Future is Now

[bill boyes]

What is the norm except for the Nationals is a one heat elimination and a 2 heat final. Not only are we discussing ABCD class format but also more time on the water.

[PopPop]

Consi

I don't think someone would be eliminated in one heat. The whole point on this stucture is to combine classes and run more qualification heats before cutting to a max 12 boat feild (or whatever the race course size is). I think a 3 heat or 2 qual and 2 final would be appropriate in this style racing.

Whatever is done, with regard to a multi-heat format, just make sure everyone gets at least 2 heats. People, particularly newcomers, do not want to drive 4 plus hours to get next to no racing. Include a consi, to give people an extra ride and shot at the final final. If there are 2 elims, qualify 10 for final with 2 from consi. If there are 3 elims, qualify 9 (3 each) and 3 from consi.

[raceright]

Stock outboard HUH yea lets talk about stock outboard--the best boat builders and setup people in racing are heavy into stock outboard, Why do I say this--they are limited as to what they can do to engines and get there performance out of what they do to there boat.

Why am I so fustrated with stock outboard (DAVID SR. AND JR.) this is were the future of all boatracing is and our numbers dwindel every year. I believe the stockoutboard commission and chairman are obligated to help all boat racing buy doing what ever it takes to make entry into boatracing as easy as possible.

Simply helping the J class although admirable seems to help kids that would be in boat racing even if the J class was not there. Family entry is wounderful but not enought. Only the stock outboard category can help with the growth that we so desperatly need. Good people, yes,accomplished abilities,yes knowledge of boats, yes. I can not say enough good things about stockoutboarders although I rib my friends all the time.

The comission meets for a weekend to help with the upcoming year,and more often than not spend to much time on arguing about what engine can run were. Guys maybe you should meet at least once a week till you come up with a plan to help APBA with strong growth and increased membership.

Those that will say what do you know your classes do not have alot of boats.
Well I do not think two many people will aquire a Pro rig to enter boatracing and especialy a 700 hydro or 500 runabout. Pro does not require alot of boats as was seen at Hartford this month and the old stigma of engine failure is greatly reduced. But as with all highly modified engines there is much failure. But most do not start racing in Pro,Opc offshore,inboard, unlimited.
This is stockoutboards obligation to APBA and when voting for a commissioner you should remember this.

Pat Wright
Pro Commissioner
USTS Director

[Mike Beegle]

Stock outboard HUH yea lets talk about stock outboard--the best boat builders and setup people in racing are heavy into stock outboard, Why do I say this--they are limited as to what they can do to engines and get there performance out of what they do to there boat.

Why am I so fustrated with stock outboard (DAVID SR. AND JR.) this is were the future of all boatracing is and our numbers dwindel every year. I believe the stockoutboard commission and chairman are obligated to help all boat racing buy doing what ever it takes to make entry into boatracing as easy as possible.

Simply helping the J class although admirable seems to help kids that would be in boat racing even if the J class was not there. Family entry is wounderful but not enought. Only the stock outboard category can help with the growth that we so desperatly need. Good people, yes,accomplished abilities,yes knowledge of boats, yes. I can not say enough good things about stockoutboarders although I rib my friends all the time.

The comission meets for a weekend to help with the upcoming year,and more often than not spend to much time on arguing about what engine can run were. Guys maybe you should meet at least once a week till you come up with a plan to help APBA with strong growth and increased membership.

Those that will say what do you know your classes do not have alot of boats.
Well I do not think two many people will aquire a Pro rig to enter boatracing and especialy a 700 hydro or 500 runabout. Pro does not require alot of boats as was seen at Hartford this month and the old stigma of engine failure is greatly reduced. But as with all highly modified engines there is much failure. But most do not start racing in Pro,Opc offshore,inboard, unlimited.
This is stockoutboards obligation to APBA and when voting for a commissioner you should remember this.

Pat Wright
Pro Commissioner
USTS Director

Finally some understands the BIG PICTURE...

[csh12M]

Cafinee high wearing off...

I am coming down from my mornings coffee buzz.....but I still think the format is a good idea.

94H I do not think you have to raise entry fees. As I have noted several times you could get through the all Stock format with 40 heats, 60 would allow three days of racing for two in all classes.

As for racing with MODS which we do at almost every race around the country.... with only 20 Stock Heats a day you could run all the Stocks. It would actually pull racers to the MOD heavy events. IOA would be able to run every Stock class each day at their races. It would only be 20 heats, and if D stocks were not there it is 16!

This format would benefit almost everyone including MODS.

So who would it hurt...

It would hurt the pure 25SSH racer, because we would need a restrictor package that would pull it within CSH speed and that is a big drop. Top 25SSH go 72 top CSH speed is 67.5-68

It would hurt someone who races BSH and 20SSH most notably that I can think of Tim Sidor

It would hurt someone who has a dedicated 25SSR rig and CSR rig. Tim Ross, Joe Pater

It could hurt Sidewinder, they would only have two motor variants to sell instead of three. However, that could be a good thing, it is a small operation and the two motors they would sell could actually compete. I believe they would sell more, definitely quicker than they are now. I would be interested in how they would feel about this.

That is all I can think of....maybe 25 racers effected.

Who does it benefit....everyone else. It could and would help with every other negative issue that is brought up on this site. From race day length, to boat time, to combination of Stock and MOD to number of entries.

Cmon, really, shoot some holes in this give it to me, why wont it work?

I am going to float it out within my own club this weekend. I will provide feedback next week. If the majority of the club thinks it is a good idea I am willing to try and make it happen. If they do not, I am out of answers...

If the interest continues through the weekend and into next week, I can set up a conference call and we can discuss it nationally. I think the time if finally right to make something happen.

CSH12M
Dean

[csh2z]

Unfortunately it seems, Regions 6 & 7 now must be seeing the reduction in participation that many other Regions have had for years. Hopefully now we will begin to make the changes necessary to keep this thing going for another generation or two.

[csh12M]

No more feedback then this...

This is it...

No other feedback,

Cmon Hearn, Holt, Runne, Miskerik, Kelly, Bahl, Periman, Sidor, Wheeler, Warnock, Burdick, Allens

What would you think?

OR...does nobody care?

[B Walker]

Take it easy Dean. The silly season starts early here on Hydroracer and doesnt end till the National meeting.

Dont use up all your gas in the first week

As far as entry fees go for your proposal. I agree they may not go up much on a per entry basis, but total out-of-pocket for a race weekend will.

Yes, I get that the racer gets more bang for the buck, especially in the 3 heat format. But we should be transparent in the expectations for joe average boat racer.

I firmly believe that the situation we are in has been created by commissioners protecting their own self interest and that of the people that elected them. Thats fine. Thats politics.

How can things be changed so that commisioners have the future of Stock Outboard racing in mind rather than a bunch of "Trailer Box Protectors" as Matt D said.

If you fix that, you have gone a long way to fixing the big picture.

Hint: I think a region re-alignment is long overdue.

Brad Walker

[csh2z]

I think that plan would work.It's a step in the right direction. Give some time to digest and shoot holes in it. Get whatever feedback you can in person at races. Ask people direct questions about they're vision for the future, one on one. I'll do the same at our races.

[sam]

Entry fees need to go up to the $40-$50 range regardless, clubs' budgets are race to race as it is ... lucky to keep the year end balance within $100 of the start balance.

The cost of gas and tow vehicles has doubled while entry fees have stayed the same. If you can afford that HUGE new SUV or pickup ... don't complain about helping out your club with another $100 ... you spent more than that on the trim package upgrade on your tow vehicle

[PopPop]

I appreciate the thoughts of the Pro Commissioner but Stock/Mod racers are looking to race a bit more than the 6 or so races a year that the "Pros" race a-la-USTS. About the only other time I see pros is as an add-on to a Stock/Mod race. And, who has the time or money, in Stocks, to "meet every week" until they have a solution. There are some great ideas floated here in this thread. Let's hope the Sock and Mod commissioners have the wisdom to put together something sensible and not the CAMEL, THAT IS A HORSE DESIGNED BY A COMMITTEE. THEY COULDN'T DECIDE ON ONE HUMP OR TWO, SO THEY MADE BOTH.

With best wishes for the future, Phil Doerle (PopPop)

[Charlie Pater]

Dean - Just for your info. Back when I was running 25ssh restricted, our speed was 72 mph.

Charlie

[raceright]

I appreciate the thoughts of the Pro Commissioner but Stock/Mod racers are looking to race a bit more than the 6 or so races a year that the "Pros" race a-la-USTS. About the only other time I see pros is as an add-on to a Stock/Mod race. And, who has the time or money, in Stocks, to "meet every week" until they have a solution. There are some great ideas floated here in this thread. Let's hope the Sock and Mod commissioners have the wisdom to put together something sensible and not the CAMEL, THAT IS A HORSE DESIGNED BY A COMMITTEE. THEY COULDN'T DECIDE ON ONE HUMP OR TWO, SO THEY MADE BOTH.

With best wishes for the future, Phil Doerle (PopPop)

Of course running Pro will reduce your number of races--no question. For me
6 races is enough. The traveling alone is very taxing but those who can do.

I do not expect those who do not race Pro to understand as to why some do and thats ok, Opc,offshore,inboard,unlimited,jet ski's (one I realy do not understand) everyone has there own reasons,American way.

That is just another reason I and several others put on the Hartford race,so there will be more exposure to the Pro's(alkies for you pop pop) in the noprtheast .
There is also a great deal more time required between races rebuilding of units, powerheads and so on that must be done to stay running and competive.
IF THERE WAS 15 TO 20 PRO races a year along about 10 there would not be any equiptment left. Another reason that starting racing in pro is not viable.
Very few Pro engines would run 10 USTS races without new bearings being installed on the crankshaft. Thats about 40 heats counting testing..200 minutes--most engine MFG recommend only 60 min on a crank.

As far as the stock commission having time or money to come up with a solution when elected they can always refuse. I know every week is not doable but twice a year is not helping. And for any of you who have not been to a National meeting believe me there is not enought time at this meeting to solve much.

Pat Wright

[raceright]

I think that plan would work.It's a step in the right direction. Give some time to digest and shoot holes in it. Get whatever feedback you can in person at races. Ask people direct questions about they're vision for the future, one on one. I'll do the same at our races.

Just thought I would mention something here I usually end up talking to John at the national meeting and guys listen to him he has the intrest of APBA and stock outboard as his #1 priority and plenty of good ideas. Go get them John.

Pat Wright

[Howie Nichols]

Dean,
I also like and support the concept and I am also considering running for the SO Commission this year in Region 5.