A Plan for the Future

[ryan_4z]

I have put together some ideas that I think will get this sport heading in a positive direction. These are some things I intend on proposing to the SORC for this years national meeting. I would like to see what everyone thinks. In particular I would like to see a response from the commissioners, as they are the ones making the decisions.

Proposal #1-Class Structure/Legal Motors

ASR/ASH-OMC A, Hot Rod A Phase out OMC and go to Hot Rod as prescribed in Proposal 3
15ssR/15sssH-15 cu.in. Hot Rod
BSR/BSH-20 cu.in. Hot Rod
CSR/CSH-Yamato 102, Yamato 302
DSR/DSH-Merc 44xs
20ssH-Yamato 80

This is a proposed class structure to begin for the 2009 season. The Merc 25xs would run in BSR/BSH until this time. We will only keep 20ssH around until it dies out(refer to proposal #2), and then not replace it. This allows time for guys currently running 25 to make plans to get new equipment.

Proposal #2-Class Standards

In order for a class to maintain National Status it must have 40 active participants and 12 boats at the nationals. Privileges of a class with national status would include having an official National Champion, National High Point Champion, and recieving Hall of Champions points. If a class drops below these standard it would be put on probation, and follow the same procedures that were used when class standard rules applied in the past. If after any season a classes participation drops below 55 participants a special committee would be put together to research the future of the class. Look for new motors, etc., and make suggestions to the SORC on what to do to increase participation.

Proposal #3-Introduction of New Motors

Once a decision has been made to bring a new motor into a class there will be a 3 year phase in period. During the first 2 years the new motor will be probationary. In the third year both motors would be legal for competition. After the third year only the new motor will be legal, the old motor is now considered to be obsoleted.

Proposal #4-Promotional Booklet

A committee should be formed to put together a booklet to be given to prospective racers. These booklets will be provided to clubs for free to be given out to spectators at races who show interest in joining the sport. These booklets would include the following--

-History of Stock Outboard

-*Future of Stock Outboard*-this is very important as hopefully we are heading in a direction were we are looking more towards the future.

-Specific Class Information
-Engines-how long they will likely be legal in the class, what can be done after they are eliminated(Mod, etc.)
-Speeds, Competitiveness, Driver commentary
-Weights, Boat sizes, Motor weights, ideal driver weights(this information might better help a driver decide what class to run)

-*Free Advertising*
Provide contact information for-
Engine manufacturers-Bass Tohatsu D
-Ron Selewach Hot Rod
-Yamato Dealers
Boats-Any builder who want to be included must provide information
-Pictures, Price lists, write-ups about accomplishments, etc.

Props-Information on propeller makers

Safety Equip.

*Used Equipment Network Director*-It is imperitive that we get this network up and running. This will make getting good used equipment to new drivers. It is also important that we do not sell out of date, obsolete equipment, we have to help the new drivers as much as possible.



This is a post I made last year around this time. I have done some minor editing to the class structure, everything else is the same. When I posted it last year in the Problem Solving 101 thread, it got little response. I think that this is a layout that would promote the growth of stock outboard. In addition to what is above, I also think that it would be of benefit to the sport to keep a one motor per class class structure. This gaurantees motor parity. And there is never any question for new racers about which motor to buy. The only time when more than one motor would be legal would be during the three year transition period.

[dholt]

Good to see

Ryan,

Good to see someone else offer up an idea of what the future should look like. Surprised it's taken this long.

A couple of points.

1. I think you should spell out what the probation process is for classes that fall below your 40 boat minimum for National standing. That rule was deleted from the book. You'd need a rule book from the early/mid 90's to replicate what happened to a class once if fell below the minimum standard. I do know that the minimum was 50 when the rule was in place. At any rate, better to spell out in your new proposal what you feel "probation" means. Come up with a new "probation" process. This is the time for it.

2. What happens in 2009 (the year of the new structure) if there aren't 40 BSR's, BSH's, 15ssH's, 15ssR's, DSH's and DSR's? That is an extremely likely scenario. They go on probation for 2010...which obviously means they couldn't compete for a National award. You'd have ASH, ASR, CSH, CSR and 20ssH at the Nationals in 2010. Pretty weak event.
I agree there should be class standards...but it's a sticky situation. Be careful what you wish for in this arena. Takes careful thought.

Keep the thoughts coming. Bugs to work out...but forward thinking is absolutely necessary.

D.

[AJennings]

Why Dont We Just Waite

Why dont we just waite to see if the hot rod manufactors will help improve the bsr and bsh number of competers? Than see if the hot rod "A" will help improve the number of competers in ash and asr that will convert to a hot rod "A". But until than just leave it alone.


my two cents
AJennings

[ryan_4z]

2. What happens in 2009 (the year of the new structure) if there aren't 40 BSR's, BSH's, 15ssH's, 15ssR's, DSH's and DSR's? That is an extremely likely scenario. They go on probation for 2010...which obviously means they couldn't compete for a National award. You'd have ASH, ASR, CSH, CSR and 20ssH at the Nationals in 2010. Pretty weak event.
I agree there should be class standards...but it's a sticky situation. Be careful what you wish for in this arena. Takes careful thought.

Yes, if this plan were to be adopted, then that would be the case. With the potential for growth with the new Hot Rod and Dave Scott Merc, I don't think it would be a problem. The 2005 numbers are as follows: BSR-27 BSH-31 DSR-16 DSH-42. Now, taking into consideration the potential for growth, and the fact that we would have 4 years for these classes to grow, the only class I see being a problem would be DSR. Maybe we allow a couple of extra years for B(20 Hot Rod) as it will be a new class. But, if the classes don't grow by then to 40 boats, which is not a very big number for a national class, will they ever? If they are not big enough then they go on probation, and can continue to run on a local level, as individual clubs see fit. We have to raise the bar for these classes. If we do, I am sure that the racers will meet and exceed the expectations for growth. If the drivers of these classes see a horizon in the future, they will get guys rides in boats, and get them to race these classes. With Hot Rod in particular, I think that there are many drivers who want to get into these classes, but are unable to justify it with the current parts and dependability issues. With those problems being solved, I think that Hot Rod classes will grow enormously.

[ryan_4z]

Ryan,

Good to see someone else offer up an idea of what the future should look like. Surprised it's taken this long.

A couple of points.

1. I think you should spell out what the probation process is for classes that fall below your 40 boat minimum for National standing. That rule was deleted from the book. You'd need a rule book from the early/mid 90's to replicate what happened to a class once if fell below the minimum standard. I do know that the minimum was 50 when the rule was in place. At any rate, better to spell out in your new proposal what you feel "probation" means. Come up with a new "probation" process. This is the time for it.

I would probably go back to an old rule book, but as I don't have one it would go somthing like this.

If a class drops below 40 competitors nationwide, or below 12 at the nationals it would be on probation the next year. If the membership of that class did not grow back to the 40/12 standard, then the members of that class would have to show good reason to keep their probationary status the following year. As long as the commission approves probationary status, the class must simply grow back to the minimum numbers to gain national status again. If the class is denied probationary status, then it will be considered only a local class. Then the members of the class would have to petition the commission to consider re-instating that class, but they would have to show that over 40 members had participated the previous racing season.

[Dr. Thunder]

"J" Classes ... "AXSH/R"

Where do we see the JSH/JSR classes in the "Plan for the Future"?

Should the Merc 15 be the only allowable motor?

What is the future plan for the AXSH and AXSR classes?

What is K-Pro all about? Why doesn't it fall under the "J" category?

[G Stillwill]

The J is in a division by itself and by the numbers this year are doing well with both motors allowed. As the OMC is faced out of the A Stock clas the J classes is a place for it to go. Most of the time now there are as many AX boats as there are A stock boats sometimes even more in the east.

[ryan_4z]

Thank you Dr. Thunder,

Dad and I were discussing that very issue just last night, but felt it better not to open that can of worms. Right now, J/AXS are not stock classes, so they do not have a spot in the future of stock outboard, but, that is were the problem is. The "Universal J" experiment failed. J is in no way what it was supposed to be when that whole thing started back in the mid-90's. J is still no more than a stock outboard class, under a different name. The J classes should be moved back into the Stock category. It is our class, we should be able to have control over it's future. As far as AXS, it should be restructured as a Novice A class. No one with more than 5 years racing experience(othere than J) should be permitted to race in this class. If it is not going to be made as such, than it should be eliminated. My class structure for these classes would be as follows:

JSR/JSH/AXSR/AXSH-Merc 15, OMC A(until such time that it is no longer being run in A Stock)

I believe that American Hot Rod has plans of eventually producing a J motor. That motor should be considered and phased in whenever it becomes available, as it would be the motor of the future.

[Dr. Thunder]

George:

Why would we want to continue to use the OMC engine for J if it is no longer available?

How/when will the OMC be phased out of "A" ... with the introduction of the HotRod "A"?

Why do we still have the AX classes?

[G Stillwill]

If you look at the numbers in the AX classes just in AXSH there were 69 drivers that competted now if you were to take all the races that were run how much less money would the clubs and APBA have lost. Why with numbers like that would you even want to mess around with changes. As to why I said the OMC could move over to the J classes when the Hotrod becomes the A Stock motors it would still retain some value as a race motor instead of when that replaced the KG-4 and the A classes lost half the drivers as the KG-4 became worthless as a race motor. At least till the colectors started buying them up. Sometimes you have to watch what you wish for

[Dr. Thunder]

If you look at the numbers in the AX classes just in AXSH there were 69 drivers that competted now if you were to take all the races that were run how much less money would the clubs and APBA have lost. Why with numbers like that would you even want to mess around with changes.

I guess I still don't get it. Why don't the 69 drivers just run ASH?

[Charlie Pater]

Ryan - I believe it is important to keep the restricted Yamatos in the 20ssh class. They allow newcommers to race an added class with their C motor. There are several people that currently are racing restricted 102s and 302s.

Backing up and looking at the overall objectives of Stock Outboard racing, we want as many participants as possible. The 20ssh class has made a very good contribution to the boat count at nearly all races and the restricted motors have been part of the contribution.

From a technical viewpoint, I believe the Yamato 80 motor is and will continue to be the dominant 20ssh motor (especially Dana at 66 mph). The restricted motors can be competitive at local races where we need the entries.

Charlie

[Big Don]

I guess I still don't get it. Why don't the 69 drivers just run ASH?

Short and brief, and my boss thought I would get more done once the racing season ended. Yea, right.

We need something that goes between JH (39) speeds and AH (57?) speeds?

[Mark 72@E]

Dad Says

I guess I still don't get it. Why don't the 69 drivers just run ASH?

I can answer this one. My son raced for the first time this past Labor Day weekend in AXSH. At 14 he's too big for JSH. Even though he kept asking me, I wouldn't let him remove the restrictor on his OMC and run ASH. ASH is only a few MPH faster than AXSH but it's a CRITICAL speed difference for a new driver.

Secondly, ASH drivers are generally more experienced. Not by a few races, but by a few YEARS. That means tighter turns, boats running closer together, and tougher competition in general. None of this concerned him; it concerned >>me<<.

Eventually Austin will graduate to ASH. I feel that AXSH allows him to safely get the feel of things before that day comes.

[Joe J]

I guess I still don't get it. Why don't the 69 drivers just run ASH?

Neil:

I believe Ryan hit on something. AXH should be more of a stepping stone from J to An not just another place for an A driver to run.

Our daughter turns 12 next month, and after 3 years in J she is ready to go faster. Having AXH as an in-between class makes sense.

Joe