Future is Now

[dholt]

Because that other thread about OMC AX restrictors was so hijacked, it deserved a spin-off.

First step to move forward with kneel down boat racing (not including PRO) is the combination of the Stock/Mod/J category.

We are all one entity...virtually all clubs putting on weekend races run Stock, Mod, J. Even MHRA does it, with exception of 3 of 5 races. And they may be heading down the full path soon based on economics.

What affects one category affects the other. We are tied together at the hip. Many drivers race both Stock and Mod equipment. It only makes sense to pool resources and start from the ground floor.

All this talk about engines, parity, reducing classes, making certain motors the "choice" will get us nowhere until we recognize the big picture.

Inboard has "stock" and "mod" classes within its category. No reason kneeldown racing cannot either. New category name....Sportsman Outboard Racing.

Develop a class structure...combine classes by moving engines around.

Get down to about 12-13 classes plus J Hydro and J Runabout.

Recognize the importance of new equipment and find a place for it. Same for old equipment. Keep in mind...where would Stock Outboard be RIGHT NOW if we were still running the KG4 Merc in 'A' and trying to acheive parity with the OMC? Are you kidding me? Introducing that engine, the 102/302 and Merc 44xs were the best moves the SORC made in the past 50 years.

Don't come out of the room until it's done.

I'll throw my hat in the ring for Region 6 Commissioner. My platform is clear. The business model must change. If it was working currently, we would not be having this discussion.

Dana

[BP125V]

ditto

I agree with Dana and will be running for region 7 commissioner.

Bill

[csh12M]

Future?

See posts from ASX restricor post....

Richard, your post on combination makes great sense. I am in complete agreement. Lets discuss it this weekend. If we can work out the format I will present it to MHRA for consideration. My only tweak is, lets run the classes twice on Sat., 40 heats and once on Sunday 20 Heats. Everyone gets on the road Sunday by 3:00, and raced three times for the weekend!

Bill, your post on supporting your club is spot on. I can not believe the effect that a West Coast Nationals caused on our local racing this year! West Coasters dont shoot the messanger, I believe you need the left coast nats. I am just pointing out a fact. We have put so much emphasis on the HOC and the Nationals that a segment of our club does not race if they know they are not going to Nats. "Freakenomics" is a book that discusses how incentives modify behavior. Maybe if the highpoints governed the HOC and 1US more strongly local entries would not suffer. Speaking on this point how many policy decisions at the National meeting turn to HOC and National title discussions. We are so afraid of who may or may not have a better shot at a title or the HOC that may common sense proposals die on the vine. Everyone needs to see the forest through the trees. It is not about the HOC right now or who has a better shot next year it is about survival. I have been Commodore of MHRA for the last six years, I am out of answers, I don't know where to go or what to do to make the $ work.

[B Walker]

Dont stop there.

How about a complete restructuring of the Region representation? Right now just 2 regions represent 50% of all J, Stock, and Mod racers.

We have regions with no racers in it at all and a few others with just 1 or 2.

I propose just 3, 4, or 5 regions adjusted every few years to maintain a roughly equal membership representation.

Also, dont forget the Marathon Division into the combined J, SO, Mod Division.

Brad Walker

[BP125V]

Dean

I PM'd you

Bill

[bill boyes]

Seems to me that many of our membership want to change success and do nothing about failure. Our Region 11 race entries are way down in numbers. The clubs are taking about dropping some events in 2011. It is not due to the AX restrictor size it is about expendable income.

[B1PRORACER]

Everyone is in agreement about too many classes. That is until it is THEIR class that gets eliminated! Talk about eliminating the OMC A engine in your plan and you will certianly hear a lot of complaining! Whatever equipment you either eliminate or render non-competitive will cause many people to stop racing. It is a fact that you will loose people.
In part, the situation is the way it is because of the fear of loosing people and the impact of what it will do to our sport. Classes with two boats and a step-up is still entry fee money coming into the clubs.... and some of us we really don't want to loose those friends.

[BP125V]

Omc

I do not think there is a mention in the above plan to eliminate the OMC.
But rather a proposal to put all kneel down racing (minus PRO) under one umbrella so we are all moving forward with one plan - ie a place for new engines to race and a place for older engines to race.
Bill

[sam]

We have met the enemy and he is us.

[Matt Dagostino]

Great thought...........

Because that other thread about OMC AX restrictors was so hijacked, it deserved a spin-off.

First step to move forward with kneel down boat racing (not including PRO) is the combination of the Stock/Mod/J category.

We are all one entity...virtually all clubs putting on weekend races run Stock, Mod, J. Even MHRA does it, with exception of 3 of 5 races. And they may be heading down the full path soon based on economics.

What affects one category affects the other. We are tied together at the hip. Many drivers race both Stock and Mod equipment. It only makes sense to pool resources and start from the ground floor.

Get down to about 12-13 classes plus J Hydro and J Runabout.



Dana

My stepdad who started me racing a couple decades ago (Bill Kneeland) always felt one day all the kneel down classes would be ONE!!

The question is how do you merge the politics of four cataglories if you count the alkys (oops, i meant PRO'S)..................at the last SORC meeting in Seattle the SORC voted to seperate the 2012 Nationals away from the Mod's to give Grass Lake the bid and left Whitney Point who wanted both divisions Nationals together out in the cold. Talk about working together! Ha.

I believe we are one division effectively now and soon will have one combined Commission and a class structue like Dana pointed out!! The sooner the better!

[PopPop]

My 2 cents, Good Idea.!!

[bill boyes]

I recall several years ago that the SORC and the Mod Commissions came very close to merging. Do not remember the year but Bill Breaux was the Mod Chairman at the time.
Question 1. Why did the APBA BOD place the Junior Class under a Committee appointed by the President?
Question 2. Was this a good or bad decision for the Junior Class?

I fully agree we have too many classes with too few boats in each class.

[Big Don]

Question 1. Why did the APBA BOD place the Junior Class under a Committee appointed by the President?

I'm guessing so they had control so we (whoever we would have been) didn't screw it up.

Question 2. Was this a good or bad decision for the Junior Class?

I think it was a bad decision on the SORC part but I think it was a good decision based on the growth of that catagory.

Oh wait...were those rhetorical questions?

[bill boyes]

I was just pointing out to those who want the Junior class back into an elected Commission SORC/Mod I do not think it is a good idea
Again why screw with success. Lets work on our failures. We seem to continue to do with same with failures and expect a different result.

[Dave M]

One Opinion Leads to Many

While I agree for the most part, the logistics are a nightmare. The MHRA races in a lot of spots the Mods can't, so if the categories combine, they must find new locations to race that allow the enw category to race as it is. If you don't do that, you are shooting yourself in the foot, and the change is not neceassary. Same goes for all the other regions. You must race where ALL engines as they are can race. No leaving out. And no, you won't convince the Mod guys to eliminate the 44's noise. I tried that several years agao and it was met with much resistance.

Here is the catch, and I am going to step on some toes I am sure. So be it. Like I haven't already done that. I get stepped on all the time, my turn. You need to LEAVE the Mod classes alone. It works. Do not try to put stock rules into Modified. You WILL drive the core bunch away, guranteed. It is already leaning that way with some of the current ideas and such. You start restricting the Mods or placing height limits on them, you are playing with fire. Don't burn yourself. I am one who will leave in a heartbeat if this happens. Mod has another organization that understands all this. It is not a big loss to watch APBA shoot itself in the foot if they choose to do so with the Mods. Besides, the insurance is better coverage and cheaper on the other side.

That is about all I can say, you need to tread lightly and come up with a model that is the least offensive. Remember, you are going to have to revoke accepted bids on nationals and NAC's and Divisionals if we combine. That is the problem with having bids accepted for the next upteen years. Makes change kind of hard.