this site that the goal of the SORC is to have one motor per class. The "A" would have 3 motors available in 2010. So drop the Merc 15 from "A". In five years or less drop the OMC from "A'. Is this the long range plan? Going to be very painful.

[mike ross]

Prevouis National Meetings in order John. This year will be 7 years. John the 07,08,09 are available for viewing if you go to the APBA website under downloads.

2010- Tukwila WA
2009- Raliegh NC
2008-Detroit MI
2007- Los Angeles CL
2006 Fort lauderdale FL
2005 Milwakee WI
2004 Atlanta GA

[bill boyes]

Howie, The J category allows any piston ring that fits the hole to be used in the Merc and we have no control on what modifications may be legalized next. So much for a short leash.

John. get the facts right. By hole I assume mean the bore. The ring rule states that the piston cannot be altered to accommodate the ring.
Question. Yamato rings Factory? Yes or No

[Howie Nichols]

I know full well what the J Committee has done with the Merc since I serve on that Committee. If the SO Commission shares their wishes then perhaps we can all communicate aand make things the best they can be.

Novel concept???

I am sure the J Committee will be happy to keep things in check and only allow what it feels is best just like other commissions, so keep us informed and let us know if you see things are amiss.

Example:
People have been filling a hole in the thermostat housing (Merc) with silicone. It does increase performance from what I have been told. We have not done it with our motors to date. There is a loop hole in the rules that allows it ... for now.

Now that we know I'm sure that will be on the agenda in WA.

[csh2z]

Many members of the SORC made our wishes and concerns very well known at that meeting before that decision was made. It did not matter.

[Big Don]

Quote""

To late as the J committee has allowed many alterations to the motor. dry tower and "any" rings to name 2.

which brings up the issue of the J category has basic control of the Merk motor. ( which they should have) So as the J Tech committee allows changes to the motor "stock" has no control of it. There for It should be a J motor not a Stock motor.
( ouch this is going to hurt)

I hear ya. The SORC has neve done anything like that with any stock engines. You do own a OMC correct? You are drying the tower correct? Come on Kev... this was to easy.

[26V]

I hear ya. The SORC has neve done anything like that with any stock engines. You do own a OMC correct? You are drying the tower correct? Come on Kev... this was to easy.

LOL, I can not tell a lie, yess I run a dry tower. I was running a dry tower before I even knew what the meaning of dry tower was.
As I am sure you know the point was that SORC has no control over the Merk.

[Kev43V]

I hear ya. The SORC has neve done anything like that with any stock engines. You do own a OMC correct? You are drying the tower correct? Come on Kev... this was to easy.

Kev43v = Kev
26v = Gene

[Big Don]

guess I knew that and was posting with my phone....trying to post from the airport...flight delayed...if we don't get out maybe they will schedule 20 later....lol....good thing we have a long layover in minneapolis

[Kev43V]

So how about that stock chairman.... cause that is the header at the top of the post.