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Wow... just spent an hour writing a reply and then hit post and poof! timed out!
Here it goes again... a lot shorter this time. And with less biting sarcasm. (You shoulda seen the post that almost was
)
This past season, 25 Runabout did not spontaniously combust, blow away the competition, or kill any rider who dared brave the wild Mercury. It simply became a better, more manageable ride. It even allowed some of us to run a little bigger boat. That is what needs to happen with 25H. Take it from the people who actually race the class.
When you run it unrestricted, the engine does what it is supposed to do. It speeds up, it slows down. It does both much better than it does with the restrictor plate in. Some people will say that the 1 or 2 mph top end gain will make it too fast. I say it has always been a 70mph class. If you only weigh 150lbs and you want to race a ten foot nothing boat, go race 15 er uh, BSH. This class should be for the bigger guys with bigger boats.
This is not a more dangerous class than any other. It has been successfully and safely run in the midwest week in, week out for a long time. It's perception of danger comes from when people who don't normally see it run come to the nationals. Let me tell you something... we ALL push a little harder at nationals. In 25 the year Dell got hurt I think most if not all of the people in the class had been racing for at LEAST ten years. NOBODY is going to give the other an inch.
Driving the current 25H is like this-
1.)Squeeze throttle
2.)Wait a loooong time
3.)Start feeling good 'cause you get flying
4.)Back off (Del and Joe Z notable exceptions)
5.)Wait
6.)Wait more
7.)Set boat, start turn, squeeze again (watch Joe pass you on the outside)
8.)More waiting, not much going
That is what makes the class difficult to drive. Let the engine breathe like it was meant to. If we ditch the plate, it slows down better. We will also be more willing to back off if we know there is power there to make up for being a tad conservative. I have lost interest in the class as it stands because I am too big. Open it up a little and you will see more participation. If you are worried about it getting too flighty, add 20 lbs., this may also bring in more people. Little guys with little boats will know when they have gone too far.
All of the 25H guys I know are in agreement on this. (Even the really, really fast guys!) Get rid of the plate! Make it that much easier to run both hydro and runabout with the same engine. When and if the Hot Rod gets going, make it a new B. Thats what it is anyway. Let it be for the 65mph, 160-180 pounders and make 25 the class for the 73mph, 190-220 pounders. This change has been too long in coming. Get it done!
Ryan
Here it goes again... a lot shorter this time. And with less biting sarcasm. (You shoulda seen the post that almost was
)This past season, 25 Runabout did not spontaniously combust, blow away the competition, or kill any rider who dared brave the wild Mercury. It simply became a better, more manageable ride. It even allowed some of us to run a little bigger boat. That is what needs to happen with 25H. Take it from the people who actually race the class.
When you run it unrestricted, the engine does what it is supposed to do. It speeds up, it slows down. It does both much better than it does with the restrictor plate in. Some people will say that the 1 or 2 mph top end gain will make it too fast. I say it has always been a 70mph class. If you only weigh 150lbs and you want to race a ten foot nothing boat, go race 15 er uh, BSH. This class should be for the bigger guys with bigger boats.
This is not a more dangerous class than any other. It has been successfully and safely run in the midwest week in, week out for a long time. It's perception of danger comes from when people who don't normally see it run come to the nationals. Let me tell you something... we ALL push a little harder at nationals. In 25 the year Dell got hurt I think most if not all of the people in the class had been racing for at LEAST ten years. NOBODY is going to give the other an inch.
Driving the current 25H is like this-
1.)Squeeze throttle
2.)Wait a loooong time
3.)Start feeling good 'cause you get flying
4.)Back off (Del and Joe Z notable exceptions)
5.)Wait
6.)Wait more
7.)Set boat, start turn, squeeze again (watch Joe pass you on the outside)
8.)More waiting, not much going
That is what makes the class difficult to drive. Let the engine breathe like it was meant to. If we ditch the plate, it slows down better. We will also be more willing to back off if we know there is power there to make up for being a tad conservative. I have lost interest in the class as it stands because I am too big. Open it up a little and you will see more participation. If you are worried about it getting too flighty, add 20 lbs., this may also bring in more people. Little guys with little boats will know when they have gone too far.
All of the 25H guys I know are in agreement on this. (Even the really, really fast guys!) Get rid of the plate! Make it that much easier to run both hydro and runabout with the same engine. When and if the Hot Rod gets going, make it a new B. Thats what it is anyway. Let it be for the 65mph, 160-180 pounders and make 25 the class for the 73mph, 190-220 pounders. This change has been too long in coming. Get it done!
Ryan
........"Hi my name is CHUCKIE.............WANNA PLAY???........
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