Boat Racing's Direction / Survival

[Howie Nichols]

This is not going to be a popular post with some, yes it’s long, and yes it has several parts......

I was sitting here reflecting back on this year and years past and guess it finally hit home, WE have created our own problems within APBA. When I say we, I include myself in that problem. Let me say that again, I INCLUDE MYSELF AS PART OF THE PROBLEM APBA IS HAVING!

Last year in Dallas, I went in to the meetings with a proposal that some loved, others liked, some just weren’t sure what to think, and others downright hated it. This was (for starters) to combine the Stock & Mod categories. Word had gotten around about my plan and I did receive feedback both positive and negative about this before I even pitched it. I elected to change tactics slightly and had to modify the presentation I had prepared. I still pitched the combination but I also asked that the Categories look into the rule books and find out what rules were in conflict with each other, I know it was well over 20. This was received much better than the combination of the categories.

The Mod category adopted a resolution to review the rules and attempt to correct them and no longer conflict when possible. The Stock category had a rule on the table that went to a tie breaker; the tie was broken based on what the other category already had for a rule. I thought OMG, maybe we are going to make some progress here and we can begin to work together. In my opinion this is Step 1 in fixing the sport. I whole heartedly believe we need to fix ourselves before we even attempt to market this sport to anyone else. It should not be hard if we all just had a little give and take.

This was where it ended, unless a lot of behind the scenes dealings (which should never occur) have happened throughout the year. I am asking the Commissions to revisit this BEFORE Reno.

I would like to envision/challenge the Categories including PRO & J to arrive at the National Meeting and the FIRST meeting they attend is one with all 4 categories together (kind of like the steering committee) throw out what proposals are on the table, and reach a mutually acceptable agreement. What a novel concept, everyone, officials, drivers, turn judges, crewmembers, they all think alike and have 1 set of rules / guidelines to adhere to...

Unpopular decisions need to be made, but for those who think it was done out of spite or towards them they need to try and think, well what is the best for boat racing, not what is best for me.

Along these same lines, our Officials really need to stand up; I have been here as well. They do it out of love for the sport, but we have rules in place for a reason. If a rule is violated then it needs to be enforced, whether or not it is testing the day before, if it’s a local race, a divisional, a record run, or a Nationals.

I have seen way to many times that rules are passed over, or the violator was told don’t do that again or you’re out, don’t bring back that part to Inspection, etc... This includes Referee’s not making a call, turn judges looking the other way, Scorer’s not paying attention to Probationary/Prototype motors, Inspectors not doing a thorough job and letting “cheater” motors/boats go. This is not all of our officials but it is out there, if you look you will see it, and would be surprised at who it is both trying to get away with it or the Official who is suppose to enforce.

I guess this may seem like a rant, but some of what I am asking is that you do your part, whether it is on or off the water. If you feel a need to cheat go somewhere else, yes I said that too - I DON’T WANT YOU AROUND MY SPORT!
This started (for me) as a something fun to do with my family (and for the most part it still is), but I know we all spend way too much money, we go out try our best, and then get beat by a cheater?? Takes the fun out of it for me to know someone is that Inferior and needs to cheat for the self-gratification of winning, come on.........

As the year comes to a close and your thinking about what can I do, take a look, there is a lot! Review the rules; contact your commissioner with conflicting ones, or with new ones. Peer pressure - if you know someone who isn’t on the up and up, contact them privately and discuss it. If they feel like they need help to get out front, ask for it! Most of us will do whatever we can to help without advocating cheating.

At your next race, volunteer to help an Official, it doesn’t have to be all day, it can be for 1 set, or for 1 class. Everything you can positively do will bring the sport back for all of us to enjoy.

I am open for discussion, if you are posting please think before you do. Remember most of us on here are suppose to be friends of one another on some level.

[raceright]

Howie Read the APBA by laws And not the technical rules follow them and your APBA will be on solid ground once again.

[B Walker]

Howie,

I have known you and your family my entire life and know your heart and head are in the right place. I admire you for the efforts you have made in the past and are making now. I apologize in advance for my long response to your post.

As you well know I have been an advocate for fundamental change in APBA for a long time now.

APBA Stock Outboard Membership Basics

The Stock Outboard membership peaked in 1974. The membership has slowly decreased every year except for the often quoted 1985 resurgence brought on by the availability of the OMC 15. Since the late 80’s the annual decrease in membership has remained fairly constant. An analysis of the Stock Outboard membership base shows that there are 50% or so of the membership base belonging to multi-generational “legacy” families. This is the core of the membership. About 25% of the membership have been members for 1-5 years. About 25% of the membership has been members for 5 years plus and are on the way to becoming the core. Only a small percentage of members in the 1-5 year bracket make it to the 5 year + bracket. This shows a high turnover of membership in the first 5 years of membership. Said more simply, we don’t have a problem getting new members, we have a problem keeping them. The current solution is to simply fill the membership funnel at the beginning better through the Drivers School effort and NorCal Program. Time will tell the success of the efforts.

These percentages I have quoted are very rough estimates from my memory based on the Dana Holt statistical analysis from about 8 years ago. Dana, please feel free to weigh in with updated stats or corrections.

Membership growth solves all problems

Membership growth should be the guiding principle of every discussion and decision up for consideration as we wrap up the race season and enter the boat racing political season. Without growth there is only another year of the slow death spiral that has been the state of Stock Outboard racing for the last 40 years.

In Summary

Whatever is wrong with APBA has been wrong since 1974. There are two ways to look at that fact. What has changed in the world since 1974? Or what changed in APBA in 1974? APBA is a member run organization but there is no process for changing much beyond technical rules. We have regions with nobody living in them. Our representation at the region level is wildly unequal, yet every region (that has representation) has equal power at the negotiation table.

I am not advocating blowing up the place and starting over but I am pointing out the problems are bigger than some people cheating, volunteer inspectors not doing the job, and the natural process of "pre-negotiation" that is a staple of the National Meeting experience.

Real change does not happen until the membership demands real changes. Are we there yet?

Brad Walker

[14J]

Brad you touch on a great and often overlooked point. Retention. Focus on this issue and we will succeed.

[Dave M]

Catch & Release

We have practised catch & release for a long time. Boat racing has no problem attracting interest. Use an open trailer while traveling and you will get approached at every gas stop, rest area, food joint you break at. The most common response I get is "WOW, that fast in that boat ! " I used to think that was an awesome response. Like it was some sort of accomplishment. Well, time has taught me to not respond to that question with a yes. I simply answer we have different classes that go different speeds, fro, 30 MPH to 100 + MPH. It is a choice as to how fast you want to go. Most are relieved to hear this. it is ridiculas to think someoen is going to step in and run EH, or SEH right off the bat.

I can tell you one thing, from what i see in retention, the problem is not as bad as one might think. The thing I see that pisses off the most people, including 1 - 5 year members, is change. Lets face it, boat racing is inexpensive to kart racing, or car racing. But it still cost money, so cast that out the window. Most people that we are trying attract do not have disposable income like most 40 Plus year olds. So, when we make a rule that restricts, or cost them time to adapt to the change, it pisses them off. We make a height rule all of a sudden, so this poor guy has to go buy 4 or 5 props.... we make a pickle tip rule change, it cost someone who can't do it themselves a few hundred or more to take it to someone who can.

Here is a tip, and I beleive in this. All of outboard racing needs to pay more attention to the grass roots of their sport. Meaning, always have an engine in a class that is cheap, easy. Not everyone wants to pay 8K for an engine, or even 5K for an engine. We NEED to allow the older engines to compete, it will go a long ways in retention.

As far as the misguided refs,inspectors, etc, if you see someone not doing their task, turning the cheek, etc, then that person needs educated. Educate them. In private. Don't call them out. maybe they are not 100% sure on the rule, and I can one thing, none of us in the sport are 100% sure of the rules.... and that is sad.

Rememebr, this is a hobby, not a profession..... it is wise to remember this.

[csh12M]

302ssh

Brad you touch on a great and often overlooked point. Retention. Focus on the route causes driving this issue and we will succeed.

302SSH - It makes racing a fun HOBBY again....which is what I think more people want out of the sport.

This is the coolest experiment in SO, in my 30 years of racing. I think this will appeal to a LOT of people.

Imagine if we could handicap the weight correctly for 420 and 440. Then imagine if we could put in a restrictor that could slow it down to 42MPH for a J class motor.

From a selling to prospect point you could cut over half the cost out of the sport and make it a lot easier to compete. I know the SO purist's may not like it, but I KNOW it would fuel growth. Imagine a father/son or daughter, being able to compete in the same rig every weekend.

[propnuts]

Retention

That was the idea behind Novice C, we had too many guys getting tired of getting beat up in the back of the CSH class every weekend and quitting. Novice C has alowed us to save 3 racers BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION from quitting altogether, maybe more. Maybe focusing on keeping racing fun IS the answer to retention, might be worth talking about anyway.

[reed28n]

302ssh

It is gaining traction.... so we definitely have an audience. Don't change anything. Let it ride. Just see where it goes.

(why is novice C or norCal400 different?)

The guys beat up in C experiment happend it Region 1,2 and 3 a few years ago when a handful of guys jumped out of C and worked with Doug Pearsall and company to build 25XS motors on the cheap. The participation has dwindled but it was the same idea.

Two platforms has merritt where there is a new motor available, as long as the equal power that is equally accessible to all racers gets the APBA endorsement for the class. We need to promote a national platform of classes that a new driver can get horsepower equal to a veteran without tons of modifications or sorting through multiple motors to find one.

[bill boyes]

Novice C Vs Nor Cal
Why different? Well, Nor Cal was the idea of Darrell Sorenson. With Ken Christy's help and others, people donated some Sorenen older C hydros. We came across some Yamato 101 motors Darrell came up with quite a number of the Stock brass Yamato props. Nor Cal was born with some rules.
A fews years later Region 10 came up with some C Hydros and used 302 motors and Pinner 2 blade props.
Region 10 Novice C is a spin off off Noe Cal using more up to date equipment.

[propnuts]

Quick answer

Novice C is different in that any legal C stock motor can be run in the class. It didn't make sense to tell guys they needed to buy another motor to run, especially guys that are leaning towards quitting anyway. We needed a place they could run with their current setup.

It is gaining traction.... so we definitely have an audience. Don't change anything. Let it ride. Just see where it goes.

(why is novice C or norCal400 different?)

The guys beat up in C experiment happend it Region 1,2 and 3 a few years ago when a handful of guys jumped out of C and worked with Doug Pearsall and company to build 25XS motors on the cheap. The participation has dwindled but it was the same idea.

Two platforms has merritt where there is a new motor available, as long as the equal power that is equally accessible to all racers gets the APBA endorsement for the class. We need to promote a national platform of classes that a new driver can get horsepower equal to a veteran without tons of modifications or sorting through multiple motors to find one.

[propnuts]

One more difference

NorCal was invented to try to get new racers involved, Novice C was designed specifically to keep the ones we already have.

Novice C Vs Nor Cal
Why different? Well, Nor Cal was the idea of Darrell Sorenson. With Ken Christy's help and others, people donated some Sorenen older C hydros. We came across some Yamato 101 motors Darrell came up with quite a number of the Stock brass Yamato props. Nor Cal was born with some rules.
A fews years later Region 10 came up with some C Hydros and used 302 motors and Pinner 2 blade props.
Region 10 Novice C is a spin off off Noe Cal using more up to date equipment.

[brian]

Making these J rules so if you want two motors, 1 boat and gear will cost you 12k to race is crazy. Needing to find NOS this that and having custom rings cut etc just to be in the hunt is crazy.

Can we please level the field. Stop the crazy NOS part hunts and machining of rings etc...

[bill boyes]

What are you talking about??? Did I miss something.

[stevegray]

what you talking about?

I need me one of them yamato 101's

[Matt Dagostino]

Housekeeping Issues

Howie is correct..........until we clean up our own act, how can we expect to have a decent product to market to attempt to bring in new blood!

Since i have been around (1971) it has been business as usual. We spend 98% of our time yacking about the same little technical issues. The only difference between 1971 and 2013 are the players. As with any member driven club or organization, change is very very difficult. As Troy would say, Howie is 'spot on'. Boy do i hate that cliche!!....