Nationals

[BabcockBros38A]

my 2cents

There have been many interesting postings here about reasons justifying the lengths and locations of our National Championships. Having traveled to a few of them myself, Hinton, Saranac, Bakersfield, Dayton, Kingston, Wakefield, I agree that nowadays it is a costly event, both to compete in and organize. As Laurie said, it is the best way one can imagine to see parts of this country that you wouldn't ever have time or reason to see but because they are on the way it's an added bonus. Although I have been witness to the loss of friends at some of these events, EACH one of them has given my family many many memories and friends. When they first started the combined SO/MOD Nats we grumbled, but understood that it had to be this way for both groups to be able to have National Championships with out going broke. It would be nice to be afforded the luxury of having a location yearly like Depue, but that is an exception not a rule.The PRO division is blessed with that. National events take an enormous amount of people and time to organize and it should be understood by the masses when it doesn't become centrally located in the near future. I think everyone should try to attend at least one National event, you would not regret it. Trailor pooling is always a good way of combining resources with friends.
Borrowing Dave M's line..... it's only my opinion
Pete B.

[reed28n]

Series Races and Location

I would be in favor of a National Championship in a central location on the same weekend every year.

I have been a member of a club that has seen the financial benefit of hosting a Nationals. We had a great group and put in a lot of hours. But it is difficult now and will become more difficult in future years to secure sponsorships dollars moving around town to town. Going to the same place annually would help our cause.

I would also like to see APBA host National events, have a Nationals committee that handles it. In the end if the National organization was to get he financial benefit the wealth would be shared acrossed the nation rather than one region or one club.

What if APBA owned a site in the central part fo the US where all categories held their Nationals and other championship races? Would we be able to achieve a benefit insurance wise by insuring a race site for the season rather than multiple policies throughout many different State and local municpalities.

What if we pooled our efforts?

Look for Divisional sites to host multiple events through out the season--

Repeated exposure at a single site is easy to promote. Concentrated effort and a chance to apply resources to the development of one site.

Jeff Williams "We are gypsies!"

People that find us at a race site have to pass by almost by a random occurance. Going to one site 4 times a year.........people can plan to be there next time you race.

[Dave M]

Common Theme

Some things will never change, you have boat racers and boat riders.

If you want to party and socialize you can do that, if you want to boat race it is the freaking Nat's, the big one, the big daddy rabbit of the races. I really hope nobody would want a Nationals just for the party, that seems unfair. It is the byproduct of racing. I guess I am to old school and really think of the racing aspect. Maybe that is why I have cut back so much in recent years, to much has been taken away from the racing aspect. I like to party and see friends just a smuch as the next person, but I make no mistake about it, I am there to race, and the goal is victory. It used to be that way for probably 95% of the Mod racers.... now look at the numbers........ hmmm, could there be a coralation between this and the decline in retaining membership ? Could it be why sponsors don't come knocking at our door ? They see a big party instead of a boat race ? I don't know, maybe it is food for thought though.

[Racerkyle20]

This arguement comes up every year there's a stock/mod nationals on the west coast...never when on the east coast. Us left siders drive east every 2-3 years before we get to host a nationals. nationals goes: east-midwest-west-midwest-east, etc (most of the time). So west coast nationals are only about 30% of the time. 99' 03' 07' now 10' are the west coast nationals in the last 12 seasons. Just to drive to Michigan is 2000+ miles from washington. more from california. granted cali has less outboard racers lately, but region 10 is the 2nd most populated ouboard region (behind michigan). So for us hardcore racers on the west coast, this is mostly a yearly routine. Trying to get time off work, getting big trailer together to cut costs, etc.

Rotating the nationals is the only way to do stock nationals, becasue unlike the US title series/PRO, we do not have centrally located category.

[B Walker]

Both series racing and a single location National Chamiponships are a natural byproduct of a decreasing membership.

In the all-vounteer business model that we use, as clubs all over the country have less members and less resources they become incapable of fulfilling the duties and obligations of hosting a National Championships.

Eventually, the strongest surviving club becomes the defacto permanent Nats hosting club.

In other words, its not a choice, its a pragmatic decision required for the survival of the sport.

BW

[B Walker]

This arguement comes up every year there's a stock/mod nationals on the west coast...never when on the east coast.

HAHAHA, I noticed that too but wasnt gonna say anything

But of course the east coasters might say there hasnt been a real East Coast Nationals scince the last one on the east side of the Appalachian Mts. and thats been awhile.

BW

[jpro60]

But of course the east coasters might say there hasnt been a real East Coast Nationals scince the last one on the east side of the Appalachian Mts. and thats been awhile.

BW

Does New York not count as the east coast? because it was sure one heck of a long ways from washington.

[mercguy]

I would be in favor of a National Championship in a central location on the same weekend every year.

I have been a member of a club that has seen the financial benefit of hosting a Nationals. We had a great group and put in a lot of hours. But it is difficult now and will become more difficult in future years to secure sponsorships dollars moving around town to town. Going to the same place annually would help our cause.

I would also like to see APBA host National events, have a Nationals committee that handles it. In the end if the National organization was to get he financial benefit the wealth would be shared acrossed the nation rather than one region or one club.

What if APBA owned a site in the central part fo the US where all categories held their Nationals and other championship races? Would we be able to achieve a benefit insurance wise by insuring a race site for the season rather than multiple policies throughout many different State and local municpalities.

What if we pooled our efforts?

Look for Divisional sites to host multiple events through out the season--

Repeated exposure at a single site is easy to promote. Concentrated effort and a chance to apply resources to the development of one site.

Jeff Williams "We are gypsies!"

People that find us at a race site have to pass by almost by a random occurance. Going to one site 4 times a year.........people can plan to be there next time you race.

but, who determines what a "central site" is???????? Central from where and whom??? I do like the idea of APBA HQ holding the National events and could distribute the "profits" according to the regions and their attendance at the Nationals, which would still benefit the closer regions, but so be it. That is why you would continually have to change the location of the Nationals, like it is now.

Combine the Stock and Mod Nats..............if you really want to win a National Championship, then you will make the drive............sure is easier having it all together at one venue..............I also liked the mentioned idea of a SUPER NATS (stock/mod/pro combined)..............make it one week of continued racing..........

sure is a varied mentality between the 3 different categories it seems.........

[B Walker]

Does New York not count as the east coast? because it was sure one heck of a long ways from washington.

Nope, Whitney Point is west of the Appalachian Mts.

[Kev43V]

....

sure is a varied mentality between the 3 different categories it seems.........[/QUOTE]
You can say that again. Heck you don't have to leave a catagory to find varied opinions LOL

[Dave M]

Central U.S.

but, who determines what a "central site" is???????? Central from where and whom??? .

Central Untied States of America. That way everyone is traveling the same average distance. West, East North and South. There are not many racers in the Central U.S. so what few there are would have the advantage.