Breaking news from APBA HQ

[RyanWarner]

The main issue is Crown's plan for APBA, not the 'promo video'. That being said, any first impressions should be based off of the website / forums and not the special effects of the 'promo video'. Companies such as IBM and Microsoft trust Crown to get the job done, we should too.

[Brew56]

Clearly things are not looking good the way things are now. The most recent SO/MO/J race (in Region 6!) I attended had the worst turnout in its history. It was very scary and sad to see. We need all the help we can get.

I greatly appreciate Richard's efforts on this. He's one of us. He's very bright and understands marketing and our sport.

Let's lose the negativity and be proud that one of our own is trying to help save our sport. It sure beats watching it continue to die.

Each of us must seriously focus on getting someone a ride in a boat. You never know where you may find a new racer.

[Dave M]

Wow

I think it might be to little to late. While I completely disagree with the approach, i give credit they are trying to change. I simply don't feel this is the way to do it.

My hope is that the organization does not turn into a dictatorship.

Good Luck APBA, my dues won't be going up to help pay for this. I can't back something I don't believe in anymore.

[kampkurz]

Attitude shift?

Thank God that there are a few people with positive attitudes, and thanks for chiming in. It makes all the crap that flows so easily from the naysayers a little easier to take.
I've been around the Hearns long enought to know that Richard and his outfit will do all he can to help us. Mark Kurz

[Big Don]

I think it might be to little to late. While I completely disagree with the approach, i give credit they are trying to change. I simply don't feel this is the way to do it. It is to much money to be spent on something like social media. I think any 5 year old could probably do better than most of us folks they are trying to save.

My hope is that the organization does not turn into a dictatorship.

Good Luck APBA, my dues won't be going up to help pay for this. I can't back something I don't believe in anymore.

Bye Dave, and thanks for all your positive support over the years

[Dave M]

Shift ?

KampKurcz - perhaps there only a few positive posts becasue only a few think it is the right thing to do ?

Suggestion - Fix the root of the problem from the root racers. Then worry about the other stuff. You want how it truly makes me feel ? Like they don't care about who is currently racing and their needs and wants. It is about transforming the whole deal with new people. Yes we need new people in the sport. I just don't think alineating the current members is the right way to go about it. I hope I am wrong, I honestly do. With all the rules and changes they have made in the 5 years it has really turned into something I don't believe in anymore. And I have been a member since i was 8 years old. I have tried to help it, proposed things at meetings, talked to people, I have even gotten new people into the sport. I have given new boats away to new people and built engines without any thoughts of money. It was for the love of the sport. I have deeply discounted boats and engines to fairly new people that looked like they needed some encouragment. I think my 30 years involved might mean I have seen a thing or two tried and whether it worked or not.

I also think the Hearns have good intentions. I don't doubt they will try to make it better in their own way. So I wish them the best of luck. It sure would be nice to see the rules fixed and classes reduced so that it is attractive to a new person. Without that all the social media in the world isn't going to help.

Key to growth in the next ten years is CHEAP. I can't tell you the last time APBA gave out tow money or prize money at a race. Best I ever got was a trophy at Nat's for winning. That is sure to attract a lot of the younger generation........ spend 10K to get into the sport, we will give you a small trophy for your investment, that is once you figure out what class it is your engine runs in.

[sam]

Ryan are you sure you listened to the script of the video?

It WAS SPECIFICALLY directed to current APBA members.

Go back and watch it again. Know what you are talking about before you type.

If most people think this video is directed to those outside APBA, it's even worse than I thought

[sam]

So far I see more people commenting about the video than it has views.

Watch it and then take a side, don't be prejudiced either way before you see it.

[Big Don]

Another positive way to look at the video … Since it was made for current memebers....

I’m glad they didn’t spend a lot of money to make that video so they have more to invest elsewhere since they are just informing us.

[Mike45]

Negativity

Man....You racers/members all talk about promoting the sport but there is so much "trash talk" on how it needs done. This is discouraging alone to anyone reading. 1st off Hydroracer is a great tool for racers and anyone interested in talking about the sport, I am living proof of it that it works. 2nd, I am glad to see that the APBA is doing something else and try to promote it but you do not do a very good job if you trash others that have taken a different approach on how it should be done. I have my own ideas as others do also.

Here is a couple:
1. Instead of raising the daily race fees just up the club membership fees...say from $20 to $100 a year. It is easier on the pocket and it will not discourage someone from bringing 1 boat vs. 3 as much or hurt with gas prices on the rise. The race prices are what keeps me from going to more places not the membership dues that you only pay once.

2. Do not due away with the printed copy of Propeller just do not include it in a APBA membership. Offer a subsciption fee of $2.50 a month or $30 a year. most that want a hard copy will pay it. (including me) and I also get on the net a lot, but do not do it to read a news magazine.

3. On this new sight or one like Hydroracer TV put on full race clips not just a 3min clip of someone with a cam strapped to the boat. I watched a black and white clip from races gone by on youtube and it is more interesting on how the announcer tapes and explians it than any of our more recent videos. Just showing other racers/races a video of someone going around a course is not appealing to anyone interested. You must show most of the race and also have the cameraman interacting with the racers/pit crews with explanations of the boats, motors, rules, courses ect.

4. Put a dog gone spellcheck button somewhere on these threads.

Just remember when you where a kid and you had the three of you playing tag and could not decide who was it and you argued about it and either did not play or lost the 3rd person to make the game fun. Just think about it 1/3 of the racers gone because 2/3rds of the players will not make things equal or support each that is involved.

Remember... "If you really want to accomplish something you will keep trying..If not you will make an excuse"...


Mike Stevenson 45-P

[Big Don]

Mike,
I’ll just comment on Number 2 for now. 100% agree. Either raise our membership dues or offer it separately. I don’t want to lose the printed magazine. Funny there are those that will complain about what you get for your $$$$ when you join. Just look at the prices of anything else these days. I’ll use tires as an example: over the past 2 years prices have risen over 25%. I don’t see our membership fees going up at that same rate. I seem to think it’s a pretty fair deal for the money.

[ryan_4z]

Ryan are you sure you listened to the script of the video?

It WAS SPECIFICALLY directed to current APBA members.

Go back and watch it again. Know what you are talking about before you type.

If most people think this video is directed to those outside APBA, it's even worse than I thought

Of course the video was designed for us Sam. Who else would it be for? That little informational video is not designed to get membership or advertise APBA. It's sole purpose was to say, "Hey guys, here's what's going on." They could have just as easily sent out an ordinary email, instead they gave us something a little more stimulating and with a personal feel. I know exactly what I'm talking about when I type. My point is, that video doesn't have to have world class production value. It get's the point across. If I saw a television ad with that guy talking in the same format I might be a little put off, but that's not what it was. Jesus, you guys just want to rip on this because you are afraid your precious message boards--the only place you have a voice in this sport--are going to be oblsoleted. I will again refer you to the rest of the video. The money we are spending on this endeavor will streamline operations, and, hopefully, provide our organization with a platform with which to approach potential new racers. I don't know how many of you naysayers posting here are, or have been, involved with race day operations, or the more time consuming paperwork that goes on before and after the races that our volunteers spend days preparing, but those of you who have know that the system desperately needs improvement. This is one of just a number of things that were addressed in the video. Or were you all just posting your negativities while that was playing. I for one was paying attention, eager to hear about the new approach. This streamlining will have a direct effect on our race program by speeding up the process in-between heats, allowing our race officials to run a more efficient program, and maybe not experience burnout so quickly.

Most importantly, however, is the fact that something is being done. We have been discussing the death of our sport for what feels like decades now, with little actual effort being made to do something about it. For the first time that I can recall, we are taking a real, businesslike approach to the advancement of our sport. Kudos to those who are making this effort, and shame on those who would sit back and watch our sport die offering nothing but criticism to those out there fighting for it on the front lines.

[dholt]

Ryan,

Amen, brother.

See you at Sunday Lake for a cold one.

D.

[blueskyracer]

I am sorry but I don't agree. Message boards will not go obsolete because a lot of folks don't do APBA and there are many more folks moving over to the up and comers. For some reason many think APBA is the only fish in the sea. Don't think so.

Who knows but you sure are using our forum to slam us (HR) in numerous posts. I for one would not even be here if it were not for Hydroracer and I believe there are numerous folks that can say the same thing or have found a lot of good equipment thru this site. This site will be around till we decide to retire or get tired of this stuff.

As far as this new plan I hope it works. From cost estimates I have seen looks like this is live or die since all the eggs were put in one basket. I still think there are more problems with the rules than getting the word out. Also to many attitudes are based on the good old days.. Folks, those days are over and untill everyone faces that fact ......................

[MGallagher]

I think the Mid-Western "Richard and Ed" should keep in mind the Eastern "Richard and Ed" endevours and hard work while integrating this new "direction" for APBA. Also, it has been a real pleasure to see the endless and tireless hard work by many in APBA, especially over the past several years to retain and turnaround such a positive family sport. Hopefully all of these ideas, meetings, committees, posts, general conversations, and people can and will be utilized by Crown Partners on there project. Surely, this will be there toughest one.