A Plan for the Future

[csh2z]

Axs

Had the class remained in the Stock Outboard category, it would have been a novice class. John Runne 2-Z

[Sean Augustine]

Making things right

Had the class remained in the Stock Outboard category, it would have been a novice class. John Runne 2-Z

So how do we get the AX classes back into the SO category and make it a novice class?

If not, why don't we revitalize C2H...maybe B2H...

Sean

[Brian10s]

So how do we get the AX classes back into the SO category and make it a novice class?

If not, why don't we revitalize C2H...maybe B2H...

Sean

Out west they actually used a C2 class to get brand new drivers with limited or no equipment on the water, in borrowed stuff. If memory serves (and you bestcoasters will have to chime in) they grew a whole group of new racers that then went out and bought their own stuff and started racing after the experience on running this. I think they ran 2" deep and the original 2 blade props.

[ryan_4z]

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

Exactly Joe, if it is not a Novice class, it is a bullsh*t class. I am all for a Novice A Class. I think our sport greatly benefits from having one. But it should be just that. It is just as demoralizing to get beat every week in ASH as it is to get beat every week in AXSH by Ron France. Sorry Ron, but you are to good of a racer to be put in league with the near rookies that predominantly run this class. Five years of non-J racing, and you are ready for ASH, if not, run in the back of the pack. But we must remember, WE ARE RACING HERE, and as we say(at least us pro roll up guys), rubbing is racing. So you have to be ready for a little bit of hard driving. And after five years, you can at least put yourself in a position that you feel comfortable in. I ran 20ssH a long time before I felt comfortable going through the first turn on the inside of somebody, so I ran the outside. You have to drive smart, because there are people pushing it in all classes, even AXS.

[Matt Dagostino]

Say What...

[QUOTE=ryan_4z]. It is just as demoralizing to get beat every week in ASH as it is to get beat every week in AXSH by Ron France. Sorry Ron, but you are to good of a racer to be put in league with the near rookies that predominantly run this class. QUOTE]


Since Ron does not own a computer or use a cell phone for that matter let me put in a thought in his defense. We love racing with Ron, George S., Jimmy Castleberry and other 'seniors' who elect to compete in a class that is 'manageable' for their point in life. For the record Val Dagostino has rarely lost a race to Ron. She has split heats and beaten him virtually every time out including being the fastest qualifier 'by far' at the 2005 National Championships at age 16. The AXSH class which we support week in and week out has turned into one of our more dynamic classes in the kneel down division. By putting it in J Class last year and lowering the weight it appears most 'prime time' Stock Outboard drivers have shyed away and left the class for the 'novice' and 'senior' competitors. The class leaves the door open to new drivers of 'all' ages to start and gives a diverse group of drivers a place to compete.

The J Class committee seems to have gotten this one right. Ron himself would admit ASH is now a handful for him at 70 years old. Running AXSH gives him a place as it does others in their senior years a place to race and be 'comfortable' and competitive. What do you want to do, run more people out of the sport? Running in the back of a pack of ASH's doesn't seem a good option for someone who still wishes to 'compete'.

We believe AXSH serves many people at different points in life and racing experience................lets look to expand it's base, not shrink it.

AXSH Dad..............

[Tim Weber]

I agree with Matt on this one. When I first saw AX classes I too, as Ryan, thought it was a joke. I am reformed!

My reasoning is this. In the old days of the KG-4 we ran much easier to drive boats and for the most part we were not going as fast. My ASR on a really, really good day was about a 49-50 mph ride. The boat was bigger than todays and was a roll up style with round chine.

Look back at the hydros of 20 years ago. We didn't have the extreme tuck under. Boats had deep, short sponsons, air traps were different and the boats didn't have the big hook in the bottom or step like Sam's boats. We could actually run in some really bad water.

Our new boats are faster but more difficult to drive, at least mine are when compared to the stuff from 20 yrs ago. Back then a good CSR would run about 58 now some guys are running as fast as 65-67.

Tim

[DougMc]

I ran 20ssH a long time before I felt comfortable going through the first turn on the inside of somebody, so I ran the outside.

It's good for me to see you write this - I thought it was just me and now don't feel so bad.

Each race I try to stick with the pack a little bit more. Started off with the start, then the first turn, second turn, etc.

[bill boyes]

Out west they actually used a C2 class to get brand new drivers with limited or no equipment on the water, in borrowed stuff. If memory serves (and you bestcoasters will have to chime in) they grew a whole group of new racers that then went out and bought their own stuff and started racing after the experience on running this. I think they ran 2" deep and the original 2 blade props.

WE call it Nor Cal 400 Hydro. 2" deep with the Yamato 2 blade brass prop.

[BP125V]

Axs

Quote from Ernie Dawe's J Class article in the current Propeller "I think it is important to note that the AXS classes are keeping the young ladies racing longer than if they had to jump right into ASH and ASR, and that was one of our goals. "

We are seeing that here in Region 7. Can't have an all girls class, so AXS is doubling as a novice class and a girls class. Leave it alone.


Bill III

[Sean Augustine]

OK, so...

that means we will have:

J
AX
AS
BS
20SS
25SS
CS
DS

and possibly 15ss...so now we have 8 (or nine) classes at a race without counting in the MOD or PRO category.

If our plan for the future is to have a place for everyone's equipment to race, then this class structure is fine - however, there should be no more complaints about the length of a race day, or one heat races on Sunday.

Conversely, if our plan is to decrease the number of classes while increasing the number of participants in each class - then Dana's plan looks more appealing. The fallout there is that some people with "obsoleted" equipment are going to get their nose out of joint.

What was the original intent of AX classes? Have they now taken on a life of their own? What, if anything, needs to change?

COMMENTARY: I ran CSH and C2H and yet voted for dismantling the C2H class when the time came: it had served its purpose of meshing the 302 with the 102 and then it was eliminated.

I believe C2H even had more entries than CSH at the Bakersfield nationals. It would have been easy to keep C2H due to the large numbers, but the last thing we needed was a class, with duplicate equipment, within our category.

Is there a similarity between that and the AX classes now? Or should we now, as I mentioned earlier, talk about duplicating classes with different heights, etc. so that everyone can have a class they "feel comfortable" in?

Sean

[Matt Dagostino]

Glad you said it...........

Can't have an all girls class, so AXS is doubling as a novice class and a girls class. Leave it alone.
Bill III

Yes. It also is a great place for women of all ages to compete. Heck, if you were a College or High School Coach you might be brought up on Title 9 charges and lose your job for that kind of statement. Excellent point however.

[ryan_4z]

Matt,

I certainly wasn't trying to imply that Valerie has a problem beating Ron, or anyone else for that matter. She is certainly in the upper eschelone of AXS drivers. But, while Ron may enjoy the more "managable" competion level in AXS, remember, he does still run ASH, and drives with the toughest of drivers. My point is, if its not a novice class, then we have nothing preventing from being a repeat A class.