DSR Drivers – Ballot to reduce weight

[pearson95m]

I’m curious as to the reasoning behind this? How many new drivers would this add to the class if the weight is reduced to 505? I’m all about getting some new blood into the class but I’m afraid that lowering the weight 10lbs would accomplish nothing, except piss off the few drivers we have left.

Lets look at the numbers. CSR is 475 and DSR is 515 currently. The only difference between these two classes is about 40lbs of motor weight. So if we add the 40lbs to 475 we get 515. So by reducing the weight to 505. It has just become easier for someone to make weight in a CSR rather than a DSR. Most DSR drivers are in the class cause they can’t make weight in the smaller classes. The weight in these smaller classes is much more critical than it is in DSR. The D motor(s) have enough power that the added weight is much less of an issue to the overall speed.

I’m all about doing whatever it takes to get more people to race. I want what’s best for the class and sport. If reducing the weight 10lbs brings a handful of new drivers… well ok then... great. I just find it hard to believe that 10lbs is the difference maker for someone to go out and buy a DSR rig. Hell, lower it to 475, 400, no weight… I don’t care… bring it! I’ll race you all!! Just don’t lower the weight and drive out the few drivers we have left to gain… I don’t know, how many new drivers was it again?

[Ron Hill]

****ed If You Do, ****ed If You Don't

When I was racing D Stock Runabout, being 6'5" and 235 pounds, I could drive a D Runabout about like the average A or B runabout driver. I could "Horse" my boat where ever and whenever I wanted.

The smaller guys wanted lighter boats and short boats. Us "FULL GROWN" men wanted to keep the weight higher. Copper Jess has a video of the Beloit 1970 Stock Nationals, where i managed to win straight heats in D Stock Runabout, but the video is disturbing even today, as it show three people "Blowing Over" on the way to the firs turn. No one hurt, but I always felt this video signed the end of D Stock Runabout.

I did win he 1977 D Stock runabout Nationals, again with straight heats. Never to race another Stock Nationals. I was 33 years old, with two kids, and I decided it was too dangerous for me.

My first D Runabout kilo record was 64 MPH. Later it was 70. Later, Lloyd Mize went 90 MPH.

AFTER WRITING THE ABOVE, I WILL ADD: D MOD RUNABOUT HAS doesn't have weight, and they have more D Mod's than D Stock.

As I approach 70 years of age, and see these Modern New Fangled Runabouts, with Puestow side fins, I think I'd vote for no weights. At least they would be easier to put on the trailer.

If I had my way, I make them be 14 feet long, 22 inch bottom and run two in the boat....................But, no one asked me!

[jeff55v]

DSR weight ballot.

Before ANY rule change, I want to see a strong case in it's favor.
In this instance, I haven't seen a strong argument in favor of the change.
10lbs isn't going to make or break anybody, especially in DSR. I say, leave it the way it is.
By the way, I need to add 15lbs to my DSR to make the current weight.

[kampkurz]

DSR Weight Reduction

At the national meeting when this came up, to decide if it should be on the ballot, I regret, as commisioner of region 6, that I did not ask for more of an explanation as to why this was felt to be necessary. It seemed like everyone thought it was such a great idea. I should have been better prepared to represent the DSR drivers of my region. You know, the region with around ninety percent of the DSR drivers.
That being said, when it came to a vote, I found myself to be the lone nay vote. I explained that my DSR driver friends would kill me if I voted in favor. I don't think I could have swayed enough commissioners but I should have tried. Hopefully the members vote will go different.

[Jeff Brewster 59s]

history

This proposal was on our agenda at the Detroit national meeting in 2011.

The person that proposed it stated,
"Statistically, DSR is the least-lively class in terms of participation. During the 2010 season, only three participants entered in one race (with one exception). (Source: APBA 2010 on-line high point page) With the combination of composite and natural materials becoming more popular, I feel this could be an opportunity to help revive the class."

I voted for this proposal along with the majority of the SORC for one reason only and that was to let the DSR drivers make their own decision on the matter.

Then, it was accidently left off of the ballot.

At this year's national meeting in Chicago I added it to "old business" on our agenda. It once again passed to go to ballot for the DSR drivers.

So that is the history of it, now you guys can decide what is best for your class. Good luck, Jeff

[dwestby]

back on 10-05-2010 I started this post if you look under members and my name you can see all 4 pages of posts, this was to be voted on last year and did not make the ballot. I still have 3 lite weight two never been wet that were to be run in DSR. See like any type of change if it might make someone work harder get more boats into a class like DMR able to add a little weight and have more DSR run WE mone and piss about it and No one want to play. Since 2011 finding driver that what to help and able to test. I QUIT part is due to the ruling of the DSH Tohatsu height still not being change for the last 2 or soo years as I was though to be changed that was my mistake thinking again, sold the tohatsu oiled the 44sx mer for storage with all the 3 Dmod motor and parts are on the self with all the parts. and I will dammed if I will race any class this year. Kind of look good around here with 3 runnabout and a 2 year old DMH hanging on the wall. Been in the sport since 1970 going back to hot rods. Love the sport but can not take all the bull>>>>> t that goes with it... been talking to Alex to much have a great year dennis westby

[Team 12R]

more issues than weight

I’m curious as to the reasoning behind this? How many new drivers would this add to the class if the weight is reduced to 505? I’m all about getting some new blood into the class but I’m afraid that lowering the weight 10lbs would accomplish nothing, except piss off the few drivers we have left.

Lets look at the numbers. CSR is 475 and DSR is 515 currently. The only difference between these two classes is about 40lbs of motor weight. So if we add the 40lbs to 475 we get 515. So by reducing the weight to 505. It has just become easier for someone to make weight in a CSR rather than a DSR. Most DSR drivers are in the class cause they can’t make weight in the smaller classes. The weight in these smaller classes is much more critical than it is in DSR. The D motor(s) have enough power that the added weight is much less of an issue to the overall speed.

I’m all about doing whatever it takes to get more people to race. I want what’s best for the class and sport. If reducing the weight 10lbs brings a handful of new drivers… well ok then... great. I just find it hard to believe that 10lbs is the difference maker for someone to go out and buy a DSR rig. Hell, lower it to 475, 400, no weight… I don’t care… bring it! I’ll race you all!! Just don’t lower the weight and drive out the few drivers we have left to gain… I don’t know, how many new drivers was it again?

josh,

i feel your pain. i don't think any weight change one way or another will put new butts in either DSH or DSR. i wish it could be that easy.

daren, guedo & myself were going to bring our DSH's to florida in 2 weeks for winter nationals. we wanted to see 3 other boats from outside our region before making the commitment. we couldn't get a single boat to commit. not even 1 other DSH that we could contact wanted to race winter nationals.

i've beat the tohatsu horse until i don't want to even hear myself talk about it anymore. the cold hard truth is that until the apba makes it a motor that can be legal in DMOD the D class will continue to decline as a whole.

a driver can buy a new 302 for $3000 and can race 5 classes now with that single motor on a hydro and 5 classes on a runabout. a guy can spend $6000 on a new tohatsu and race COMPETITIVELY in 1 class only. why would any new racer want to start racing D? even if he weighs 220 pounds and gets his azz kicked in C classes all day long he still is RACING ALL DAY long.

thanks again for the runabout ride at wakefield last summer. i'm all in this year at grass lake if you have a boat for my motor.

[mercguy]

weight issues again...........

what is the deal nowadays with wanting to REDUCE weights in classes??? Seems we are trying to cater to the lightweights and leaving those "bigger" guys without a pot to piss in!!! If anything, some of the classes should RAISE the weights..........

how about this..............for class concerns on weights.............weigh each and all competitors and record the weights, then at the end of the year, compare the data and see where the weights stand..............I am betting the MIN weights will be easily exceeded, thus obvious no reason to LOWER weights..........

I understand the need to attract new racers, but lowering weights is not the answer (don't bring up the DMR weight (or lack of) either)......

I would race DSR in a heartbeat if the class existed out here in Reg10.......even contemplated on having a boat built just to race at the Nationals..................

[blueskyracer]

Bill You can race a Tohatsu in D mod in NBRA and AOF against the 40 Merc.. We plan to do it in Centralia and Trout Creek this year.. That way I can run in two classes with D and E mod

[Team 12R]

thanks mike

Bill You can race a Tohatsu in D mod in NBRA and AOF against the 40 Merc.. We plan to do it in Centralia and Trout Creek this year.. That way I can run in two classes with D and E mod

someday i hope i can afford to race every weekend both apba and nbra.

[smelt farmer]

apba ,your days are numbered.
farmer

[G Stillwill]

Not taking up for APBA but I have seen other groups come and go and APBA is still around.

[pearson95m]

what is the deal nowadays with wanting to REDUCE weights in classes??? Seems we are trying to cater to the lightweights and leaving those "bigger" guys without a pot to piss in!!! If anything, some of the classes should RAISE the weights..........

how about this..............for class concerns on weights.............weigh each and all competitors and record the weights, then at the end of the year, compare the data and see where the weights stand..............I am betting the MIN weights will be easily exceeded, thus obvious no reason to LOWER weights..........

I understand the need to attract new racers, but lowering weights is not the answer (don't bring up the DMR weight (or lack of) either)......

I would race DSR in a heartbeat if the class existed out here in Reg10.......even contemplated on having a boat built just to race at the Nationals..................

I agree… what’s the deal with always trying to make the classes lighter? I know we all like to go fast obviously… and lighter usually means faster. But we’re taking the competitiveness off the race course and placing it on the beach. It’s now a race to see who can come up with the lightest boat; the one little tweek inside a motor that nobody else knows about; the new propeller shape that gets the extra 1mph. I know this is part of racing (and it IS enjoyable to find that tweek), but I prefer to race on the course. It just seems that with each passing year, we’re driving up the cost of our sport. I’ve been trying to figure out this carbon fiber composite material for the past several months. I want to build a CSR that I can make weight in. The price of building this boat is outrageous. Making these classes lighter is the slippery slope that’s leaving me with no class to race… either that, or I’m going to have to hire NASA to build me a rig.

On a related note: Can we please get back to the basics? “Stock” motors; no side fins for runabout; and lets stop changing our rules to adapt to the newest boat design… and allow the boat designs to adapt to the rules. Also, can we just raise all the weights so I can race BSR again… hahaha… I loved that class.

I like the idea of being able to race the same boat (DMR, DSR). So for that reason I can see how lowering the weight will help. Although, I would suggest placing a weight on DMR equivalent to DSR and let both categories help each other. The DMR that I drive has nothing to it. In fact, the chine split at wakefield just after my heats. I would have loved to race my DSR boat in that class, but because of the “no weight min”, I needed something that could compete.

Anyway… I’ve said enough on the subject for now. Reduce the weight, raise the weight… I’ll still race cause its what I love to do. I just want people to race against. Bring on more marathons. At least there the majority of the competition is on the water and not on the beach.

[laddies]

If SORC can get the weight down low enough it could be another Yamato or even Sidewinder class. Stop and look at attendence, the D drivers show up at a marathon and not for short course, most don't like a skid fin so they stay home. The fin has killed D runabout but then there are many who have wanted that for years anyway.

[Team 12R]

marathons?

If SORC can get the weight down low enough it could be another Yamato or even Sidewinder class. Stop and look at attendence, the D drivers show up at a marathon and not for short course, most don't like a skid fin so they stay home. The fin has killed D runabout but then there are many who have wanted that for years anyway.

how many marathons do you guys have back there? are you seeing 8 boat entries at several different events? i know about "top-O' & the couple classes in trenton. are there races we don't hear about? i don't think decisions should be made on a couple regional events that have a decent turnout.

i agree it takes a little more skill to race a roll-up. however that's the evolution of boat racing (like the KG to the 55 to the XS and hopefully to the tohatsu). just like evolution, those that can't adapt or change become extinct. throw in a governing body that allows self interest to make decision rather than betterment of the whole and DSH & DSR will be a special event at nationals along with the 20H.