APBA Board of Directors

[csh-2z]

Howard, thanks for your support. I knew I could depend on you. I promise not to tell Jan you voted for me.
Having never been on the BoD I'm not sure what kind of reception and support I will get from some of the more experienced members. I can only assure you of one thing. I will be as much of a pain in the ass to them, as you are to many of us. You and I are not that different, and I recall over the years here on Hydroracer we have been on the same side of many issues. The primary difference between us is more of a personality thing. I prefer to be optimistic and look for solutions, and you are more pessimistic and prefer to look for problems. Maybe if we tried to work together, we could actually accomplish something rather than just complain on the internet.

John

[hshawwpba]

Your funny, the day would vote for you is the same day I would vote for Hillary Clinton! as I said I will be watching for all the good growth and success of your efforts should be fun to watch. I do not complain I simply point out the facts and choose not to fall in line in a effort to make friends and be one of the "team" based on the membership and the number of votes cast for this crop of BOD members it is apparent the majority simply do not care anymore after the past eight years of decline and non sense that continues to be the norm at APBA!!!
Enjoy all the Wednesday think tank calls and marathon conference calls at least now dinner will be ready on time around here! =)

[Big Don]

Howard, the vote turn out has always been poor as you are well aware of. I don't think people care any less now than they did 40 years ago. the vote turn out has always been poor. I think we can all agree on that.

As for John or any one person making a difference. Going to be a tuff battle. But for the very reason John said above, is the reason I voted for him. He will be a pain in their ass and challenge the status quo.

Many of us agree with some of what you are saying, we just go about it in a different way. Keep doing what you do for Region 10, I know deep down you care about racing or you would not be on here making sure your voice is heard.

[John Schubert]

Howard, thanks for your support. I knew I could depend on you. I promise not to tell Jan you voted for me.
Having never been on the BoD I'm not sure what kind of reception and support I will get from some of the more experienced members. I can only assure you of one thing. I will be as much of a pain in the ass to them, as you are to many of us. You and I are not that different, and I recall over the years here on Hydroracer we have been on the same side of many issues. The primary difference between us is more of a personality thing. I prefer to be optimistic and look for solutions, and you are more pessimistic and prefer to look for problems. Maybe if we tried to work together, we could actually accomplish something rather than just complain on the internet.

John

Congrats John being elected to the BOD 3 SO guys but even Fairchild once & awhile drives one of Pavlics rigs & pushes it like hell.

[22W]

John,

I am sure your reception to the BoD could be icy as someone who can be a bona fide pain in the rear made it in. I sure don't always agree with your point of view, but I have no doubt that you have the best interests of stock outboard in your heart. That is why I voted for you. You represent what is best about grass-roots racing. Being honest, direct, effective, and caring. Give it everything you can and keep all of the late-night conversations that you have been privy to in mind as you do your best. Thank you for volunteering.

22W

[csh-2z]

Thanks Ryan. I appreciate your support.

[hshawwpba]

My name is John Runne and I am seeking support for the opportunity to serve on the APBA BoD. Many of you are familiar with my stance on many issues throughout the past 10 or so years here on Hydroracer. If any of you have any questions, comments or topics to discuss, I'll be glad to respond as soon as possible.

Fire away!

There is also a thread on the APBA social site.

The Sept. 2016 membership numbers are out APBA is down another 374 members this year over last year (2015 vs 2016), I can wait to hear your great plan on how to turn this around!!

This equates to:

7.3% drop in racing members
8 % drop in club memberships
13.6% drop in total members

OVERALL TOTALS
RACING	79	123	108	111	144	291	119	39	12	302	53	123	0	40	17	6	3	1570	1694
PARTICIPATING	11	27	39	42	45	110	32	9	10	212	19	25	0	12	8	9	0	610	790
ASSOCIATE	8	11	7	10	17	7	4	1	4	12	2	5	0	3	3	0	0	94	149
KIDS CREW	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	12
CLUBS	3	4	7	9	5	10	11	1	2	18	3	5	0	1	0	0	0	79	86
TOTAL 2016	101	165	162	173	211	418	166	50	28	546	77	158	0	56	28	15	3	2357
TOTAL 2015	103	191	196	203	229	467	217	54	23	659	79	178	1	44	43	27	17		2731

At what point does APBA become non solvent as a business??

Enjoy the ride----

[bmitch1]

By chance, got any column headers for your table? Thanks!

[Smitty]

[QUOTE=HRTV) I've been available to help since 2002, again sadly no one has ever reached out to me in nearly 15 years. [/QUOTE]

I once PMed you a long description of a couple of ideas I have, and never got a response. Maybe they were dumb ideas, but I would at least have liked to have heard why . . . .

[csh-2z]

Smitty, I just reread the post you sent me and unless I'm confused with another post you may have sent, there really was nothing to reply to. It was concerning some of the issues and comparisons between APBA, NBRA & AOF. If there was a different PM that you sent me, I apologize for not responding. However, I'd like to here any input you have that may help with our declining membership.

Howard, I'm as concerned with this report as you are. I certainly hope we can turn this trend around. What do you suggest we do?
John

[Smitty]

Look again, John, it wasn't meant for you.

[Racerkyle20]

MEMBERSHIP FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1, 2015 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
Regions	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	FO	TOTAL	TOTAL
RACING																		2016	2015
00000-SE	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	35	5	5	0	1	0	0	0	46	41
00800-VINTAGE	16	44	9	30	37	27	9	6	5	57	1	3	0	3	1	1	1	250	259
01000-I	2	17	42	36	20	49	9	3	2	74	10	43	0	10	0	4	0	321	390
02000-IE	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	1	31	0	0	0	1	0	36	42
04000-PRO	4	3	2	1	7	9	7	0	0	16	4	2	0	2	1	0	0	58	76
05000-MOD	5	12	3	9	6	28	29	1	0	7	2	1	0	5	3	0	0	111	111
06000-SO	29	18	17	16	13	103	39	0	2	60	19	14	0	7	1	0	0	338	343
07000-OPC	0	6	1	2	19	23	9	21	1	11	11	11	0	6	10	0	0	131	155
08000-DRAG	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
09000-UNL	0	1	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	7	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	13	19
10000-SLT	4	0	0	0	1	24	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	29	24
11000-J CLASS	9	3	3	8	6	16	13	0	1	32	0	6	0	2	0	0	0	99	92
TOTAL	69	104	77	102	110	279	119	31	11	301	53	116	0	37	16	6	1	1432	1554
03000-OS	10	19	29	9	33	12	0	8	1	1	0	7	0	3	0	0	2	134	135
12000-R/C	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	3
13000-PWR	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
TOTAL RACING	79	123	108	111	144	291	119	39	12	302	53	123	0	40	17	6	3	1570	1694
PARTICIPATING
00000-SE	1	0	0	2	1	3	1	1	3	26	4	3	0	1	0	3	0	49	53
00800-VINTAGE	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
01000-I	0	13	25	27	7	47	3	0	5	101	4	6	0	2	0	3	0	243	280
02000-IE	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4
04000-PRO	1	1	2	0	2	0	2	0	0	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	16
05000-MOD	2	2	2	1	0	3	3	0	0	4	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	19	21
06000-SO	7	6	8	7	4	22	10	0	0	16	2	4	0	2	1	0	0	89	93
07000-OPC	0	4	1	2	13	16	8	7	2	4	4	8	0	6	6	2	0	83	84
08000-DRAG	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
09000-UNL	0	0	0	2	3	18	5	1	0	51	2	4	0	1	0	0	0	87	173
11000-J CLASS	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3
TOTAL	11	26	38	42	30	109	32	9	10	211	19	25	0	12	7	9	0	590	729
03000-OS	0	1	1	0	15	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	20	61
TOTAL PARTICIPATING	11	27	39	42	45	110	32	9	10	212	19	25	0	12	8	9	0	610	790
OVERALL TOTALS
RACING	79	123	108	111	144	291	119	39	12	302	53	123	0	40	17	6	3	1570	1694
PARTICIPATING	11	27	39	42	45	110	32	9	10	212	19	25	0	12	8	9	0	610	790
ASSOCIATE	8	11	7	10	17	7	4	1	4	12	2	5	0	3	3	0	0	94	149
KIDS CREW	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	12
CLUBS	3	4	7	9	5	10	11	1	2	18	3	5	0	1	0	0	0	79	86
TOTAL 2016	101	165	162	173	211	418	166	50	28	546	77	158	0	56	28	15	3	2357
TOTAL 2015	103	191	196	203	229	467	217	54	23	659	79	178	1	44	43	27	17		2731

Here are the latest readable membership stats. As you can see our membership numbers are really down in the Inboard category in 2016 compared to 2015. I would guess that's some flatbottom guys who did not join (because of the capsule mandate) and maybe some NE hydro guys going to the Canadian league (only my guess). As for the outboard guys we are pretty consistent. My guess why the pro numbers are down in 2016 are less USTS cross overs than in 2015. OPC is down 20 or so members and that would be the F1 group (my guess).

Participating members went down really in two areas H1 (86) and Inboards (33). Not sure why, guess the crews didn't feel the need to join this year for whatever reason.

In general our membership numbers are down every year and it is disheartening. APBA needs to make the barrier to entry easier and continue to try and keep the membership we have.

On a good note our Junior category went up 7 members! That is a good sign.

[GrandpaRacer]

Kyle, you are right about the J group! That is the future of racing and we need to focus on making sure we keep the Js thriving. Every year now about 20 of those J/AX drivers will be moving into the A classes. We have even seen the parents of J drivers stepping up into racing themselves! We need to keep that flow up easy and attractive. Keeping a good supply of motor choices as they move up will be important.

[Ram4x4]

Driver school, advertise, driver school, advertise, driver school. Get your boats to a local mall and on display, especially a few weeks ahead of a planned driver school. Make dang sure you have proper literature, handouts and sign-up sheets. Print up some business cards for yourself too.

I know 300ssh is the class being pushed for new drivers, but realistically, new drivers are more likely to go with what they can afford as typically money is the primary object in most cases. A new sealed 321 alone costs more than some complete used rigs for other classes, like 20ssh or CSH.

I still like the idea of a novice class ala what the region 10 guys are doing. This accomplishes a couple things; 1) new drivers get a chance to race with others at their skill level (i.e. they actually have a chance to win). 2) It gives their mentors and/or seasoned drivers in the class a chance to observe and critique and 3) heats can be limited to 6 boats so new guys aren't thrown onto the course with 11 other guys that've been racing for 20+ years.

Regions or clubs looking to create a driver school should get some sort of support from APBA, either direct $$$ or maybe subsidies on equipment. We need proper literature, rule books, etc. A school should have at least 1 C class boat for adults and 1 J class boat for the kids, a trailer, engines and safety gear available...for that purpose. I know many racers donate their own boats for the cause, but it shouldn't be that way. Believe it or not, "image" matters. What does it say to potential new comers when they see the club scramble to scare up something for them to drive? How would you feel if you decided to try sky diving and the drop zone folks wandered around trying to find a parachute you can jump? I'd wonder what kind of outfit that was....

Yeah, I know, money is the issue...see above about new drivers and what they're going to buy...but, we have ways of making money, we have people that build boats, we have people that might have an unused boat to donate or sell for a good price, the same for engines, etc. I've also heard the complaints about things like "But who'd keep the race school gear at their house?", "How will we get it to the next event?", "It's a PIA to get equipment to an event", etc, etc. Well, yeah, if you have the equipment, you gotta get it to the event. When you're the host club, you're bringing your equipment anyway, so what's the difference?

I see posts here all the time when a race is coming of someone needing a boat hauled, etc and it always seems to get done... Heck, I'll step up for my club. If TRORA wants to get a school set up, I'll store it at my place. I'm fairly central to the region 6 races and if I can't go to the event, I will at least haul it to someone who will be going to make sure it gets there. I will also volunteer to help at every school event when possible. We're member driven, WE have to be the ones to DO things.

[fbref5269]

here's my two cents on membership. the numbers are down however so are the race sites. there have been 2 sites that come to mind in region 3 who have cancelled races because of lack of participation, june loch haven and fall Millville. two nice race sites but if no one shows up the clubs putting them on take a bath. race clubs are not the federal government who spend money they don't have, we are talking about hard working people who spend a lot of time doing the legwork to put on these races and to have no one show up is a disgrace. lock haven over labor day weekend is packed! racers need to support the sites so the clubs can at least break even and maybe be able to put some money back into the bank account. has anyone ever contacted former members and ask why they are leaving? you need to identify the problem as to why they are leaving before you can come up with a solution.

frank novotny
52-E

[krazy karl]

Driver school, advertise, driver school, advertise, driver school. Get your boats to a local mall and on display, especially a few weeks ahead of a planned driver school. Make dang sure you have proper literature, handouts and sign-up sheets. Print up some business cards for yourself too.

I know 300ssh is the class being pushed for new drivers, but realistically, new drivers are more likely to go with what they can afford as typically money is the primary object in most cases. A new sealed 321 alone costs more than some complete used rigs for other classes, like 20ssh or CSH.

I still like the idea of a novice class ala what the region 10 guys are doing. This accomplishes a couple things; 1) new drivers get a chance to race with others at their skill level (i.e. they actually have a chance to win). 2) It gives their mentors and/or seasoned drivers in the class a chance to observe and critique and 3) heats can be limited to 6 boats so new guys aren't thrown onto the course with 11 other guys that've been racing for 20+ years.

Regions or clubs looking to create a driver school should get some sort of support from APBA, either direct $$$ or maybe subsidies on equipment. We need proper literature, rule books, etc. A school should have at least 1 C class boat for adults and 1 J class boat for the kids, a trailer, engines and safety gear available...for that purpose. I know many racers donate their own boats for the cause, but it shouldn't be that way. Believe it or not, "image" matters. What does it say to potential new comers when they see the club scramble to scare up something for them to drive? How would you feel if you decided to try sky diving and the drop zone folks wandered around trying to find a parachute you can jump? I'd wonder what kind of outfit that was....

Yeah, I know, money is the issue...see above about new drivers and what they're going to buy...but, we have ways of making money, we have people that build boats, we have people that might have an unused boat to donate or sell for a good price, the same for engines, etc. I've also heard the complaints about things like "But who'd keep the race school gear at their house?", "How will we get it to the next event?", "It's a PIA to get equipment to an event", etc, etc. Well, yeah, if you have the equipment, you gotta get it to the event. When you're the host club, you're bringing your equipment anyway, so what's the difference?

I see posts here all the time when a race is coming of someone needing a boat hauled, etc and it always seems to get done... Heck, I'll step up for my club. If TRORA wants to get a school set up, I'll store it at my place. I'm fairly central to the region 6 races and if I can't go to the event, I will at least haul it to someone who will be going to make sure it gets there. I will also volunteer to help at every school event when possible. We're member driven, WE have to be the ones to DO things.

In Region 11 we have the NorCal program and a new J addition to the driver's school thanks to Dan Wilde. I have taken over the NorCal program for the last two seasons. I reconditioned 3 boats and tuned up the four Yamatos. I have done this at my expense and haul them to the races. Previously Darrel Sorensen and Ken Christie took care of the program and volunteers hauled them to the races. I have done this when I quit racing due to age and couldn't take the CSR beating anymore. How ever since I am now over 70 I can drive a Sport C(Region 11 joke) and am buying one to race, probably next year because I am unable to get the NorCals and my own boat to the races. My biggest worry is who is going to take over the NorCal program? At this point I have no idea what is going to happen. This a major concern because this program has brought numerous drivers to the sport, including Tony Lombardo who most of you know and has even represented the US overseas. This not just a problem in Region 11 but throughout all of our regions. We really need support for these programs through a national program of some sort with monetary support included.
Sorry about the goofy symbols. Don't know why this is happening.   kk   

[daveracerdsh]

Very interesting thread. I do of course think the 300ssh class is possibly the savior so to speak of stock out boarding....more on that later. You know what I think is the biggest threat to racing? Video games. Up until last week I lived in an area with maybe 5 families with kids....ranging in age from 10 to 18. I always thought it was strange....aside from one kid you never saw any of them outside. I would have my trailer parked by house with d stock on it getting ready for a race, and no kids would come up and ask about it etc. I always found that strange. They were for the most part more interested in staying inside, on a hot summer day, playing video games. When I went to Hinton for nationals, a paid a neighbor kid, in advance, to mow my igrass. I showed him how to start mower, how to fill it with fuel, the whole thing. When I got home, he had mowed a small strip maybe 50 feet long up to the street, and left mower there. I was like....wtf....his mom said it was too hot for him to be outside etc etc. this is what we are up against.......

[Ram4x4]

I think you've hit on a significant issue here. My own daughter, although she does go outside and does participate at the races with us, does so somewhat begrudgingly at times when there is no signal at the race site. She moans about being bored if she can't have her face stuck in her phone.

There's definitely a generation or so out there that doesn't know what to do if they can't have constant stimulation from a computer game or their cell phone. I have to partially place blame on the parents here as well as some of them are just as bad. Children will live what they learn and they learn from their parents.

[john527]

This kind of goes along with people in patrol boats at races with their heads down on their I phones and not paying attention to the races!!

[fbref5269]

you know it's bad when the nfl has ads telling kids to go outside and play for an hour. when I was growing up we had to be called in at dark to come in for the night.

[ronronx]

Hopefully future J-Kids. Outside in the rain at Lawrence this year but I get what you are saying Dave. Even my two oldest grandkids in the pic have a tendency to want to play the video games a little too often.
Regards,
Ron M.

[john527]

Wow!! kids playing in the dirt...that's something you do not see much of anymore, Nice!

[daveracerdsh]

I noticed at HInton that a lot of kids were sitting around on cell phones all day...showed no interest whatsoever in racing. When I was a kid, I spend all summer outside....when it was time for dinner, my dad would whistle for me and I would come in, wolf down my food, and run back outside to continue playing. I knew it was time to come back inside when my dad whistled again...lol. It's sad to me that Those days are long gone. We had a neighbor that raced runabouts, and if his garage was open I was there all the time helping him. I was fascinated by the boats and motors......kids don't seem to care now. It's funny.....when I help with the Harm J build, you can almost tell which kids are going to race and which are not.....the ones that end up racing show interest, even if it's for a little bit.

[squirrelboydeluxe]

The days of a kid walking into a strangers garage to check out a cool boat are long gone. Thank the child molesters for that. Parents have pounded it into their kids' heads STAY AWAY FROM STRANGERS. I am in the HVAC service trade and in 5-6 houses a day. You can't even say hello to a kid IN THEIR OWN HOUSE without them running for their bedroom. Very rarely will a kid come down & watch you work on a furnace.

As far as attracting newcomers to the sport- the Novice C class far & away makes the most sense. This is coming from an actual newcomer(!)
In whatever motorcycle racing discipline you aspire to (motocross/off-road, trials, road, etc) you start off in C. NOVICE. BEGINNER. PERIOD. Bicycle racing is the same way. You are affectionately referred to as a SQUID.

Squids will go through hell & high water to win a $3 plastic trophy; a few are so happy to win their first one I have actually seen them sit down and bawl.
This emotional outburst is the culmination of (sometimes) years of trying- that you FINALLY beat 'em all. or at least some of them. You beat other squids-which is what sets the hook.
But gauran****teed they will be on the starting line the following Sunday.

I am not suggesting here that we start handing out trophies. What I am saying is trying to race against someone who has half a lifetime's experience on you is not particularly attractive to a squid.

Putting novice stripes on your helmet and making you start in the back is not the same (at all) as racing against other squids.

As Ram 4X4 correctly points out, most guys will buy what they can afford, not a sealed 321. 300ssh is a great place for squids with $$$; what we need to lasso is squids that are less well financed

Just my $0.02
522-P