Shorter Nationals ?

[Tomtall]

I have heard that there will be discussion at the National APBA meeting about shortening the length of the Stock Outboard summer nationals. Typically this event runs for 5 to 6 days in August each year.

Do racers and crew feel that this event should be shortened? Besides posting your vote please explain your thoughts either Pro or Con about doing so if you would like to. Thanks.

Yes - I feel the S.O. summer nationals should be shortened.

No - I think the S.O. summer nationals should remain as they are.

[Mrs blueskyracer]

Saw this thread was marked as closed, unknown as to why, but I have re-opened it.

[Racerkyle20]

Now it depends on the event. This year in cali it will be stock and mod nationals. I don't think its possible to run both in a shorter time (5 or so days). With all the elms, etc. Last time it was stock and mod was in NY. We lost one day due to weather and we ended up racing 12 hour days just to get thru the schedule by saturday!
Now when its only mod, they are able to do it 3 days. But stock has more classes, more participation, and more elm heats to run. 3 days with stock by itself would be pushing it. Maybe 4....but it'd be difficult.

[Boatracer4fun]

My .02

I have never attended a National event, but I will add that I agree what Kyle said, however I feel the Stock should be a seperate venue then Mods.

With that said, I think they should be shortned. Reason being some of the employers out there wont support lengthy vacation/travel time in 1 request.

[sam]

Reason being some of the employers out there wont support lengthy vacation/travel time in 1 request.

I think that is something clubs will need to consider from now on, but I believe there are some venues that justify the "big event" status of a combined Nationals

[racen7]

Been to a number of boat racing Nationals and I see no reason to be longer than 3 days 4 at the most. To do that cut way back on testing. If your boat is not ready for the Nationals before you get there than do the best you can with what you have got. Testing takes up way too much racing time.
Racen7 Region 7

[mercguy]

Been to a number of boat racing Nationals and I see no reason to be longer than 3 days 4 at the most. To do that cut way back on testing. If your boat is not ready for the Nationals before you get there than do the best you can with what you have got. Testing takes up way too much racing time.
Racen7 Region 7

I disagree, I think testing should be alowed at the Nats. It gives those guys that have NEVER raced on that particular course a chance to get their setup a little more dialed in for the conditions and better competition against those that have regularly raced at that particular venue. Also, combined MOD and STOCK Nats is a GOOD thing, as it should bring more entrys for BOTH categories (where as having them 2 separate weeks apart) and also lets racers intermingle with those people they rarely see. Shortening the event to less than 4 days really is not practical. Yes, attending the Nationals to win a championship is a MAIN goal, but not THE goal for everyone. It is also an opportunity to socialize with their cross-country friends, etc. Some of the best parts of Nationals are the AFTER RACE festivities............keep in mind also that MOTHER NATURE is not predictable, so she is one of the driving forces that determine how long the event lasts.

PS: I know you "military folks" get 2.5 days of vacation per month (30days a year), which is more than pretty much the rest of us, so you can go ahead and spend the week racing and extra days testing and having fun!!!!!!!! I'm an ex-NAVY guy!!!

PSS: I vote for having the racing start Monday, ending Friday (hopefuly) and allowing the weekends for drive/travel time to/from home..........

[Hydroman]

Yes, the militarydoes get 2.5 days per month, but they are charged for the weekends. So two weeks (10 days) will cost the military member 16 days for a two week vacation, instead of 10 days vacation for the public sector.

"Air Force"

[racerchic3z]

The question isn't about the length of the nationals. It's about class structure. We've got lots of classes to get in, and with eliminations, It's nearly impossible to do in a 3 or 4-day weekend. If you want to shorten the nationals, you need to get rid of some classes.

Stacy

PS - This year's stock nats in Grass Lake was one of the best-run nationals I've ever been to.

[BP125V]

combined

I would vote to keep them combined as much as possible as it results in more entries for Stock and Mod. Shorten the Nationals? I hope not, I think the week goes too fast as it is.

Bill

[ryan_4z]

I agree Bill, let's make the Nationals longer, like a month or so. I'd quit my job every year if I had to to get time off.

[ram95]

Shorten the Nats... whoa!!!

holy crapolli... this is why I love HR. Everyone (who is on the net and who has moxie enough) can say what's on their mind. I know I've pizzed "Dan" off at times but that's the price I pay.

As for the Nats..., Mutha nature is really the dominatrix of the event. Testing time is fine if she approves, otherwise you better just be friggen ready!! I can deal with that.

And, the hit on the "military" is below the belt. "The Military" as you-all should know, signs their azzes-on-the-line... (I did it for 22 years) WE/THEY don't have a choice of where to be. You..., you fine people, who have chosen to take the civilian route to freedom need to know who's keeping the road clear. Back to the Nats...

Stacy said a mouthful - "get rid of some classes"!

Well, I don't want to see us (APBA) get rid of anybody!! But, we seriously need to think of how we can combine engines and classes into a CLASS that has more than 4 freaking boats at most race sites!

I've read all the posts over the past few weeks and I hear everyone who who wants their kid to be able to run faster etc etc.. I'm going to tell you something which you should all agree with, and that is, SPEED isn't the arbiter. Speed is relative.

Give me a class for my kid to race in where there's more than 3 boats running and maybe there will be a feeling of accomplishment. Otherwise, 3rd is LAST. Think about it.

For this Nats meeting, the prime subject ought to be how we can increase the number of boat entered per class. And, to accomplish that WE need to be prepared to intelligently discuss how the current class structure can be combined.

I'll tell you something else. The "Staff" at APBA HQ who try to keep score would greatly appreciate such an approach.

Alex
"the Mad Russian" ............shoot at me if you will, I've been shot at by professionals!!!

[markt326c]

I think that the Nationals should be combined because their are a lot of drivers who like to race in both categories and it does give you more entries when you have the opportunity to do so at one event. Unfortunately when you split them up you make people
have to choose between which Nat's to attend and it really seams unfair to a lot of people who cannot afford to attend both, especially if they are half way across the country form each other as they were in 2007. The Nationals is and should be the high light in every drivers dream. Wanting to make boat racing grow the Nat's should be made the easiest event possible and combining the two categories makes it just that.
You don't have to be the fastest to have the most fun and have the greatest time just by being their with everyone else. I have been to a few Nat's. and the combined was the most fun.

Mark Tingley 326-C

[Dave M]

Tom -

The poll is for SO only. if you would like some imput from the Mod persective, as it seems every other nationals is combined, I would like to see a shorter course.

Whitney point was way to long for the Mod's. It took every bit of driving away and in the end it was cubic dollars that won. I know some folks built special motors just for the super long course, and many simply purchased some very long course wheels.

This is only my opinion, and I know many will not agree in stock outboard, but the Nationals course should be similar to what the average venue is. I can't name one course in Region 6 or 7 that is as long as Whitney point. Wakefield would be the closest, and look at the recent Mod attendence at that one. Mod motors simply are more advanced than the stock counterparts in terms of technology to make them go faster. With this comes the dependabilty issue. You run a real mod motor tached out for three laps or 5 minutes straight and it wears on them.

Just my opinon and why I feel the nat's should be seperated. I simply don't like taking the driving ability out of the race. Keep it a mile or under and everyone still has a chance with everyday equipment, no special prop or motor needed. Traditionally, Stock Outboard Nationals have been a very long course. Maybe the trend is shifting somewhat, but I feel they still stretch it as much as possible.

[Brian10s]

There seems to be several different thoughts on this thread, I will try and comment on a couple.

1st - SO & MO combo Nats whenever possible. Combo helps both categories in additional entries. Split Nats either has guys choising one or the other or having to try and do both (which burns up Vac and Boss')

2nd - Length of the event. Should be as long as is needed to complete it. With weather and other factors that can not be controlled, the host club has to add to the schedule enough room to make sure they complete all the racing. The first time a Nats is forced to be only X number of days will be the first time a champion is not crowned.

3rd - Length of course. We do not race the same course every weekend, why should we race the same course every Nats? Some are big, others smaller. Nascar does not race Bristol or Daytona every weekend and neither should we.

4th - a Central Loc. This would be great but as many have said, it is hard to have a single club put on the nats every year. Not to mention the sponsors, etc for an every year. If possible, it would be great but it is so difficult to pull off.