302 SSH prototype at Grass Lake

[kampkurz]

1 and3/8 depth

Wasn't the main reason for the 1 and 3/8 inch depth discussed because the 'stock' foot has handling issues at 3/4 inch? If a boat was built for 1 and 3/8, would it be impossible to raise a motor 5/8 inch to get to 3/4? I hope this class takes off. I really do think we need a class that a new racer can have a chance for success right out of the box. No honed rods, no constant stream of props going back and forth to your prop guru, only after hours and hours of testing. Good work and good comments by all. Mark

[csh12M]

Speed can go over 60

I really agree with Paul post. I dont think that the 302SSH should be thought of as a novice class. It is a cost controlled/competitively balanced class that I will put new members in. MHRA racing school has proven that with school and proper mentoring we can teach new racers to handle 67MPH rigs. Where the category has a big gap is getting these people competitive. The 302SSH class will fill that gap, but I think it should be open to everyone. In MHRA this class is starting to buzz, and I see that it is buzzing with some current racers as much as perspective new racers. Let the class go over 60MPH, if it does naturally. Focus the rules on keeping competitive balance.

As a club we will be driving all our Racer School folks towards it. I believe that having 2MPH on the field makes you look like a much better driver. We may be surprised to see the novice racer able to compete very well if we are all going within 1MPH of each other.

I am not sure how two blades will react, but if they dont skate at 3/4 below the boat then run 3/4. Like the CSH. Also, I measured up a few boats at the Nationals and quite a few existing CSH would not meet the existing Hydro length. I think we should revisit the rules this year.

We have some real interest in MHRA in this class.

[Affholter66]

I really agree with Paul post. I dont think that the 302SSH should be thought of as a novice class. It is a cost controlled/competitively balanced class that I will put new members in. MHRA racing school has proven that with school and proper mentoring we can teach new racers to handle 67MPH rigs. Where the category has a big gap is getting these people competitive. The 302SSH class will fill that gap, but I think it should be open to everyone. In MHRA this class is starting to buzz, and I see that it is buzzing with some current racers as much as perspective new racers. Let the class go over 60MPH, if it does naturally. Focus the rules on keeping competitive balance.

As a club we will be driving all our Racer School folks towards it. I believe that having 2MPH on the field makes you look like a much better driver. We may be surprised to see the novice racer able to compete very well if we are all going within 1MPH of each other.

We have some real interest in MHRA in this class.

Dean I couldn't agree more...I'm not saying I'm an "experienced racer"...but I do like the fact that if one were to get an additional gearfoot you could potentially run THREE classes with one Boat/Motor..ie 302SSH..change foot..CSH/20SSH...my curiosity is building...

[daveracerdsh]

302 Super Stock Hydro

We have several SOA races left....If I can find a boat I am going to test setup at 3/4 inch and 1 inch.....no tuck like I had at Nationals test session. I will need to get prop from Vic though....also...as far as a claiming rule goes...when you purchase motor you get rights to a prop...not a specific prop. We will figure something out to keep them in good shape. Keep the positive comments coming in...they really are a big help to Jeff Brewster and myself and the rest of the committee. 9US

[csh12M]

A few things I am wondering

Food for thought?

Should the weight be 420 not 440? 20SSH is 400 and CSH is 440. 440lbs seems to work for about a 195lb driver and up. I would like to be able to get some of the 165lb and up guys into this class. I think 420 would work.

I also wonder if restricted setups would be good? No more than a 1/4" of tuck or kick and a minimum distance from the back of the boat to the front of the gearcase, say 4"?

I think the minimum boat sizes are a good idea, but I think they may need to be tweaked a little.

In the future maybe three blades instead of two. I understand why we are starting this way, but I think three blades would be better.

Just some points for consideration.

This is a "real" wacky idea but.......what if every rig had a eTrex($99.00) GPS in it. As a way to keep competitive balance you require that no rig exceeds a certain speed, say like 62MPH. Maybe you make a run prior to the race to set a "speed of the day". If you exceed the speed of the day by 1MPH you "break out" and get zero points for that heat? I know kind of wild, but maybe....

[reed28n]

302 ssh

and so it begins.....we have taken an idea that a few people were passionate about and have begun to tweak and strip and ask for and get consensus.

Try something new for APBA, set a group of appointed folks to sanction and balance this class. Don't publish who the group is, let them observe objectively and make the rules favor competition and not someone's trailer. People not in the class.

No voting by members in the class, rules are made for the good of the sport not to favor one isolated claim.

Market this class as APBA not Stock Outboard or any other category

Wait....they almost did that with Universal J.

If we are going to treat this like every other class in Stock Outboard scrap the whole idea because it will look exactly like CSH in 2 years and we don't need two.

Allow motor claim races and prop claim races.

[reed28n]

Claim races

Not to hi jiack a thread.... but give the claim race a thought. Say you start with prop claim races. Guys will all run something competitive but I would be willing to bet they all won't run that one special wheel they save. You have just closed the gap on the whole field....

[csh12M]

Yeah 302SSH

I am not complaining about the class, just throwing some ideas out for "food for thought". I think it is a great idea. As a club who "really" puts a lot into Racer School and "new name" members, this class is needed. I just want it to appeal to as many as we can so that it gets off the ground. I really think it could be the future of all our category.

Definitely, in full support of 302SSH.

[dholt]

Kiss!

The fewer rules the better. That's what people want. SIMPLE.

[daveracerdsh]

302 Super Stock Hydro

We are trying to keep this as simple as possible...but that being said, fair and fun for all. Dave

[PittmanRacing]

We can agree to keep it simple, yet sometimes not establishing some clear boundaries creates far more undesirable and complex problems in the long run. Transparency and openness by sharing thoughts, ideas & perspectives is good for building consensus. Ultimately, a selected knowledgeable and unbiased group will have to establish the final parameters. Furthermore, the open conversation helps folks to understand both the intent and final decisions. For example, why the 1 3/8” transom height or weight or 2-blade vs 3 blade? What are the downside of the alternatives? No one knows everything yet the collective wisdom with a common objective can result in a great outcome.

[STEVE FRENCH]

[QUOTE=daveracerdsh;208206]We have several SOA races left....If I can find a boat I am going to test setup at 3/4 inch and 1 inch.....no tuck like I had at Nationals test session. I will need to get prop from Vic though....also...as far as a claiming rule goes...when you purchase motor you get rights to a prop...not a specific prop. We will figure something out to keep them in good shape. Keep the positive comments coming in...they really are a big help to Jeff Brewster and myself and the rest of the committee. 9U

Dave, as far as the condition of prop turn'd in for the draw,........Have a couple spares avail(club or driver).........I'd want a couple of my own anyway...... if a driver turns in a beat-up wheel for the draw,......she/he pays a fee for the back-up, and it goes back for repairs/replacement.....Would it be difficult to have a cast (plastic/fiberglass) test mold (cast off a "Master" prop)......to inspect dia/pitch condition during turn in for the draw?....Next issue?

[reed28n]

agree

The fewer rules the better. That's what people want. SIMPLE.

My point was not directed at anyone(it was a caution to all of us, myself included).... here :here, on the fewer rules the better and keeping it simple and being fair.

(you knew it was coming) BUT, have a group outside of the class keep it in balance. No one in the class should be allowed to dictate what happens in the class. That will lead you down a road traveled by all of our classes.

Have a class where 12 boats enter and 12 boats can race to win. Between heats swap drivers, swap props, swap motors swap lanes swap paint.....then heat 2 - 12 boats enter 12 boats can win.

[reed28n]

302 ssh

For the record, I do not support the idea of this class.

But we have already started down this path. Let's work together to make the best of it.

I did not support the AXS class but that has been a success.....so I have been wrong before.

[daveracerdsh]

302 Super Stock Hydro

I do have to first 302 Super stock hydro motor for sale.....has a lot of compression, started 2nd pull at Grass Lake. It is all sealed, ready to go racing. Do not have the spec prop for it....but can get ahold of it pretty quick. $2500 bucks, which is close to what I paid for it. Maybe somebody in the midwest wants it and can give us some more test data? I will take time payments if money is a problem. Dave