Axsh/r Weights

[Matt Dagostino]

Agenda.................

Wouldn't it be nice to see the Stock Outboard Chairman and the J Class Committee chairman post the National Meeting agenda to date for there respective cataglories on Hydroracer so the membership that follow our sport on this web site could be informed. That way members could comment and suggest additional items that may come to mind.

I believe one of the Categlory Chairman did that last year which I thought was very professional and informative!!

J Dad

[jpro60]

Some thoughts.

Let me first start off by saying that I don't have any real feelings one way or the other on this issue and I just wish to present some thoughts and ideas for the consideration of others.
As far as the issue at hand I could make points for either side and will. On the pro increasing weight side, it keeps more in the spirit of the original class, and helps people who are too large for the current AXS rules and haven't found a niche in A stock yet.
On the leave it alone side, whatever. That is last year I ran all year 25-30 pounds over weight and still got region high points, 2nd in National high points, 5th at nationals (After leading a heat which got black flagged due to camera malfunction on the starting line), and upped an old record of mine, which means I hold two records in the class. Also another guy who runs over weight, Kyle Hannon, holds most of the AXSR records. So my point is that if you have the equiptment, do your homework and have the driving talent weight isn't a huge issue.
Also look at other classes and the big picture, in C stock for instance, being over wieght, though still an issue, never gets this much attention.
I will however say that the only true feelings I have on the matter relate more to the class than the issue at hand (Prepare for a slight soap box or just skip past this paragraph). I personally find the Idea of the AXS classes as a "transition opprotunity" is laughable. I think that if that idea hadn't crept in somewhere along the lines this wouldn't even be an issue. Am I the ONLY one here who remembers the original ideas that caused the creation of the AXS classes. If memory serves (and it is fallable) the AXS classes were originally created by the Stock committee as a class for the developement of the Mercury 15hp engine. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I remember also being told that the class was initially only supposed to be temporary until the Mercury caught up to the OMC in the "A" classes. From what I've seen on the west coast and two trips to nationals since the introduction of the Merc it still hasn't quite caught up to consistent OMC speed (once again correct me if my observations are incorrect). So keeping that in mind I suppose the AXS classes can still be used to develope the Merc. My biggest problem is that AXS isn't being used for that and it is being used as a transition class. To me thats not keeping in the original idea of the class, but this is one of those things which has become the norm and isn't going to change. I guess my biggest argument against the use of AXS as a transition class is merely personal experience. I went from J to A when the only other option was J-pro (before Kpro). I ran J-pro for a year and learned a lot about racing with the bigger kids but also about how a boat handles at A speeds without the intensity of the A classes. I then started running A stock, and honestly even after a "transition class" the learning curve was really steep and I had a rough first few years. I guess what I'm really trying to say is that you can try to transition all you want, but its not ever going to be the same and kids are going to have to learn to drive in A stock mostly over again because its different. A stock is the first real "adult" class and is just fundamentaly differant from AXS as a result.
Simply my opinions stated as objectively as possible,
Mike Perman 32-R

[hagerl8m]

The AX classes

As a member who raced in the AX classes since they were created and was in the bar in Seattle when the class was designed I do have feelings on this issue. I think that the J committee has done some of what was intended of the classes. There were originally two intents for the class. One to create a place for JR and JH drivers to develop before getting into the Adult classes. Most people will say the biggest step in racing was the jump for the J class to the A class. Second was to create a place to use the Merc motor. I think that this has been accomplished. Anther point that this group made was they wanted to have a way to earn your way out of the class so no one would dominate it. They wanted to design a point system that was used. This idea I feel has been lost in the wind, although I still feel is a good idea. The intent of this class is to learn more about racing and speed before you jump into bigger classes, not just anther a class. I also disagree with mike; I know that since the second year of the Ax classes a merc has won either one or both of the titles. So I feel that the merc has come a long way. I feel that the J committee should look into a way of asking drivers to remove themselves from the class and keep it as a stepping-stone for bigger things. And as for the weight issue there is none, right now it seems to be just right.

Christopher
Green Boat, Yellow 8

[Liquid Force 80M]

Weight change

I would like the weight to stay the same.Lets hope are j committee feels the same.

[smccourtie]

AXS Weights

keep the weights where they are i only weigh 100 lbs. and have one year of "true" J left. I 've been racing AXSR for two years and have to put 30 lbs. of lead in. Wasn't the whole reason for the AXS classes to be a stepping stone class. if we up the weights all they will be is a slower "A" class am i right?