Save stock outboard - vote no on proposal 6

[26V]

Thanks Matt,
I thought it was sooner then that.

[jevans47w]

Michigan vs Wisconsin mini series

I've often wondered why this sort of thing isn't being done. I started racing in 2004 and remember going to Grass Lake in 05 or 06 with 17W. There was around 160 entries if I remember correctly and it was awesome. If each of our clubs had 3/4 turnout at a combined event along with a few out of area travellers, we would have eliminations in many classes. We could start off by having each area host one race along with the Divisionals to get a three race series. Come up with some creative prizes/raffles for the series winner of each class; props, $, whatever. Make all drivers eligible for these prizes to encourage travel from the out of region drivers. I think it would be a win-win for both clubs. Another thought is to have Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin each host one race and get more clubs involved with as minimal travel as possible. I can't speak for Indiana (because I'm not familliar with their race locations), but the rest of us all have multiple options for race sites that aren't far from each other. What do the rest of you think?

[Islandmon]

Jon, I love the idea if not for anything else it's change of pace that would add to the excitement of the weekend. In a perfect world it would be nice to parley this type of event with some basic marketing principles and get the host community to buy into it. MHRA has done a great job in cultivating a win win relationship with the village of Grass LK Mi, not a bad model to expand on or follow.

Sam,

[B Walker]

I've often wondered why this sort of thing isn't being done. I started racing in 2004 and remember going to Grass Lake in 05 or 06 with 17W. There was around 160 entries if I remember correctly and it was awesome. If each of our clubs had 3/4 turnout at a combined event along with a few out of area travellers, we would have eliminations in many classes. We could start off by having each area host one race along with the Divisionals to get a three race series. Come up with some creative prizes/raffles for the series winner of each class; props, $, whatever. Make all drivers eligible for these prizes to encourage travel from the out of region drivers. I think it would be a win-win for both clubs. Another thought is to have Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin each host one race and get more clubs involved with as minimal travel as possible. I can't speak for Indiana (because I'm not familliar with their race locations), but the rest of us all have multiple options for race sites that aren't far from each other. What do the rest of you think?

Here is the short answer to your question:

Because it takes alot of effort and money to market, promote, gather resources (prizes), count points, and hold an awards ceremony.

Long answer:

Series racing is what happens when national competition becomes impossible financially.

Better said, series racing is a response to the situation when local races can no longer afford to put on an event with only regional participation.

The only question in my mind is how long until this happens.

Simple and easy solution:

Copy Lochavens "Dash for Cash". It requires little planning or promotion. Yes, it only promotes one class but the people that show up to run that event almost always bring more than one rig which increases overall participation.

The hook: Whoever wins it gets their picture on the next years t-shirt for Lochhaven. Some would say thats better than the $1000+ cash prize.

BW

[Merc1]

Sometimes I wonder?

Here is the short answer to your question:

Because it takes alot of effort and money to market, promote, gather resources (prizes), count points, and hold an awards ceremony.

Long answer:

Series racing is what happens when national competition becomes impossible financially.

Better said, series racing is a response to the situation when local races can no longer afford to put on an event with only regional participation.

The only question in my mind is how long until this happens.

Simple and easy solution:

Copy Lochavens "Dash for Cash". It requires little planning or promotion. Yes, it only promotes one class but the people that show up to run that event almost always bring more than one rig which increases overall participation.

The hook: Whoever wins it gets their picture on the next years t-shirt for Lochhaven. Some would say thats better than the $1000+ cash prize.

BW

I don't think you get the point of his post.......

[B Walker]

The origial poster clearly stated:

I've often wondered why this sort of thing isn't being done.

I anwsered that.

Then responded addressing the original posters points concerning "increased participation" and "encourage travel" and "clubs involved".

Then gave a constructive suggestion for a successful race series that could be copied that did not involve the costs or commitment of what the original poster was suggesting.

What did I miss?

Please educate me. If you have a different interpretation of what the original poster was trying to say then I think everyone here would like to hear it.

Maybe the original poster could weigh in to clarify?

BW

Maybe this should be a seperate thread from the Proposal 6 yes/no thread?

[Haüenstein]

Mays

I've often wondered why this sort of thing isn't being done. I started racing in 2004 and remember going to Grass Lake in 05 or 06 with 17W. There was around 160 entries if I remember correctly and it was awesome. If each of our clubs had 3/4 turnout at a combined event along with a few out of area travellers, we would have eliminations in many classes. We could start off by having each area host one race along with the Divisionals to get a three race series. Come up with some creative prizes/raffles for the series winner of each class; props, $, whatever. Make all drivers eligible for these prizes to encourage travel from the out of region drivers. I think it would be a win-win for both clubs. Another thought is to have Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin each host one race and get more clubs involved with as minimal travel as possible. I can't speak for Indiana (because I'm not familliar with their race locations), but the rest of us all have multiple options for race sites that aren't far from each other. What do the rest of you think?

Maybe someone who remembers the Mid-America Yamato Series will chime in. I can't remember what they had for prizes, but they had T-shirts.

[dholt]

Series racing

Brad is correct. Series racing is the natural progression of things once local clubs/regions can no longer sustain viable events. ie...OPC, PRO and to a certain extent Inboard have all gone that way.

I, for one, would love to race at events with some more "juice" behind them.

Who can get jacked up for a 60-75 boat event? 4-5 boat fields? Really?

I'd rather go to 5 big races a year plus the Nationals than 7-8 small ones. Prizes/money doesn't matter. Just the satisfaction of beating a **** good field of boats is enough.

There are many who believe Series racing is NOT a good thing and can spell out their reasons why.

With the price of travel...seems like going to fewer events is the norm now anyway. OK...let's schedule fewer events and what is left is "must attend" races.

[Matt Dagostino]

Logistics Maybe?

I've often wondered why this sort of thing isn't being done. I started racing in 2004 and remember going to Grass Lake in 05 or 06 with 17W. There was around 160 entries if I remember correctly and it was awesome. If each of our clubs had 3/4 turnout at a combined event along with a few out of area travellers, we would have eliminations in many classes. We could start off by having each area host one race along with the Divisionals to get a three race series. Come up with some creative prizes/raffles for the series winner of each class; props, $, whatever. Make all drivers eligible for these prizes to encourage travel from the out of region drivers. I think it would be a win-win for both clubs. Another thought is to have Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin each host one race and get more clubs involved with as minimal travel as possible. I can't speak for Indiana (because I'm not familliar with their race locations), but the rest of us all have multiple options for race sites that aren't far from each other. What do the rest of you think?

Hey John
My 2 cents is that Stock Outboarding has histotically focused on Region racing and only going outside of one's club/Region when necessary. As in the Divisionals or Nationals.

Even today with clubs losing races and the economy being bad, seems drivers are reluctant to travel outside of one's region. My impression of Michigan and Wisconsin has historically been that their is so much strength in MHRA and Badger State that making the long trip to visit each others races wasn't logical with the number of races each region/club hosted. Butttttt, with the sagging economy and the financial issues APBA clubs face today, formats like you suggest are becoming more and more appealing!!

In the mid-atlantic area where i live we have the luxury of being within 5 hours of Regions 1,2,3,4,6 and a couple more hours puts us in region 5. Often times Val and i pic and choose what races we want to go to on a given weekend since sometimes races are conflicting on the same weekend and we may go 3 hours to say Millville, NJ or 5 hours to Taber City, NC.

The idea of a 'super race' or mini series is cool and will attract enteries but it usually falls on one or two people doing all the work and where do you find those one or two people nowadays!!.......it is a great idea though! Just look at the spark the Merc Challenge and the Dash for Cash type 'super races' gave many of us over the years. While Region racing is the backbone of our sport, a few killer 'super races' like Dana points out are cool and brings the big dogs all together !!

[Merc1]

I understand his post this way, We could pick one of our currently scheduled races and brand it a "SERIES" race. BSOA, MRC, MHRA, would each host a "SERIES" race with a little extra incentive. Maybe the prize is being known as the best in the midwest for your particular class. No EXTRA WORK no EXTRA EFFORT just about FUN! Besides we race for points, or do we?

[raceright]

Brad is correct. Series racing is the natural progression of things once local clubs/regions can no longer sustain viable events. ie...OPC, PRO and to a certain extent Inboard have all gone that way.

I, for one, would love to race at events with some more "juice" behind them.

Who can get jacked up for a 60-75 boat event? 4-5 boat fields? Really?

I'd rather go to 5 big races a year plus the Nationals than 7-8 small ones. Prizes/money doesn't matter. Just the satisfaction of beating a **** good field of boats is enough.

There are many who believe Series racing is NOT a good thing and can spell out their reasons why.

With the price of travel...seems like going to fewer events is the norm now anyway. OK...let's schedule fewer events and what is left is "must attend" races.

Lets see,series huh USTS very seldom gets more than 60 boats. They are just about the most sucessful racing we currently have. If ya want to talk about getting jacked up as you put it WHO CAN GET JACKED UP RACING AT 70 mph. Fishing boats are faster. Just the satisfaction of beating the fastest outboards in the world is enough. Some and I'm one think its all about speed and not numbers. I think maybe unlimited has the fewest numbers but it is the top shelf of racing. If you want to compete against numbers join a bowling league and ya never have to leave your neighborhood.

[Matt Dagostino]

Ouch.....................

If you want to compete against numbers join a bowling league and ya never have to leave your neighborhood.

Pat
Been there done that. I got more injuries bowling than boat racing!! Pulled back muscles, sprained ankle, tore up thumb, second hand smoke (yuck). Think i will stick to racing, it is much safer!!...lol.

See ya at Jesup????

Matt

[Islandmon]

Lets see,series huh USTS very seldom gets more than 60 boats. They are just about the most sucessful racing we currently have. If ya want to talk about getting jacked up as you put it WHO CAN GET JACKED UP RACING AT 70 mph. Fishing boats are faster. Just the satisfaction of beating the fastest outboards in the world is enough. Some and I'm one think its all about speed and not numbers. I think maybe unlimited has the fewest numbers but it is the top shelf of racing. If you want to compete against numbers join a bowling league and ya never have to leave your neighborhood.

Sounds to me like you would prefer to be part of the problem vs. part of the solution. No one is saying series racing is the answer but it may be part of a bigger picture. I for one like the "idea" and am willing to talk about it. We have to get ideas on the table or we won't move forward.......that's a fact. So if you will excuse me I'll take all my good friends with our slow boats and small numbers any day of the week over non productive naysayers.
P.S. I'm not much of a bowler.

Cheers,

Sam

[raceright]

Sounds to me like you would prefer to be part of the problem vs. part of the solution. No one is saying series racing is the answer but it may be part of a bigger picture. I for one like the "idea" and am willing to talk about it. We have to get ideas on the table or we won't move forward.......that's a fact. So if you will excuse me I'll take all my good friends with our slow boats and small numbers any day of the week over non productive naysayers.
P.S. I'm not much of a bowler.

Cheers,

Sam

My friend you sure donot know me and this is not the form to get to.
what solution do you refer to anyway?? Your Bowling LOLOLO

Not going to Jessup Matt no Capsules

[dholt]

Hey Raceright.

Get the castor oil out of your eyes and re-read my post.

I'm saying I DESIRE to race at premiere events. Which in Stock Outboard means larger numbers and translates to TOUGHER competition. You know...where you actually have to QUALIFY for the final because there are more than 12 boats in the class. Of course, being a regular at Stock races, you'd know that, wouldn't you?

I'll compare my racing resume up against yours any time, big-boy. You may be able to bully others on here...but not me. How many National titles you got under your belt? If you're about winning...let's hear it. When you get to 10, call me.

Come on out and cram yourself in a BSR or a 20ssH someday and let's see how you hold up if you consider it such a cake walk.

Sorry to burst your bubble...but unless you're racing in the SST 120 or Champ class, you're not beating the fastest outboards in the world either. No slam against PRO...just against your typical ill-informed, factless ramblings that litter this website.