2014 APBA PRO Nationals

[David Weaver]

The sanction is pending approval for this year's PRO Nationals. The dates are July 1-4th and the location is again Kingston, TN. Please note that the J classes are included on the sanction, so please bring the "kids" and enjoy the great racing and fireworks show.

There are many good reasons to attend this event:

1) Proven race site - Despite challenging weather, last year's event ran well for a first visit.
2) Great town for boat racing - The race course is located on Race Street! Kingston gave us a warm welcome and will again this year. There are numerous good restaurants in the area, as well as, hotels.
3) Tow Money - We will again be able to offer generous tow money to help defer travel expenses.
4) Fireworks show on the 4th - Last year's show was delayed by strong storms, but is renown for its spectacular fireworks. Plan to stay over Friday night and celebrate the 4th with our hosts.
5) 2 days of testing! Time to dial in new equipment, try new props, give a ride to a new driver, practice for the Worlds....There will be designated time just for the J's and the K PRO's.

Again this year, we give a big thank you to CVRA for use of their equipment. Following the race at Hinton this weekend, the safety boats and club equipment trailers were taken to the Kingston area.

A role call thread will be set-up shortly. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let us know. NOTE, with forewarning, we will be able to coordinate late registrations. You are not required to be at the race on Tuesday and Wednesday for testing.

David Weaver

[David Weaver]

It sounds like we will exceed last year's entry based upon e-mails, text messages and phone calls. I suggest that you secure your room reservations NOW! A lot of people will travel to Kingston for the July 4th fireworks and rooms will become scare. This is a beautiful part of the country, so come early (if you are not racing the weekend before) and get in some pleasure boating, fishing, hiking, golf, etc.

http://www.roanetourism.com/

http://www.tnvacation.com/cities-towns/kingston/

http://livability.com/kingston/tn

Based upon feedback to date, the big addition this year will be in the capsule classes. Additionally, the schedule will include the APBA junior classes, so this may give some our new drivers more boat time. Again this year, it looking that 125cc H, 175cc H, 250cc H, 350cc H, 500ccR, 1100cc R and the Antique classes will again have good fields of boats. We hope as many drivers as possible will be able to attend the USTS race in Winona and then come down to Tennessee. The calendar may help some, as many people will get the 3rd and 4th off as holiday.

DW

[David Weaver]

All, we believe that we may be able to secure access to one or two local machine shops and a welder for those that need to make repairs prior to racing. We are also checking on the availability of methanol. I believe that the teams from Washington purchased methanol locally last year. More to come on that.

[burl11]

All, we believe that we may be able to secure access to one or two local machine shops and a welder for those that need to make repairs prior to racing.

All of the following are in Midtown, less than 10 minutes from Kingston pits:

Doug Marshall Machine Shop 865 376-3916, also the Midtown Machine Shop and Welding is about 300 yards from Marshall's shop.

Big E's gas and convenience store sells only 100% real gas for OSY and J/AX drivers.

[epugh66]

I'm looking forward to the return of PRO racing to East Tennessee! Just two weeks ago, Knoxville hosted a round of the APR Superleague series. Looks like ET is becoming a hot bed of professional racing again.

[David Weaver]

More Information - There will be a dinner for teams on Wednesday night in conjunction with the drivers meeting. If you cannot make it to the Wednesday night meeting, please let the race committee know in advance. Again, we will accommodate late registration with notice. The schedule has not yet been set. We will conduct a role-call soon and begin to formulate the schedule based upon that feed back.

[David Weaver]

We have worked-up a preliminary schedule for July 3rd and July 4th. Note, the order of classes each day will be determined at the event based upon entries, engine changes, etc. We will have some flexibility to move around classes. This schedule is very similar to last year's for those classes that ran. Feed back from PRO capsule drivers, Antique classes and junior classes is especially welcome (others too if you see a conflict). No problem moving around days for capsules and antiques.

We will do our best to spread classes that use same boats or engines.

July 3rd

Antique C Racing Runabout
125cc Runabout
Junior Hydro
ASX Hydro
350cc Hydro
OSY 400
700cc Hydro
500cc Runabout
175cc Hydro
Antique C Service Hydro
250cc Runabout

July 4th

Antique C Service Runabout
125cc Hydro
Junior Runabout
ASX Runabout
350cc Runabout
500cc Hydro
K PRO
1100cc Runabout
1100cc Hydro
250cc Hydro
Antique C Racing Hydro

[raceright]

should think about 500,1100 hydro engine switch, maybe 500 on third and 700&1100 on 4th allows any engine switch to be over night, not between heats.as most who run 1100 will use there 700

[SeanT4]

Pat has a very good point, 500 one day, 700/1100 hydro the next. Thanks Pat

[SeanT4]

Plus J. Dub will be running 500/1100 Runabout, maybe a heat or two between that and capsules. Thanks for your work guy's.

[David Weaver]

Pat, good point. If that helps you guys out then no problem there.

[epugh66]

David, You have ASX hydro/runabout down..... That's the the no restrictor Mercury class, right? The Pittman's have a quick ASX-H. Do the unrestricted OMC's still run in PRO, and what class? Do the Mercs and OMC run together?

[David Weaver]

Eric,

I am not completely sure on the engines for each class. But, ASX does use the Mercs, I assume unrestricted. I do not know if the OMC's are used with restrictions also. OMC's still run in K RPO. I believe both the Mercs and OMC's can compete in Junior classes.

We would be excited to have the Pittmans join us for a couple of days. Bring the ASX and the OSY400!! Their stuff looked good at Hinton.

[Howie Nichols]

AX Class engines - Merc is unrestricted, OMC uses a 0.650 restrictor. Weight for the Hydro is 325 and 330 for the Runabout.

[burl11]

Big E's gas and convenience store sells only 100% real gas for OSY and J/AX drivers.

Gas update: Big E's Quick Mart is currently out of 100% real gas. Re-fill date is TBD.

Other local alternatives for 100% real pump gas:

110 Turbo Blue available at Pilot Station on I-40 at Lawnville Road exit; about 5 miles from pits.

For racers coming up I-75 from Atlanta etc., Exxon station at junction of Highway 58 ad 68 right on the best route has 100% gas in 87 and 93 grades. This station is about 18 miles south of the pits but right on the route for north bounders.