J & AX Topics

[csh2z]

Richard,
Ask the chief inspector for the J category. And please post the answers. Thanks

[14-H]

Richard,
Ask the chief inspector for the J category. And please post the answers. Thanks

There is no J Category and their certainly is no Chief J Inspector.

It seems to me, in reading the rule, the part must be from a 1999 motor or newer and it must be from a 15 engine.

Now if you use a motor leg from a 9.9 that has no part number or serial number on it and it meets all of the dimensions etc, is that legal? Answer is: NO! But, will you be DQ'ed? Probably not because it will be impossible to tell that it is not a 1999 or newer 15 HP part.

That's the way I look at it.

[Dave M]

Good Point

What Susan was getting at is the fact that you can't throw 40 pounds of lead on the deck to plane off the boat and then throw in on the transom once the boat planes off. Being able to shift weight is an advantage. As the lady said, try to consider both sides.
In terms of growth in membership the J catagory and maybe vintage are the only catagories that are on a positive trend. It's the rest of us that I'm worried about.

Steve,

Good point on the growth model. That is why I suggest we work on retaining these members. It is very obvious that the J category is a good growth category, the numbers are there. If we focus on retaining this influx of members and fostering them into other classes and categories, it is an ideal model.

I add it up, J category is growing well, Mod/Stock/Pro as a whole is declining in membership. The answer is retaining this growth.

I like Richards point about speed in the 1/4 Midgets. They travel like we do, they spend money on equipment like we do. They have good numbers at races like we do (J). It is more expensive than we are. So why is it so popular ? Maybe it is the speed, they run faster than we do. Maybe that is an attraction. They have to buy their engines stock and have them modified to race, same as boats, chassis is the same thing, specialty. You can't buy it off the shelf at a car dealership.

I see some great input on this thread. I think larger boats would help the weight issue, reduce the planning off issue, and make it more equal. You could increase the restrictor plate size to gain more low end power....

Also, lowering the age of AXSH is a good idea. I know of some kids that needed to be able to move up two years or so before age allowed them to. Why hold them back ? Almost seems like we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

[mike ross]

here is the folks that should know the answer

JUNIOR CLASSES COMMITTEE (JR, JH, AXSR, AXSH)
Buddy Tennell, Chairman
4000 Inman Park Lane, Buford, GA 30519-8909
H) 770-831-1181 B) 678-966-3310 btennell@bellsouth.net

Ernie Dawe, Vice-Chairperson
82138 Tahquitz Ave., Indio, CA 92201-3148
H)760-347-3287 F)760-347-4410 dawecraftboats@aol.com
Billy Allen, Sam Hemp,
Jeff Bernard, Mark Miskerik,
Bill Boyes, Scott Reed,
Patrick Gleason, Robin Shane
__________________

[Howie Nichols]

Jim,
I know it doesn't make sense but we checked the weight on 2 different scales, we also checked a known rig and it came out right??? The boat used to be one of Jillian David's that Nic Thompson had. If I had to guess this driver may be about 55 pounds (just a guess).

I understand your concern, I moved Becky up to AXS, I didn't think she was ready when we did it, but I also wanted her to have a good ride and have the chance at being competitive and also learn more. We were lucky she was old enough. I think the J class should cater more to the beginning, learning driver than the older more experienced.

We will always have exceptions, ie Logan, but in reality even though he had an awesome year, he is still a 2nd year driver that needs experience. If he learns to drive in the pack just think what he will accomplish in later years.

I guess I would be ok if the weight was increased by the difference in motor weight but that would be the only way I would go for it at this time, and only on rigs with a Merc.

[Richard Hearn]

There is no J Category and their certainly is no Chief J Inspector.

It seems to me, in reading the rule, the part must be from a 1999 motor or newer and it must be from a 15 engine.

Now if you use a motor leg from a 9.9 that has no part number or serial number on it and it meets all of the dimensions etc, is that legal? Answer is: NO! But, will you be DQ'ed? Probably not because it will be impossible to tell that it is not a 1999 or newer 15 HP part.

That's the way I look at it.

If that is the rule, then how do I tell if my block is 1999 or newer? How about my carburetor? I've spent countless hours on websites of Mercury and their dealers trying to figure out how to plug in a serial number to determine what the year is, to no avail.

BTW, the towers have serial numbers on them and years on them. The years typically show the manufacture data and the motor year (like cars, they aren't the same). One of my towers says 98 as the manufacture date, and 99 as the model year. Is this legal under your interpretation?

I suspect that if I win, someone will figure out how to figure out the year of the part. I'd like to know before I show up with the checkered flag...

[Richard Hearn]

Oh yea, I'd also like to have a formal interpretation on the rule also. Just because Ed interprets it as such, doesn't mean it is as such!!! (Ed, I think it would please a lot of folks if you and I have it out on this message board...) :-)

[Matt Dagostino]

Let's Rumble!

(Ed, I think it would please a lot of folks if you and I have it out on this message board...) :-)

My money is on Ed!

[Big Don]

Oh yea, I'd also like to have a formal interpretation on the rule also. Just because Ed interprets it as such, doesn't mean it is as such!!! (Ed, I think it would please a lot of folks if you and I have it out on this message board...) :-)

Richard, it doesn't have to be you and Ed... I think most just like it when anyone has it out with Ed.

[Kev43V]

There is no J Category and their certainly is no Chief J Inspector.

It seems to me, in reading the rule, the part must be from a 1999 motor or newer and it must be from a 15 engine.

Now if you use a motor leg from a 9.9 that has no part number or serial number on it and it meets all of the dimensions etc, is that legal? Answer is: NO! But, will you be DQ'ed? Probably not because it will be impossible to tell that it is not a 1999 or newer 15 HP part.

That's the way I look at it.

Well GEE... thats quite odd. I just double checked at the APBA official website. The very first.ah.. ah... GROUP of racers under the categories listing is the J's.
many references in the J minutes to the J category. What do you know that all those others do not Ed? inquiring minds really want to know. lol

[Team B&H]

Is this thread still about the issue to plane? I cant really tell...

However I have read through all of the posts and in only one post did i see the word prop or propeller used. Has anyone even thought about this? I know that it would be extremely expensive to redo this, but tell me all of you have considered this. Maybe? Just a little bit?

The weight issue is something I'd rather not get involved. I will mention though, when I was 11 I accomplished things that I strive to repeat every year. When I turned 12 and grew a little bit (over 120 lbs), everything started going downhill as far as speed simply because of my weight. But we lived with it (with an 89 lbs boat and a merc). I dont want to say how I feel about what is being proposed, just giving my experience...

That same year when I was 12 the 3-blades were introduced. My rig that won the nationals the year before couldnt plane off with our setup. Mind you, I was told countless times to get in the boat and try it, moving around in different places, this that and the other, to no avail. Im sure Mr. Allen can tell you how nice my ride was when we actually dropped the motor down far enough to get one on plane. Im fairly sure it was 32 mph with sponsons dragging. Thankfully everyone went back to the 2-blades a bit later in the year.

I know this will probably not be changed, I just want to add some thought on what may be the actual issue as far as being able to plane.

-Bill

[Howie Nichols]

Well GEE... thats quite odd. I just double checked at the APBA official website. The very first.ah.. ah... GROUP of racers under the categories listing is the J's.
many references in the J minutes to the J category. What do you know that all those others do not Ed? inquiring minds really want to know. lol

The group that manages the J classes is a committee appointed by the President of APBA. The classes are managed by this committee which is supervised and in some cases directed by the current BOD. The Committee is given alot of latitude to conduct business and it is called a "category" out of convenience more than anything else.

[Kev43V]

The group that manages the J classes is a committee appointed by the President of APBA. The classes are managed by this committee which is supervised and in some cases directed by the current BOD. The Committee is given alot of latitude to conduct business and it is called a "category" out of convenience more than anything else.

The point of my post is it seems rather silly to call someone out that the J's are not a category. When it is listed as a category on the official web site. Also is called a category by the committee members that oversee it AND by the B.O.D that oversees our entire organization. IF that is nitpicking (my words not yours) then to do the above is more so. It seems to much like I do not like the message so I will attack the messenger from the sideline where I stand.
now I am entirely done commenting on the whole J thing.
I am sure that will not break any hearts LOL
have a good day!

[14-H]

Category vs. Committee

Kevin: it is not nitpicking. The By Laws describe the categories of racing in the APBA and J is not one of them. J is a committee of the APBA Board of Directors which is why the committee and its Chairman are appointed by the APBA President. This is a difference that actually does make a difference in how the J Committee is constituted and how decisions are made affecting the J Classes. It is actually the APBA Board of Directors that that has the final say on the J Classes.

[Fast Jack]

Check part #s

If you look up the part #s for the 15 and the 9.9 you will see that most of the parts are the same # . The tuner , carb, decals and a few others differ . that is what makes a 15 higher horsepower. Now look at some of the pre 99 (black flywheel on 99 and newer) and you will find the same part#s on pre and post 99 motors. I got a new block from Merc and it has no serial # but is listed as a 2005 part #..