THREE HEAT RACING

[53-W]

we have used it locally a few times to make a longer program at sponsors request. Also as stated above we normally do run alot of classes and don't have time for it 99% of the time.
53w

[runabout333]

3 heat racing for the Nationals at Mt. Home could work as we ran a portion of the schedule over the course of 2 days. We had scheduled Friday for
any eliminations,, but due to lack of boats,,, we did not have to.. So,,,,,,,, 3 heats could work.

3 heat racing at an event like Grove, Ok. might make for a longer day as we ran the same schedule for both Saturday and Sunday.

One might have to think about having points for the extra heat if there are only 2-3 boats left to start the 3rd. heat.
I don't have a dog in this fight and will continue to support both NBRA and OBRA.

[DrRick34-0]

I would like us to consider the Long Course and Short Course Nationals to have 3 heats and be run over 2 days. (Let the normal races be run as they are which is two days of separate sanctioned races). I think the points should be doubled at the Long Course Nationals and the Short Course Nationals be 1 1/2 points... So if you won all three heats at the long course nationals you would get 2400 (400 X double points X 3 heats) points which is in comparison to winning 4 heats at a regular race and getting 1600 points. If you won all 3 heats at the Short Course Nationals you would get 1800 points (400 X 1 1/2 X 3). This way you would be rewarded more for winning the Long or Short course Nationals over a regular 2 day race at your local club race. Just a thought as we look at the 3 heat format. This will give us a good trial to look at for the next year.
Rick Miller
34-0

[LarryR]

It works out well at Kingston on Satruday because the heats are run off quickly, with little downtime even for patrol boat changes. Of course, if your kid sqeaks by the start by 1/2 a boat in the third heat, it's ZERO points for a whole day of racing, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. "I think that was a good experience for me", he says. Yup.

[DiGia54D]

Larry, in Kingston the 3rd heat was a one heat race. Thus 3 races in 2 days,They are talking about running 3 heats for the same race and only running 1 day

[LarryR]

Okay, gotcha. thanks.

[Larry M]

I would like us to consider the Long Course and Short Course Nationals to have 3 heats and be run over 2 days. (Let the normal races be run as they are which is two days of separate sanctioned races). I think the points should be doubled at the Long Course Nationals and the Short Course Nationals be 1 1/2 points... So if you won all three heats at the long course nationals you would get 2400 (400 X double points X 3 heats) points which is in comparison to winning 4 heats at a regular race and getting 1600 points. If you won all 3 heats at the Short Course Nationals you would get 1800 points (400 X 1 1/2 X 3). This way you would be rewarded more for winning the Long or Short course Nationals over a regular 2 day race at your local club race. Just a thought as we look at the 3 heat format. This will give us a good trial to look at for the next year.
Rick Miller
34-0

I would also like to try this out at both Short and Long course Nationals. The way it is now if the whole field jumps but one boat he has a lock on a National win no matter what he does the second heat, he doesn't need to race anybody just finish the heat. Now with the 3 heat format you will need to race every heat to win a National title. I never have raced 3 heats but I bet there could be some strategy on points and where you need to finish.
Larry Mac

[pops67g]

One of the things I think I hear in this discussion is that guys think they will get cheated out of time on the water if you run three heats and only run one day on the weekend. We run with the US Title Series and what I think many do not understand is that we run three heats of four laps each. That obviously makes 12 laps of racing per class per weekend. In stock and mod with two heats of three laps you still only get 12 laps over two days running a given class on both days. It's cheaper for the racer because you don't have pay entry for two days in the USTS. If the schedule is arranged right you can still put on a good program.

[Hydro doc]

I was always impressed with Fred Miller and his Dayton spring race. He ran 52 heats in a day, but few a few people didn't like his pushing which he had to do to get the race finished in often cold and windy conditions. I'm concerned about finishing the races at 5:30-6:00, many not getting home till 3am. Momma can get a little unhappy. We don't want to have our sport to push us in a zone where we say "I working too hard for the rewards". I know a few racers who have equipment, but can not race it because there is not enough time to make motor changes or they do not enough crew to make those changes. Look around you, there is only us watching the races at 4:00.