Nationals

[wbirdstrike]

Why doesn't nationals occur in the same state every year? It seems to me that a regular venue wood create less arguement and more tradition. The way I see it, is that when nats are held either left or right of the country, some won't go because of distance. I'm looking at it if I were to compete for nats next year I have to drive 2300 plus miles. Why couldn't it be evened out for the left and right coasters and put somewhere in the middle all the time. I'm not sure of the demographics of the sport, as to local, but does this make sence? If a person lives on the east coast and wants to compete next year at the nationals, he would have to take two weeks off from work to go racing, and the same goes for the other way. Wouldn't it improve nationals turnout if a comprimise was made to the center of our great country. By the way I live in Michigan, and if I were racing I would have no problem driving to Iowa to race the nationals. All opinions are welcome.

[B Walker]

By the way I live in Michigan, and if I were racing I would have no problem driving to Iowa to race the nationals. All opinions are welcome.

In the last 20 years I dont know how many National Championships have been held in MI........but it is alot. You want them every year instead of every 2 or 3? I dont think you will find much support for that idea outside of Region 6 and 7.

Big Picture:

As racers develop themselves from local racers to competing for national titles it is a natural progression that occurs. First, a new racer starts winning consistently locally, then considers competing on the National stage.

An opportunity every few years to not have to travel for days gives local racers a chance to measure themselves against National level competition. This is good for the sport and for developing a stronger commitment to competing Nationaly regularly.

An example of this is the tremendous growth of the West Coast contingent over the last 10-12 years. I am certain that without a couple of Nationals held on the west coast over that timeframe their membership levels and skill levels would have not progressed as quickly.

Wouldn't it improve nationals turnout if a comprimise was made to the center of our great country.

No, not in the long term. That is a surefire path to making this sport a regional sport, like curling.

I'm looking at it if I were to compete for nats next year I have to drive 2300 plus miles.

How far was Grass Lake, MI for ya? How far is Wakefield, MI from you? Those 2 locations have had at least 8 Nationals over the last 20 years, maybe more. I am not trying to be mean, just pointing out that you could have gone to a lot of Nationals and not even left your state in the last 20 years+.

I'm not sure of the demographics of the sport, as to local, but does this make sence?

rough demographics by membership:

50% Region 6 and 7
25% East coast and Southeast
20% West coast (growing)
5% Other (Bermuda, Southwest, UK, South and Central America)

BW

[Kev43V]

First Mr Walker is correct on all the reasons it should continue to move around.
Add to that many times the hosting clubs can make a couple bucks hosting it.

Of course I personaly like the idea of hosting it in the midwest all the time LOL
I think central IL would be perfect. The only people that would have to go through chicago would be a few wisco guys.
It works for the Pros, It works for OPC. It could work for us (stock) also. we could even still put it up to bid on what club would host each year.
But i think it might be best to leave it alone.

[roperz111]

I think we should have the Nationals in Hawaii every year.

[Dave M]

Common Ground

It is my opinion that if the Nationals in APBA are going to be continued as a combined event (Mod & Stock) they should be held centrally.

Does anyone know of a boat racer from Nebraska ? That seems like about as central as it could get and there is already a venue there that could support it.

If Central IL is more central, you always have Depue, and at least two other venues that could easily support it without a problem.

The largest problem with central is lack of manpower to coordinate it and obtain the sponsors. Nobody lives real close to the venues that could devote that much time.

This is just my opinion.

[L. Allen]

I love visiting different parts of the country through boatracing.

It's a wonderful reason to travel and see our country.

Boatracing is how I got to see Yosemite and Old Faithful, Cape Canaveral and Bush Gardens, the Mackinac Bridge and the UP, Lake Placid in New York and Florida, Thousand Islands, New York, etc., etc.

Variety is the spice of life, baby!

[Kevin Martin]

Super nationals..........

A couple of times a year it is discussed on this forum to combine stock/mod/pro for a so called "super nationals", how much fun would that be??? I would love to see it once before i go away. Kevin

[Kev43V]

It is my opinion that if the Nationals in APBA are going to be continued as a combined event (Mod & Stock) they should be held centrally.

Does anyone know of a boat racer from Nebraska ? That seems like about as central as it could get and there is already a venue there that could support it.

If Central IL is more central, you always have Depue, and at least two other venues that could easily support it without a problem.

The largest problem with central is lack of manpower to coordinate it and obtain the sponsors. Nobody lives real close to the venues that could devote that much time.

This is just my opinion.

Dave-
BSOA/MRC could do it in central IL as easy or easier than Wakefield. It is actually closer than Wakefield for nearly everyone involved.
Plus there are at least 4 racers IN central IL. in the U.P.? 1 I think. and I do not think he is a kneel down racer.

Twisted Sis -You make a VERY good point!
Race boats... travel see the country...hang out with friends....Priceless

The fact is the miles and time that are expended by one set of Coasties traveling to the other coast are off set for the most part by having the Nat on the Other coast the next time. ( I know its only true to a point as its a long way from northern Wa. to southern Cali)

[chicagopaul]

I like the Hawaii idea!!!!!

Yep, I agree with all of you.

Scott Reed appointed a committee to review the concept and I made a presentation at the last Annual Meeting.

OPC and PRO have a "relatively" small number of "Series" races. Stock Outboard has been very fortunate in that our numbers are high compared to the other 2 categories and therefore, we do not have series races. We have a large number of "Local" races. Therefore they really can't be compared.

Each stock outboard race is hosted by a different club. Man power is therefore very localized. There are not too many clubs that would be able to do a National Race year after year. It's a lot of work and the community would have to really be committed. DePue? We do not want to do anything to upset the apple cart for the PROS. There are already 2 PRO races and 1 Stock Outboard race there each year. Do you think the community would be willing to have 1 more week of boat raceing for us? Maybe ...Maybe not. And I don't know where we could get a sponsor in DePue. (And yes, it would be my job to find the sponsor as a DePue Nationals would be my race as Commodore of Marine Racing Club of Illinois)

DePue? Wakefield? Grass Lake? Constantine? Centrally ... that's pretty much it folks.

The best I could come up with was a rotation every 4 years to the same 4 sites. 1 South, 1 EAST / N/E, 1 West N/W, and 1 Central.

Clubs and communities rely on the Nationals for revenue and media exposure.
To have it in the same "Central" location each year would be a hardship to the other clubs that have looked to rely on the income and media exposure at least every few years. And it could be a traveling burden to the extreme locations of the country. Recognizing that Washington, California, New Jersey have all hosted successful National events.

I think 1 of our strongest assets is that we DO travel and rotate the Nationals. There may be a time when our numbers are so small that we might have to be a Series race too. I believe that would be the time to consider a Central site. But for now, I believe traveling to be one of our strengths, and not a weakness.

Paul

[wbirdstrike]

I put the question out there to hear how people felt about the rotating location of nationals. It wasn't to propose a Michigan site every year, but a centralized site. From what I gather evryone seems to agree, for whatever reason they have, that nationals should move around from year to year. Like I said all opinions are welcome. Also, just a footnote "curling" is a very large sport in all of Cananda and I wouln't call that regional.

[sam]

just a footnote "curling" is a very large sport in all of Cananda and I wouln't call that regional.

North is a region

[Blackhawkguy]

The world is my Oyster

Saranac lake, Dayton Ohio, Wakefield Mi,Dayton Oh. Wakefield, Oroville Ca.

These were the nationals from 1978 thru 1983 the time before I entered the Marines

Without boat racing I would of never visited any of these places not counting all the stops in between, also on my many trips to and from duty stations over the first few years I traveled many of the same roads it took to get to these places.

For a few years we got stuck in the Wakefield, Dayton, Hinton cycle.

I went to a few boat races in Cal. when I was there and if not for the nationals I would of not known anyone there but I knew alot of people who had traveled to the nationals and some who had only been to Oroville in 83.

The Nationals moveing from place to place is one of the best parts of S.O., alot of people team up to get their equipment from a far distant place, this leads to comeratery and team work.

The finacial burden is always a concern but in the long run the benefits outway them.

Kerry

[RLR]

Nationals

I am kind of torn, but reality sets in every now and again.

The Pro category is very lucky to have the DePue Men's Club and before them, the Lake DePue preservation Association as long term sponsors for us. The Men's Club is outstanding with not only the Men, but their wives', girfriend's, and family members all pitching in to put on what I would deem as the finest, well run, well oiled(that is another story) Nationals in the country. Plus you have a City that opens their arms for us, whether in the Spring or for the Nationals. They love us coming there. In fact many of the reunions for schools and clubs are built around the time of the Nationals.

Not to take away from clubs who put their Nationals on in other categories and move them around, but, it is very soothing to know we are ready to go the last Friday of every July for the Nationals. Remember that, every last Friday in July, no wondering when to get vacations, no wondering if I am going to have to use more rather than less vacation, etc. etc, who is going and can I get my equipment out there with them, which equipment gets left at home because there was no more room on the trailer, unless you are Kyle/Pat or the Birdman from the left coast

When it is at one site some of the above benefits are added to the history that is DePue as seen in the reunion held a few years ago, Thanks to John Schubert, Ron Hill, Joe Rome and of course Wayne Baldwin, and all of the old timers who came out to make it a wonderful weekend.

In addition, this allows our sponsor to have a set program, knows when we need to run, how to take advantage of having drivers there all week, after Constantine with activities all week, and to add to the financial needs that have to be met.

As far as seeing other parts of the country, nothing but good thoughts, I have been fortunate enough to see more of the country than most because of work, and it is always fun to go announce at a new venue. However the benefits of having it centrally located so that it is not a huge two way pull, for one group or another is priceless, well some money gets exchange. However you will find that you will draw better when it is centrally located.

I noticed the account of all the local clubs having races during the summer vs. the Title Series having 6-7 races per year. This allows us to have usually in the open cockpit classes 8-20 boats per class rather than running 3-5 boats in some classes and many more classes make for a long day. We are usually no more than 4-5 hours of actual racing which allows for a good concise program, which allows for planning by our sponsors.

Just some thoughts and I do come down on the side of one site, one weekend date, so that everyone knows where and when.

Ray

[drew79c]

Not everybody who races has deep pockets (like the majority of PRO racers) And can afford traveling across country every year, I am one of those people. Also I believe a large show like the nationals is a better advertisement and showing for spectators and people interested in getting into the sport. It seems to me that boat racing is very strong in midwest especially Illinois an DePue likely is a large contributing factor to this. PRO racing is all but nonexistant on west coast, Nationals in Depue may or may not be contributing to this. It almost seems it should be the East Coast title series cause the club hardly covers the whole country. I likely wont race PRO because of my finances or lack there of, and in no means trying to start s#@t just stating my observations. MERRY X MAS and stuff to all

[ram95]

Up here in Maine, is where the Nationals ought to be held every year. It is really a no-brainer. The town is named 'Pergatory'... there's a great dance hall here called the Whip-or-will,... right on the edge of the lake. You could race here and claim you went to "perguatory" if you lost. If you won..... you could claim to have been to "hell-and-back!! ...........and if you WON,,,, ytou could claim to have beaten the hell out of everybody up in Maine!!!

Talk about a win (freaking) win situation!!! Wow. Aint no body in this nation has anything better'n that. Plus we got the "Moxie Festival" up here.

Alex
The Mad Russian 'Promoting Maine at all costs'....