To all Stock Commissioners

[Fast Jack]

With all the talk about the 102-302 and how the Runabouts should be powered , My proposal may have been lost, Please look at the proposal in plan D to allow the Merc to run the A classes at the AX weight. The Merc was origionally sold as a J and A motor . It would not run with the A class with the OMC motor so AX was developed. The Merc has become faster and now the AX and A seeds are very close. The Merc is a legal motor in A and with a reduction in weight could be competative. Allowing this reduction would allow a seemless transition between the 2 classes for the Merc owner, allowing AX racers to move up in class without having to purchase another motor. And I think we would see larger A classes at local races, and allow familys to run another driver in the same rig. At many races there are reduced fees for the 3 rd or 4 th class, this is an incentive to put more boats on the water and help the event break even ,or make a few dollars for the clubs . Thanks , Shawn

[j hydro racer]

Shorter day

Many clubs talk about cutting classes and trying to make the day shorter. So what your basically saying, why even have the ax class anymore? If its running at a lower weight in the A class what makes it any different then Ax? Keep in mind I run both of these classes, yes the mercury helps field A hydro's in region one. By the omc keeps field the Ax class as well so why not open the restrictor in the omc in Ax since your trying to even the playing field. I run my Axh at Ash weight(always have), I'm pretty sure it's competitive, shawn I'm sure you know that by now. A good mercury will run with the pack in Ash, I doubt it will keep up with the sidewinder so should we try and slow the sidewinder down to the omc or the mercury. If your reading this your probably thinking the same thing as I am and no matter what decision is made. There will be guys who benefit from it and guys who cry for two seasons about it. Instead of trying to change rules so you can compete go test there's always a mile and hour out there somewhere.

[Fast Jack]

A Merc

I do not want to eliminate the AX class. I want to make the Merc cometative in A . like many regions we are looking for new drivers- I have the "new Guy " coming to Standish this spring . If his wife runs AX he can run A. when their kid is 9 he can start J . 1 set up -- 3 classes - bang for his buck- SSOA has 6 more entries for the week end. Building the A class in Region 1 is another goal. I know some will disagree but there is some excitement in brand rivalry. Having the Merc- OMC- Sidewinder will have the watchers talking-- might bring in a new racer?

[j hydro racer]

alright

Well if said family was looking into starting, why wouldn't they buy an Omc? Still legal in J, Ax and A. Can be run on the same boat,and same prop can be run on the Ax and A. I'm not sure how your not trying to kill the Ax class, If the Mercury runs at a lower weight in A then whats the point of having Ax? It will be the same exact class. I really don't understand how you say it will be a seamless transition because there is no transition. Its the SAME. Do you really think a mercury will compete with a sidewinder? Not sure if you have seen one run in a couple seasons but the strongest OMC's have trouble keeping up. Keep things simple, sorry if that hurts your feelings. Race committees want shorter days, thus why class combinations and all that talk started. So just like you said the Mercury was created to run in A Stock but originally couldn't keep up. Now that their getting faster, Whats the need for the Ax class? Make the Mercury the choice motor of J and another option for A. If and when the OMC is taken of the the A class(which will destroy the class as a whole) the mercury can take its place. Just like I said in my previous post. There will always be someone left out, just like when the mercury took over in J, those who still had OMC's were basically left in the spray. I Know for a fact that there was one AXH that would run and did run in front of the ASH's in Region 1 and was sold. It's possible you just have to have the right motor and prop just like every other class. Theres no weight difference if you run a 102 or a 302.
Going go finish sanding the Austin for amod now, See you in the spring.

[G Stillwill]

First of all the AX class belongs to the J division which is a good thing second the stock division has no say over it which is another good thing as they would surly screw it up. The J division set its course for the future with the Mercury as the motor to have which is the new available motor not leaving out the 30 year old motor that still could be run. Now people know what to buy and that next year some rule wont be passed to change that. They got it right and the J division grows every year. Why in the world would you direct a new person to a thirty year old motor unless just to get into the sport cheap to see it they like it. Maybe one day the stock division will figure it out that the new available is the way to grow that class.

[Wild Bill 96D]

First of all the AX class belongs to the J division which is a good thing second the stock division has no say over it which is another good thing as they would surly screw it up. The J division set its course for the future with the Mercury as the motor to have which is the new available motor not leaving out the 30 year old motor that still could be run. Now people know what to buy and that next year some rule wont be passed to change that. They got it right and the J division grows every year. Why in the world would you direct a new person to a thirty year old motor unless just to get into the sport cheap to see it they like it. Maybe one day the stock division will figure it out that the new available is the way to grow that class.

(Why in the world would you direct a new person to a thirty year old motor unless just to get into the sport cheap to see it they like it.) ??? I think that is the best way to get new people in. Make it so cheep they can't pass it up. You guys are looking at this from someone who has been in the sport for a long time. Instead of looking from someone who knows nothing about the sport and does not want to spent to much money to find out that it is not for them. My 2 cents. I do not run A class so don't beat me up. WILD BILL