New topic for Annual meeting

[csh2z]

I have some questions about the concept of a competition director, or whatever you might call it. Do we have the authority to appoint, or even elect such a person? Do we want a dictator? What do we do if we disagree with the direction taken by our beloved dictator? Would this person be elected or appointed to a term, or is it a position for life? Would a person campaign on issues? How do we get rid of him? Who do you suggest to take this position?

I realize that committees are not the most efficient means of decision making. Getting from where we are, to where we want to be, will probably require a committee.

As far as the product is concerned, I believe the sport as it appears to the common spectator is probably pretty good. Those of us on the inside know that we have issues to deal with. But these issues are not part of the product. Our sport is exciting, spectacular, and the epitomy of competition. Thats what the spectators see on the water. In the pits they can see that we are a close knit group, otherwise average people, competing in a unique venue. In order to properly market our product, the consumer must equally understand that we fiercly battle it out on the water, and then we come back to the pits and share good times with each other. We are a family sport, and many of our friendships are lifelong.

[G Stillwill]

I think the real problem is we have a product that maybe one in fifty of the general public acctually know what we race. I use an open trailer and in my travels anytime I stop there is always someone that walks up and looks at the boats and dont have a clue as to what they are or know they are some kind of boat and the numbers mean its raced. How in the world can we expect new racers when people dont know we exsist. All the advertising goes to the bigger money classes which is where the manufactures are making money. Mercury carried the stocks from the fiftys thru the early eightys not by producing racing engines except for the 20H but by producing a racing unit to put their sevice fishing engines on. Now with the hotrod making a come back and the OMC gear foot being produced again it should be easier for new drivers to enter the sport if they know it exsists.

[kws]

i have to agree, and i am a new racer. we spent a lot of time tring to find race equipment for a local race. where i am from people, would say thing like they use to race some small boat years ago they might still up north. then after getting on the internet we found out that people really do still race "them lil boats ya kneell down in" then many many emails later and phone calls. 3 years later (from outside the racing crowd, we actually found... gasp!! an omc 15 with a race foot wahooo! lol i dont mean to sound as negative as this reads.because i do understand the reluctunce to sell outside the racing circle, something that is not being produced. the real point is we as a group are unheard of to the majority of the people. that HAS to be adressed for the sport to grow at least it seems that way to me

ps
you all are probably getting tired all my posts

[G Stillwill]

Maybe appoint someone to compile a list of drivers per state, region, and division that would be willing to help a new driver get started by helping them find what they need to race. Most driver know when there is stuff for sale and can put the new driver in contact with them. HydroRacer is a great start to answering questions and finding equipment for new drivers but the help of someone that is in racing now on a one to one basis with a new driver would be a big help. Most of us were lucky enough to follow in someone elses foot steps to get into racing but the gene pool is drying up and new blood is needed if the sport is to grow.

[Ron Hill]

KWS, I'm not tired...

Last Christmas Holiday, I was teaching and had two weeks off...This Hydroracer Page got me to thinking maybe, I should get a D Runabout and have my old boy drive it...Winter Nationals were coming.....to California....

By the end of the two weeks I was so confused, I gave up....I've been around the sport of 60 years, and I could not figure how to put a D together, someone made cowling, someone made stickers, someone going to make gear cases I could buy a mid section but I need to find clampbracket assembly, someone was making powerheads, but they were out of carbs....

I just wanted to BUY and Engine....This year I could buy a Tohatsu D....but will it be legal? Will it have unknown problems??

We have been successful in find 45 parts, it appears we have six powerheads, maybe 5 gearcases, and 1 1/2 mid sections...but we will be able to race a 45....

When we raced J/A, I always had three or four motors in the trailer, one new one with a factory price tag...in our J/A racing era, we had more than 18 15A's...

Has anyone ever considered a "FOCUS" Group with questions about kneeldown boats???

I've run my own unofficial "FOCUS" Group... We use to leave our trailer in front of the house after races, like for a day, then take it to the shop...neighbor kids would come by and most would only look at at three or four boats stacked up....Once is a great while, someone would say "BOATS?"

When we got the 45, we parked it in the driveway, we had 5-10 kids all over it...

Why, it had a motor on it, it didn't have Smari Swords sticking out and didn't have a brake (Throttle) sticking out....if kids did ask, they didn't want to kneel or drive one handed... they wanted to sit...
Oh, know I've said it, "SIT"....well, Rusty Rae's kid had an A Stock Hydro with a capsule....I tested my D HYDRO at Needles one weekend by sitting down....things would need to be changed, but it was easy on my knees.

Another problem: The one thing I don't have a suggestion for is how to convince the wife this is a good idea for kids or husband.... This killed my racing as much as anything. This is a quote from an E-Mail to me...

If you've been reading my Encyclopedia www.boatracingfacts.com, you may see three CONCEPT CLASSES that I've going to sponsor.....money will be where my mouth has been...

[Matt Dagostino]

Ron In A D Runabout.............

Again, What a thought. I ran into Racer Allen and Pontius a couple times this summer. I remember you guys along with Dick Reese, Stippich, Lovelace..............

Maybe you guys could reserect your "Snapper" boat Racers "White Whale" and the like and show these new age runabout guys what life in a 13 foot runabout is all about...............

MATT

PS..........I wonder if you are in as good a shape as Racer and Don seem to be....... Merry Christmas.

[jeff55v]

I use an open trailer and in my travels anytime I stop there is always someone that walks up and looks at the boats and dont have a clue as to what they are or know they are some kind of boat and the numbers mean its raced.

I agree! I was once towing on my trailer a complete boat cart on my lower rack, and my hydro on the rack just above it. When I stopped at a gas station to fill up, the attendant asked me what the thing was on my trailer. I replied that it was a hydroplane. The guy said, "Oh yeah, I can see the landing gear." I just walked away...

Perhaps we need to simplify our class structure and technical rules a bit. From the outside looking into our racing world things might be a little too complicated for a beginner... But I'd write off that gas station attendant, he was hopeless!

[Ron Hill]

Yea!!!

In the old days, we'd put a little water in our boats when we traveled to keep them from drying out....I got out of the car, bare foot, and the guy asked where's your shoes? I said, "I ain't got none" He replied, "Ain't got none ay???" As I was adding some water to the boats he asked what I was doing? I told him I was keeping the fish a live....He said, "Ay"...

I saw Racer at Bakersfield last March, first time since 1977... We had a nice talk in the bar...He looked really good....for his age and all...I'm still around 240....had cateracts replaced in both eyes, ten years ago... With a 15 year old around here, an 18 month old granddaughter, a 27 year old son and new wife, and .....building houses ,working on props, going to water polo games, writing for the net...I guess I'm in good shape...the wife is in better shape, she goes to the gym every morning when I get on the net...

Stay tuned for my three Concept Classes...

ADD: I don't feel old...but I get with Ernie Dawe and Rod Zapf...and I see them look at me kind of funny....I know what they are thinking, because I look at them and say the same thing...I say,"Man are those guys getting old."

[Ron Hill]

Did someone say "DUCT TAPE"???

1964 Modesto Nationals, CSH was won by Kenny Rosado... I didn't qualify in CSH...

[Steve Warnock]

Bill P III,

Stock Outboard created a mission statement in 1989 during the short lived Racer Allen administration and I see that it is no longer in the combined 2003-2004 rule books.

If someone has a pre-combined rule book(ie-2000-2002), it would be nice if those words could be placed on this thread for all to see. The mission statement was on the first page of the stock outboard section of the rules.

Warbs

[BP125V]

GOOd QUESTION!

I have some questions about the concept of a competition director, or whatever you might call it. Do we have the authority to appoint, or even elect such a person? Do we want a dictator? What do we do if we disagree with the direction taken by our beloved dictator? Would this person be elected or appointed to a term, or is it a position for life? Would a person campaign on issues? How do we get rid of him? Who do you suggest to take this position?

I would be very concerned about the person elected or appointed or however they get the job. Lots of bad decisions are made by people with good intentions. I think the main thing I am driving for is one person or maybe up to 3 who are working full time on setting the direction of the sport and laying the groundwork for engine/class development, promotions etc. If done well, the full time aspect probably would only take a year or two, then maybe this function could be part time or go back to the commission.


Again, my main concern is summed up in Pareto's law, you have 20% of the people doing 80% of the work. Those who are willing to spend the time and effort working for the sport are spread way too thin.

How do we get 1-3 people that do not have other racing committments working on the sport right now?

Bill III

[modracer7b]

>>>>>>>>>How do we get 1-3 people that do not have other racing committments working on the sport right now? <<<<<<<<

Start by asking for volunteers and nominees. Then whittle the list to the ones that the commissions and members are comfortable with.

>>>>>>>>I would be very concerned about the person elected or appointed or however they get the job. Lots of bad decisions are made by people with good intentions.<<<<<<<<<<<<

Firstly, this position or group would be needed to cover both Mod and Stock as class consolidation across the catagories is possibly one of the issues to be confronted. Secondly, as a safeguard against bad decisions, it could be instituted as part of the setup that a unanamous vote by the commission of the affected catagory could stop a change by the group. If the idea is really bad, then all the commissioners would surely oppose it. Care must be taken to not have the group controlled by the wishes of a simple majority of the commissions. We are trying to get a system to do what the commissions cannot agree on. Lastly, any class consolidation changes should be probationary until they are perfected. In other words, if a class is being put into another class, during the probationary period, the original class would be retained and the combined class would be simply a non-point, non-championship second ride for the class targeted for removal. The class targeted for being retained would be run with the probationary boats running with them. Other items could also be considered probationary where appropriate.

Removal of the individual or an individual from the group could be accomplished by a unanomous vote of both commissions. The individuals in the group will likley not be the most popular people given the task they would be charged with, but if they are really bad, then everyone would want them out.

Bill Rosado

[Ron Hill]

It ain't that easy...

Start the list of what needs to be changed:

1.
2.
3.

What will this change accomplish?


Are you sure?

Why do you think this change is necessary???


Look at Garbrecht with Formula One.....All the tunnel boat guys running Formula One jumped ship and went with Champboat.....because Gary was this or that... Then, Jake took over and he was this or that...

It appears that this year, Champboat may have the name Formula One and with Wayne Worthy running it for the second year, with Fred Miller's help.....maybe a course of action can be followed... which, in my opinion, is where Garbrecht had the sport about 1997...but when Gary tried to change the Unlimited's plans, they left APBA...

What makes you think changing APBA's rules will keep guys in APBA??? Will they go to AOF and NBRA or???

Name a rule change in your life time that has caused people to join kneeldown boat racing!!! I can name changes that sent guys packing...

I'm not trying to be negative...but boat racers are free thinker and free to do something else...with their time, money and energy...

QUESTION: Why are races like Shadow Cliffs, Constantine, well attended???

Why aren't all races well attended???

[sam]

I think I can name one rule change that kept people in or brought people in .....

several times Claude Fox declared a moritorium on techincal rule changes for 3 or 5 years

Rule change ..... NO CHANGES!

this is what I suggest:

Step 1 .... tech rule change moritorium
Step 2 .... "official" bracketing of like speed classes
step 2 will allow us to see what tweeks would be needed to combine
step 3 eventual class combination

[Ron Hill]

As usualy, SAM nails it...

At Depue, 1967 we could not run the new VC Konig (Rotary Valve), it was not yet approved. In '68 I bought two new Konigs, new hydro and new runabout and raced all seson and went to DePue and did well...

In 1969 I was running OPC for free and getting married... I went to DePue, my future in laws lived a hundred miles away...I didn't do well...got second in C Runabout and maybe second in D Runabout. Blew the foot on my D hyrdo, so never got in the finals..

But a guy named ZAK had made new pipes and maybe new heads...and it was clear these were needed to make the Konig run.

On the way home, driving to California, you have time to think....McDougall had ruined his new DeSilva in a blow over Utah driver, blow over in front of my future wife and her family...wasn't seriously hurt, but totally destroyed the boat and he left the race in an ambulance)......speeds were really getting faster....AND I needed to spend some serious money on both my C and D to be ready for 1970.

OPC would be enough racing for me...Seebold and Herring we running for Mercury...Waldman was coming to Havasu, to decide if he wanted to run for OMC....

RULE FREEZES give guys a chance to figure out what they can afford and give them a chance to feel the y could win...


Every heat should have 12 boats in it....(Brackets if you wish..Divisions as I call them)... The winners (1,2,3) could move to the next bracket!!!! That is the way Capnzee use to do it...in inboards...once he had a 145 run the Main...