Sidewinder report

[bill boyes]

Actually the introduction of the 302 was a bad deal for those who bought a 302 as I did. First it was on probation. Ok no so bad. Then the SROC extended the probation for another season. Then the SROC started the C2 class for 2 season and wanted to keep the 302 in the C2 class and all hell broke loose. This all because the SROC was made up on many 102 owners. It became apparent that the 302 could not run at the 1/2 transom height. Some of us 302 owners asked the SROC to lower the Height to 3/4 and where shut down. During this time the Pro Commission approved the 302 for OSY and many 302 owners started running OSY. This has taken what over 12 years and the SROC have realized that the 302 has parts and is the motor of choice. They did lower the height to 3/4 inch and called it a safety issue when it was a cooling problem. Then they allowed less CC's than the 102. Al this because the SROC voted their Motor Box. Some of you will disagree but I as a 302 owner I lived it. My son Matt and I had the first 302 on the west cost. We ended up buying a 102 for the hydro and ran the 302 on the runabout.
So when someone says the introduction of the 302 was smooth I strongly disagree.
Now look at the last 10 years or so. The SROC wants new motors. Ok they get 302 What happened? the merc 15. What happened? the Tohtsue what happened? Now the Sidewinder and what is happening? Lots of bad mouthing.

[PittmanRacing]

What can we learn?

Like I said "I don't know" whether SORC did it right or made mistakes, the utlimate outcome looks like what we would want for any new motor introduction. If mistakes were made, what can we learn? Parity seems to have been accomplished. How can we make that happen for A so we have a long-term win-win outcome?

[MGallagher]

There are over 30 sidewinders sold mr hill.

13 out of 30 on the water, that's not bad considering the hundreds if not thousands of Yamatos sitting in shops, barns, garages in full working order or in pieces cause they've been frankenstiened to create one dominate motor. Same goes for the hot rod, I'm sure there are pieces of those all over the country because they were butchered to make a handful of dominate motors. These motors are intended to be that way out of the box. Sure, I understand the initial issues, but I also understand that the development of the motor was done in front of its potential customers. You all watched its failures and that's all that seems to be talked about, and that is unfortunate.

[G Stillwill]

There are 18 A Sidewinder motors out right now not sure how many B and 20 motors are out in the field. Ron you really need to get your imformation right. I know of two more that was sold last week to one of the bigger names in boat racing and almost ready for delivery.

[Boatracer4fun]

There are 18 A Sidewinder motors out right now not sure how many B and 20 motors are out in the field. Ron you really need to get your imformation right. I know of two more that was sold last week to one of the bigger names in boat racing and almost ready for delivery.

For some reason Ron has been against the Sidewinder since it hit the water. Hopefully Sidewinder will still be around when my son turns 9 and runs his first boat.

Why wouldnt you support a manufacture that is stateside and from what I have heard, the SW is the hot motor running. Guess it just makes too much sense.

[14-H]

"**** If we are talking about a class that needs a new powerplant, the B classes is the most in need by far! I just don't understand why the Sidewinder was approved so quickly for A and 20 when the thing was not even close in the B class.

****...

This is 100% right on the money! APBA did not need a new A engine. If we wanted to replace the OMC with a new engine, the Merc is ready and available. What we needed was a B engine and that is STILL what we need!

[14-H]

Proverbs 16:18...

Hey Eddy, I have some humble pie left over, want me to send you over a slice?

"Pride is the deadliest of the Seven Deadly Sins." - Martin Luther

That was sarcasm. I was simply pointing out that, if I have recognized problems with the way the engine runs and the factory has not, there is a real problem.

Thanks for the lesson, though. Since I am a Catholic, I'm not very good at knowing my Proverbs.

[Bunker hill]

Strong Words

"For some reason Ron has been against the Sidewinder since it hit the water. Hopefully Sidewinder will still be around when my son turns 9 and runs his first boat.

Why wouldnt you support a manufacture that is stateside and from what I have heard, the SW is the hot motor running. Guess it just makes too much sense."

Pretty strong statement from someone who HASN'T seen or spoken to "Mr. Hill"
in more than 3 years!
This forum is not intended to be personal, so lets try to eliminate the personalities and get to the facts and opinions about the motors that are in question here

Bunker

[mercguy]

Irony????

"Pride is the deadliest of the Seven Deadly Sins." - Martin Luther

That was sarcasm. I was simply pointing out that, if I have recognized problems with the way the engine runs and the factory has not, there is a real problem.

Thanks for the lesson, though. Since I am a Catholic, I'm not very good at knowing my Proverbs.

hmmm.........very interesting you state that, as when a certain engine manufacturer noted a problem with their engine and setup, you decided that is was BS and chose to ignore it......

sounds like paybacks are a ........well, you know.....have a great day Ed!!

[csh2z]

Ed,
When you are proven wrong will you come back on Hydroracer and admit it?

[14-H]

hmmm.........very interesting you state that, as when a certain engine manufacturer noted a problem with their engine and setup, you decided that is was BS and chose to ignore it......

sounds like paybacks are a ........well, you know.....have a great day Ed!!

Telling me it is safer to jack the engine up is, BS! And I think I recall telling him that if J.C. came down here and agreed with him, I'd still think it's BS.

Same to you.

[Boatracer4fun]

"For some reason Ron has been against the Sidewinder since it hit the water. Hopefully Sidewinder will still be around when my son turns 9 and runs his first boat.

Why wouldnt you support a manufacture that is stateside and from what I have heard, the SW is the hot motor running. Guess it just makes too much sense."

Pretty strong statement from someone who HASN'T seen or spoken to "Mr. Hill"
in more than 3 years!
This forum is not intended to be personal, so lets try to eliminate the personalities and get to the facts and opinions about the motors that are in question here

Bunker

Bunker

I have been following the Sidewinder thread for the last 4 years. I dont run the class, or have any dog in the fight. I just like the idea that we have a US manufacture that Is producing a Racing motor for us in our back yard. And like I said before in earlier posts, it looks like the SW is holding his own on the water.

I sold my Stock equipment and look forward to Running Inboards in 2013. Your right, I havent talked to Mr Hill as you say in the last 3 years. So since I havent talked to him, that means I'm not allowed to voice my opinion?

So being you own and race the class "ASH" why are you against the SW motor? Maybe I'm missing something?

[Ron Hill]

Six Years Ago At the Winter Nationals in Louisiana

Six years ago, Bill Boyes and I went to the Winter Nationals in Louisiana via Iowa. We had a great "Road Trip" like the old days when we raced together.

I met up with the DeFebo's who I hadn't seen since 1967....The B Runabouts were running Hot Rods, and the DeFebo Hot Rods weren't running well in the first heat.

Phil DeFebo, rebuild one motor's carb and the other motor's ignition right before my eyes and between heats. The motors ran "LIKE A SONG"...I thought this was more than "WAY COOL"...

I watched those Hot Rods run in B Runabout, bottom fin, "Roll Ups", guys were driving those boats, not sitting like sticks. I liked what I saw, best raceing except Tammy's 20 Hydro and A Hydro races...

Ed Hearn wrote up an agreement between AOF and APBA (It was read and signed at the trophy presentations) that sounded fair, honest and good for both AOF and APBA. Ed Hearn's little Hot Rod powered B Runabout, I thought could be the future of Stock Racing, if someone made the motors.

On the ride home, Bill and discussed buying the Hot Rod Business. We figured Rod Zapf could throw in some money and my brother could throw in some and maybe we could build a NICE "B" motor. (NOTE: "B"

My time lone may be off, but we decided, if we wanted to build a motor, we'd start with anew piece of paper, and besides, the Hot Rod Business was sold......Again, I'll admit, I don't recall the time line.

I was working with Tammy Dawe in 20 SS Hydro and A Hydro, I think Tammy was third in "A" Hydro...I know she won the next year....

My point here: In all the Sidewinder talk, I never recall the "A" CLASS being discussed.

In March of this year, I emailed Ron Selewach, when I bought an OMC gearcase, I told him if he'd drop plans for an "A" and made a "B" only that I would buy six motors.

When did the "PLAN" change from "B" to "A" or was it always the "PLAN" for the Sidewinder to be an "A"?

So, just for the "RECORD" I have only been against the Sidewinder "A".................................and I'm not against it now, I just want it to have its own class, called 15 SS.

[bill boyes]

Another fine mess you almost got me into!!!!
Maybe the Market share in "A" in larger than in "B"?

[Ron Hill]

You Are "OFF TOPIC" Mr. Boyes.....

I'm having a hard time trying to stop laughing...

In the morning at the Winter Nationals, Bill left his phone in the truck. (But, I didn't know it.) Well, it got kind of cold, so I walked to the truck to get warm. I don't see Bill or get a call from him so I drove to the other end of the pits and "Hang out" with the DeFebo's and Tim Weber (Also Ralph DeSilva).

I sort of get cold, still no sign of Bill or a phone call, so I drive back to the other end of the pits.

I see Bill and say, "Where have you been?" He says, "I've been walking from one end of the pits to the other trying to find you. My phone is the car. And I'm freezing." Bill had made like two or three trip back and forth trying to find me....I told him, "Don't leave your phone in the car anymore."

Most trouble you got me into was when I bought everyone in the bar a drink.... in El Dorado, Kansas.

Sorry, to be off topic!!!

On the way home we looked like Sanford and Son. We had a 45 boat with Tony Lombardo's motor on it and a 125 CC Runabout on the back of the truck...............The trouble I got you into, Bill???