Future is Now

[Haüenstein]

Another way

I had a conversation with my dad last night that went something like this:

Fred: "We should let the more popular classes race more and encourage people to get their friends into those classes."
Mike: "That's great, Dad. Is Mom home?"

But it got me thinking. Here are a few hypothetical scenarios to consider:


Scenario 1

Classes with 8 or More Boats >> Race is based on three heats
Classes with 6 or 7 Boats >> Race is based on two heats
Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats >> Race is based on one heat

Two or more Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats can be combined to run two heats, with the race committee’s approval, and to be scored separately.

The basic goal is to incentivize stronger heat racing for both the driver and the conducting club. For the driver, this means increased seat time for the same cost in entry fees. For the club, this means increasing the average revenue PER HEAT despite running more heats in some classes.

For example, let’s assume an entry fee of$25 per class. Currently, a four-boat race equates to a revenue of $100 over two heats, or $50 revenue per heat. Under the new system, that would jump to $100 per heat in revenue. But one-heat racing is not the goal—we’ve incentivized running races with more boats. So those four boats sign up their buddies to get six boats and run two heats. That is an increase in overall revenue of $50 for the club, and equates to revenue of $75 per heat, eclipsing the previous $50 per heat figure. If there are eight boats in a class ($200 in entry fees), that’s equivalent to $67 per heat in revenue, even though you’re now running three heats.

The benefit for the spectator is simple: more exciting heats and fewer boring heats.

Over time, this should attract racers to the stronger classes.

Also:

Classes with 13 or More Boats >> Race is based on five heats (2 Elims, 1 Consolation, 2-Heat Finals)


Scenario 2

Classes with 10 or More Boats get a second sanction day’s racing for free (or $5 or something). More bang for your buck, encourages entries and rewards participation in larger classes. Combine with one-heat racing for Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats.


Scenario 3

Modified Category adds a new class: Formula 500CC. Same rules as 500CCMH but with a stock exhaust system, gearcase and tower housing, and 3/4" height restriction. By 2012 the five most popular classes in Stock/Modified racing are 200CCMH, 200CCMR, Formula 500CCH, 500CCMH and 750CCMH, with Formula 500CCR, 750CCMR and 850CCMH also acting as “premier” classes. A typical race would schedule J Classes/Modified. It's purely coincidence that most of those are my classes....


A penny for your thoughts.

Mike(y)

[BP125V]

very interesting

We HAVE to figure out ways to have full fields on the water, this is a clever way of doing it.

I really like scenarios 1 and 2, but I'm not sure where you are going with #3.

Great thoughts though Mike, keep them coming.

Bill

[Kev43V]

Someone posted we must market to our core:
I feel that is the only place we have marketed too since the factories quit marketing this sport to the masses for us. Yes it is imperative to retain the C.O.R.E (Current Outboard Racing Enthusiast) If it were not for that C.O.R.E people like me would not have had a sport to join in the early 2000's.
We throw lots of reasons and even excuses around as to why our numbers are stagnant.
The Economy:
Sure this has an impact, both in the numbers of races some of the CORE can attend. It also impacts the number of potential newbies.
But as THE reason for our numbers? It is mostly an excuse. I say that for 2 reasons 1. look at the success of the driving schools. both regional and the national schools have had to turn people down for the lack of spots. this PROVES interest in our sport from outsiders. 2 look at the number of first time competitors in the last two years. Both are up from at least when I started in this sport.
Retention of new racers:
I feel great progress has been made in this area. Why? because many heritage racers are investing their time to a greater degree in helping out those newbies at least attain middle of the pack speeds. This is priceless in the long run.
I feel WE as racers have to work harder at getting more butts in boats.
I can say NEW equipment in a showroom setting on site at our races does trigger spectator interest. And I can say that while never having the volume of equipment that I feel is best. Yet just the new Merc brought in leads. Why? because they(spectators) start asking questions and thinking about THEIR butt in a boat.
I am not for or against combining Mod and Stock. I think it is more of a shell game of shifting cause and effect. Yet fundamentally it will do nothing as far as addressing the real issue of getting novice butts in boats. Although it might help address the four boat parades. but will it? only if we the racers make it happen and we can do that without combining.
As a racer, Did you ask a friend to go to the races with you this year?
As a racer , Did you take the time to answer questions of the guy at the gas station that asked where the Remote control stuff goes on that big RC boat on your trailer? and is it electric or gas?( lol we really did get asked those questions)
more later:
But I have to say I have seen more positives in the last two years than all of my other years combined. Granted 2004 was my first year of any races and I think I only ran 2 that year.

[dholt]

Hey Mike, those are some interesting ideas and a progressive way to look at things.

I like proposal #1 the best.

There are some serious issues with combining classes at race sites, all of which our club has encountered. I don't empathize with some of these reasons...just have experienced them.

1. Guys run multiple classes and are often running 2 that are to be combined, thereby eliminating one of their rides. They raise holy h#ll.

2. Often there is no safe combination for a class. ie...where do you put 4 DMR's if the only other runabout class in attendance is ASR?

3. I have had guys proclaim..."I'll just scratch if I only get 1 heat".

4. Drivers protest running combined...saying the slightly bigger boats they are combined with make water too rough or unsafe.

All in all I like your idea and its got merit.

[DiGia54D]

Proposal 1 is a good idea, But from what I have seen since our economy really crapped out is races being held the same weekend. Over the past 3 years I know from my place in CT. There have been multiple times that there have been 2 or 3 races at the same time within 5-9 hours driving time. So that waters down entrys also. Maybe clubs for a year or 2 can compair schedules so they dont conflict. So instead of 4 20ssh at one race you might have 6-8. Just an idea

[csh2z]

Dana, I'm with you, but you already knew that.
From the other thread - Dean you are correct on all accounts.
Wayne, Putting on more local races is the most important thing we can do to grow. I drive 8 - 10 hrs. for most of my racing and never have to ask myself why I haven't been able to bring somebody local into the sport.
Richard Hearn - I agree with you?........yup!

Region 4 Stockers come to the region 4 meeting and vote for your commissioner.

My campaign slogan is "PH__K Matt, VOTE FOR JOHN!!!!!!


( joking Matt.)

[sam]

issues with combining classes at race sites, all of which our club has encountered. I don't empathize with some of these reasons...just have experienced them.

1. Guys run multiple classes and are often running 2 that are to be combined, thereby eliminating one of their rides. They raise holy h#ll.
2. Often there is no safe combination for a class. ie...where do you put 4 DMR's if the only other runabout class in attendance is ASR?
3. I have had guys proclaim..."I'll just scratch if I only get 1 heat".
4. Drivers protest running combined...saying the slightly bigger boats they are combined with make water too rough or unsafe.

All in all I like your idea and its got merit.

No matter what we do there will be selfish people who only think of themselves. Its rare that we find these people being the first to sign up for patrol boat or judges stand work as well.

[Gunjumper]

I like it Mikey... This would certainly funnel drivers into the popular classes which looks better for the spectators and gives each man more seat time. This also lets people get away from their motors that are becoming obsolete on their own, not because the commission says so. How does this idea make its way to Detroit? I support it. Greg

[Racerkyle20]

I'm diggin' where this thread is going. Region 10 already combines classes to make room for the race schedule. But changing the structure of stock/MOD to get bigger classes sizes will help outboard racing.

BTW we have had multiple races up here with 16 CSH's at local races. Let's say we get ride of 20ssh (hypithetical) and combine them with CSH. might gain 4-6 more. 20 CSH. run 2 qual. 2 final. like nationals. 12 boats in final. Same with Ax and A. I think a model like that could work to our advantage in getting nebbie's as well. (never heard anyone say i want to race the 3 boat class).

[csh2z]

Market the sport to people that can afford to support it. If you think $8,000. for a new rig is too much, you probably can't afford to race competitively anyway. The future is not about 30 year veterans or 30 year old motors. We need to attract new people with disposable income and offer them new available equipment. The reality is, many of us current racers that grew up in this sport would not be able to afford to race if we had to start from scratch like a new racer.
I'll continue in another post later. Gotta work.

[csh12M]

Ok how about this...

Ok, here is a class structure for Stock. I am under the assumption that the two categories are not going to combine. I think they should but, for the moment I am working on paring down the Stock side.

ASR and ASH-racing OMC and Sidewinders

eliminate the current 13 cc Hot Rod rotary valve and Sidewinder motor class

BSR and BSH-racing the current rotary valve Hot Rod, but back at 12cc, and the 20 Sidewinder and the Yamato 80, I could go either way on also including the restricted 302.

CSR and CSH - For CSR you combine 25SSR and CSR as all legal CSR rigs. If you want to run lighter you run the restrictor. Include the MERC, but with the restrictor back into it and maybe a height restriction, or eliminate the MERC all together. I could go either way on that one. CSH stays the same, include the MERC with a restriction package.

DSH and DSR. Personally I think MOD offers a better package here. However, if we were going to keep it in Stock we keep it as is.

Add your JH and JR with whatever the J committee deems the class to race. Run AXH and AXR with the ASH and ASR at the local level.

- Everyone still has a place to race every current motor
- Selling to a new guy we can position a new motor for every class
- Selling to a new guy we can position a used motor in every class
- The program would be 20 heats 3.5-4 hours
- We could run all classes 3 times over two days

We sell new A Sidewinders for the A class
We sell new B (20 cub.) Sidewinders for the B class
We sell 302 for the C class
We sell Tohotsu for the D class

This program would only shake up the current HOT RODs and MERCs and maybe some 25 drivers. All would still have a place to race their rig. However, we would be effecting only the smallest classes.

I would envision trying to run the whole program twice on Saturday 40 heats and once on Sunday. Get people on the road by 3PM.

Ok let me have it....why wont this format work?

[reed28n]

Campaign Problem

Market the sport to people that can afford to support it. If you think $8,000. for a new rig is too much, you probably can't afford to race competitively anyway. The future is not about 30 year veterans or 30 year old motors. We need to attract new people with disposable income and offer them new available equipment. The reality is, many of us current racers that grew up in this sport would not be able to afford to race if we had to start from scratch like a new racer.
I'll continue in another post later. Gotta work.

That kind of talk will never get you elected. What I discovered: those people who are 30 year veterans with 30 year old motors are voters that defend what they have now and are not focused on the future.

They are like Government employees with 3 years left to retirement. "Don't change anything I am almost done."

Until the people that support ideas to move forward set some testing time and go faster time aside go get involved politically we will not have the right people in office to move us forward. We cannot get Regional racers to look past what they think is working now in the short term or rick what they currently have to seize the opportunity for growth and success in the future.

If we had 100 new members that were able to place votes they would agree with any plan to improve. Our current membership make up is defending what they have for the here and now.

I truly appreciate the volunteers that take their own time at their own expense to get involved, but I have witnessed 180 degree shifts with the exact same members of the commission. At the National Meeting the direction of the commission can be changed swiftly. It is an open meeting and everyone in the room can see how you vote. Votes will move from yes to no and no to yes quickly, it all depends on the mood in the room.

Scott

[reed28n]

Dean 12M

Dean, that class structure is hauntingly familiar. Are you trying to get shot?

[immulmen]

Market the sport to people that can afford to support it. If you think $8,000. for a new rig is too much, you probably can't afford to race competitively anyway. The future is not about 30 year veterans or 30 year old motors. We need to attract new people with disposable income and offer them new available equipment. The reality is, many of us current racers that grew up in this sport would not be able to afford to race if we had to start from scratch like a new racer.
I'll continue in another post later. Gotta work.

"We need to attract new people with disposable income and offer them new available equipment."

I agree with this BUT.

"If you think $8,000. for a new rig is too much, you probably can't afford to race competitively anyway" [This is exactly what we where told]

Before my son and I thought about racing I bought this really cool race motor on Craigslist for an old BSR for fun on the lakes. Less then $600 shipped to my door. I knew nothing about how to set it up and in my quest for information Fast Jack told us that the 102 was still raced and he knew where we could get a used boat for $1000 rigged. My son got the boat and we had the crank and gear foot worked on and I put the power head together. Including 1 prop we had around $2200 in the boat. I do believe we where lucky to put this together so cheep. During testing at Standish last year Billy Allen took it out and it was faster then his boat and he had tried 3 or 4 props on his.
We only had 1 boat, 1 motor, 1 prop and it was competitive. Did he win? Once due to gun jumpers. Did a faster boat help? Probably. Did he beat Billy Allan? NO! That takes experience.
My point is you don't NEED $8,000.
Chris Jordan

[Haüenstein]

I like it Miley...

Hi Greg,

I'll work on it some more and even go through the proper channels(!)—taking into account factors like when a race course won't handle 12/10/8/whatever number of boats at a time, as well as championship races, etc.—if you can give me some reasonable assurance that Miley won't stick as a nickname.

Thanks!
Mikey