Future of D stock hydro/runaboat

[STEVE FRENCH]

There is another issue that has not been mentioned til now. Several of us are long time D drivers (and "long time" is the operative phrase) here in the Midwest. Our days are numbered in the role as drivers. We may have replacements in the wings or not as some of us have sons that run other classes or divisions. They may take over for us or they may not. D is NOT a class where we want raw rookies jumping in so forget that angle if you are looking for new drivers. The only logical source is in the ranks of proven drivers in the smaller classes. Over the years I have seen very few instances where someone jumped out of a C hydro into a D and I can't recall any who continued on in the larger class. Where do we go from here???

Pops,

I ran Alex's second rig (12A/"Mad Russian") at Lock Haven Last year and ran second to the FE's (combined classes including DMH) for two laps..
I had never been in the rig before that day........

Granted I have ran D-MODIFIED for several years but have always found the "D" class a much easier class to drive!!
Bigger boat, smoother ride, TONS easier on the knees for an OLD codger like me!
Cleaner/smoother water than the "Plow fields" the Yamato gear foot trenches.

Personally, in my "non-sensed" opinion, I would feel a ton less stressed putting a Rookie in DSH where he would have a good chance of running mid-pac much sooner, in a smooth ride than in back of the CSH field getting knocked around and possibly run over with 11 other rigs in the first turn, or the last turn being lapped.

CSH flat SCARES me!!.
I have several fast CSH boats still (3S-Pavlic/116N-Besoats) and both are now 25MOD rigs Just because CSH is TOO rough for this pair of arthritic knees!........
I can start out front in CSH, but by the second lap I'm just trying to stay out of the way, in the boat, AND dry.
I sold all my Yamatos to Jess Ward (15S?) except one for CMH/NBRA Mid-West events...... IF I ever find another CMH hull (that doesn't vanish) for it .......And have been looking at several DSH/CMH Aurltralite(speel chek?) carbon hulls that might give me and my fat/led(Lead) butt a chance to run both CMH or DSH.

[daveracerdsh]

I will post some in boat video from a test session a few weeks ago. Pretty cool stuff in my opinion. I still want to hear some ideas on how to get more people involved in the class. Dave

[westcoastracing]

as for region12 we do not have a class,But their is a particular guy out here that has 3 to 4 boats i think if he brought the boat or boats to our local races and showed people their is more to the stock classes than a hydro and chydro you might get some interest but just having them sit in the garage all year long except for the la boat show ain:t doing any good.

[daveracerdsh]

There used to be a big d class in region 12......

[daveracerdsh]

pops....that is a very interesting point you made. It does not seem like a lit of drivers go from C stock to D stock. There have been a few...but not many. I think the cost factor is a part of it. You can buy 2 complete 302 motors for the cost of one Tohatsu.....but so be it. And, there is a problem getting decent props. I have lucked onto a few good ones.....but just saying. From what a few racers have told me, it is not a whole lot cheaper to get a top notch D mod rig either......I had a long conversation with a front row driver, and was pretty shocked at how much he told me he spent to get a powerhead done. Not sure on props for D mod though. If we could get a series going, like we had with the Merc Challenge series back in the 80s and 90s, that would sure get things moving. Just a random thought. dave

[propfxrO84]

First of all, I have been racing since '91or'92 and doing rather well (trophy wise) I hope this doesn't hurt anyone's feelings but, the idea that you don't want to race "d" against a "rookie" sounds kinda crazy. These current hydros are really easy to drive, you don't have to be a expert to point it around the course and turn the wheel. Once again, it's not for everyone but, you certainly don't have to have "exceptional talent" to drive a race boat. I can say from experience that a open wheel dirt car or even a decent level full body car is much more difficult to handle than a D hydro and those folks welcome rookies with open arms!! Don't scare people off letting them believe that you have to have some rare skills to run this class. And, if I had it to do over again I would be running Tohatsu's (44 mod motors are not a "cheap" deal). I realize that this will not be a real popular opinion as people tend to want to feel like they are doing something amazing. Don't get me wrong, if you are going to win consistently you HAVE to be a good driver.

[daveracerdsh]

Good post prop....I suppose I am an average driver..a lot of drivers are better then me, a whole lot are worse. I do think you need a few extra skills to drive a fast Tohatsu d rig....Once in a while I will step into somebodies 20 hydro to make a class, and then run my d. I notice right away that things happen a whole lot faster at 80plus mph then they do at 60...And the Tohatsu does present a few challenges over a good 44 XS rig. The lower unit is way different, the motor has more grunt, but not quite the top speed. It took me a while to get used to the setup...and I sure did need a different boat then what I was running with the 44XS. All of that being said, I think there are quite a few people that run C stock or other classes that would be good D drivers. And I do think a rookie could fare ok in the class....but I am glad the SORC made it so you have to be 18 to run D stock. Dave

[Dave M]

Good post prop....I suppose I am an average driver..a lot of drivers are better then me, a whole lot are worse. I do think you need a few extra skills to drive a fast Tohatsu d rig....Once in a while I will step into somebodies 20 hydro to make a class, and then run my d. I notice right away that things happen a whole lot faster at 80plus mph then they do at 60...And the Tohatsu does present a few challenges over a good 44 XS rig. The lower unit is way different, the motor has more grunt, but not quite the top speed. It took me a while to get used to the setup...and I sure did need a different boat then what I was running with the 44XS. All of that being said, I think there are quite a few people that run C stock or other classes that would be good D drivers. And I do think a rookie could fare ok in the class....but I am glad the SORC made it so you have to be 18 to run D stock. Dave

Costs - Dave and Bryan, ANY motor you purchase for racing is expensive. If you learn a few skills and build it yourself it is not so expensive. So yes, Mod can be expensive if you pay someone to build all your engines. Some of the very best mod engines are ones that people build in their basement... with little more than files and dremmel tools. Need proof ? I can provide it.

[daveracerdsh]

When I bought my first race rig, a C stock hydro with a 30H on it...I thought..how bad can it be? It's just a fishing motor.....

[john527]

When I bought my first race rig, a C stock hydro with a 30H on it...I thought..how bad can it be? It's just a fishing motor.....

These were fishing motors once!

[ram95]

Since we're talking D hydro's.... Do any of you know who just won the Winter Nationals in D Stock Hydro down in Jesup GA this past Friday? Let me help. AUSTIN VANOVER !!! The fact that he did it driving "12A the Mad Russian", one of my RAM50 powered O'Connor boats..for the first time, causes me to have an emotional moment. I've experienced some highlights in my 70 years, but I will tell you that this event was the latest and greatest.

Rock on Austin... Rock on!!!!
Alex
"the Mad Russian"

[vanover7s]

Thanks Alex!! Had a great week for sure!! I'll be keepin in touch with ya.

[daveracerdsh]

Congrads to Mr Vanover.......

[propfxrO84]

[QUOTE=Dave M; Costs - Dave and Bryan, ANY motor you purchase for racing is expensive. If you learn a few skills and build it yourself it is not so expensive. So yes, Mod can be expensive if you pay someone to build all your engines. Some of the very best mod engines are ones that people build in their basement... with little more than files and dremmel tools. Need proof ? I can provide it.[/QUOTE] I used to build all my own motors in house. (As I own a machine/fab shop) but, finally came to the realization that my time was worth much more than the $5 hour that it involved to build a top shelf piece C-mod Yamato (20 hours on exhaust), & 44 merc (100+ hrs on every **** little piece) I don't mind spending $$ on proven winners engines!! & c'mon, let's give the motor building credit to whom it's due.

[propfxrO84]

Congrats Austin. Hope to see you this year. Bryan