Record Race Timing

[dholt]

Just read the March "Propeller" and noticed the timing of a record race now begins with the first legal starter. Puzzling how the vote won't go to the membership...just decided by whom? The BOD? Do they really know what's best on this topic?

That aside...here's a couple scenarios I'd like cleared up by the proponents (who have been on here multiple times) of this new/old rule.

1. Tight group of boats approach the starting line. Timer, WITH THE NAKED EYE, has to determine who was legal in the mosh pit of boats/spray. Explain to me how that can happend accurately when many starts are reviewed for 1-2 laps before the legal/non legal boats are determined?

2. Timer, WITH THE NAKED EYE, starts timing the boat he/she thought was first legal. Video replay then determines that boat was illegal...and the first legal boat started 1 second or less behind that boat. Is the heat red flagged, thus screwing the true legal starters. Or is the heat run...but the first legal starter is screwed out of a chance at setting a record because he's not being timed correctly?

Exactly what was wrong with starting the timing of a race when the clock hits zero? What disadvantage were tardy starters at? Answer: you should be at a disadvantage! The whole point of a boat race is to get a good start..or you lose/don't set a record.

We're not running time trials. These are competition records...and part of the competition is to get a great start...right when the clock hits zero.

And don't even begin to say it's less accurate for a timer to hit the stopwatch when the clock hits zero. That is inane.


Ridiculous rule change. Pure and simple.


Dana

[dholt]

And if I read that article incorrectly...accept my apologies for the rant.

D.

[ryan_4z]

As usual Dana, you are right on here. I didn't know the rule was changed. I think I recall it being discussed in the SORC mtg., but I don't think anything was done with it there. There is certainly no way that this method is fair or consistent. The only benefit I can see is that now someone can pay the entry fee for a few people, and get them to jump the gun, so as to have the best chance at setting a record. Why would we want a rule that could allow this to happen? I cannot figure that out. This was definetly a big mistake and a step backwards for boat racing.

[Dr. Thunder]

Couple of questions ...

... The only benefit I can see is that now someone can pay the entry fee for a few people, and get them to jump the gun, so as to have the best chance at setting a record.

Always thought you needed at least three or is it four "legal starters" so gun jumpers don't count ...

Doesn't this new ruling just apply to pro races?

Doesn't the Propeller article say it will go to a vote of the Pro members?

Don't know ... just asking.

[Don11m]

Timing

Timing the race starts when the clock hits zero. It was talked about at the annual meeting at both the commissions and at the race management committee but it stayed at when the starting clock hits zero. The reasons it wasnt changed to the first legal boat were the same as the ones you gave in your post. There is a group of people that think records should be easier to break but most of the members at the meeting did not. its compitition records not time trials. Don Allen Sr.

[RuthieRae]

Ps

It doesn't get to be voted on by the members because it costs too much money for a mailing.........................well, that is a rumor I heard anyway.

[sponsonhead]

Say what?

its compitition records not time trials.

If that's true, then why have a clock start at all? Shouldn't it be a LeMans start?

R-19

[bill boyes]

It did not get passed the Race Management Committee. So the rule stays the same. "Race starts when the clock reaches zero."

[RuthieRae]

Screw it

You know, this keeps coming up over and over and over and over, and all anyone can talk about is how people "pay" entry fees for people to "jump" which is stupid, if you are going to do that have them at least be LEGAL.....So, while we are on the subject of things that are totally wrong, lets talk about the three day race in two days. I mean we have organizations doing this every weekend, running against four whole boats and winning high points because they practically force it with all these double triple extra point weekends. To me paying someone to start, and paying for extra points is the same thing. My point, there are so many things screwed up in this organization, we should focus on more than just this one topic. I think (keyword) that the article was based on the PRO category, which if they want it to go to ballot, so be it, they should. BUT I also am understanding that the BOD, almighty, is not allowing it to be put on the PRO ballot, of course this is just hear say, but whatever. There is another issue that needs to be addressed, we don't need another JPRO incident do we? What a mess....and yeah, I know I complain and don't take action, but so do 90% of the members so....let it go to ballot for godness sake it will probably fail anyway.

[888race]

Speanding Ourselves To Thin

we all have are wants and are problems and this would all make sense to me if we had plenty of racers , but we don't . when was the last time your club was contacted by any BOD to see where they could help you out or APBA for that matter. we have spread are racers to thin with APBA , AOF ,NBRA, and series racing so much that we have to pull diffrent catigories together in order to put on a race.You show up to a race with 3 maybe 4 boats and for what.but if you look at your region #'s lets say you have 12 boats , well 3 go to AOF 3 go to the local race and 3 go to a series race and some just stay home and some just leave the boat on the beach, this is how you are going to fix boat racing. get all of these boat at 1 race not 3 here and there. Look at the E pro divisonal the classes are split because the conducting club doesn't run 4 of the classes so they have to go some where else.New race sites is not the anwser nor is sponsorship or reduced entry fee or posters/ flyers tow money , price money , or management. the problem that I see is that we are not united and 1 local club can not do it . we need are elected officals who wanted to represent us to put there personal agendas aside and pull everyone back together as one. when you can get that accomplished I would bet that all of these other matters would take care of themselves. Ask your local elected offical to help you in this matter. I would have asked them at my race but they were not there . except for good old Howie

[RuthieRae]

Elected Officials...hmm

My understanding, and again...hear say....I wasn't in the room.....was that our elected officials wanted it to go to ballot because they didn't want to be voting on such a controversial issue, but somehow someone came up with the cost of the ballots at 5,000$ or some unheard of cost to mail it out. Which, we already have ballots going out so call me confused, plus, I do believe I pay my dues to be a part of things and be able to vote, so .39 cents of my membership, I think, could be used to send me a ballot...oh yeah, and the 5 cents for the envelope and the 10 cents for the sheet of paper. But, hey, again it its just hear say. Anyway, it is becoming clearer and clearer that our elected officials and representatives are just there to be on display, I mean the Pro category wants to put it to vote, so why not, whats the problem and whose decision is it to have a rule put on the ballot anyway, the pro category, the BOD, who? Okay, I will stop now.

[Ken G]

its about time!!

Ruthie I hear you, but honestly I dont think that our representatives are just there to be on display,, for the first time Im starting to see that they are just like you and me in the sense that they just wanta race and grow...Now here me out ,,I d like to commend Paul Hooten on his post about the "Divided and weve been Conqered" yep thats right just like he said,,Ive seen it with my own two eyes that this is what we have come to..I LOVE THIS SPORT,,,and its being stiffled by what, i dont know , but Paul is right weve got guys that go to AOF races but not Apba and vice versa and its hard to get enough boats together to make a good race that will grow in popularity so people will want to travel to and enjoy the competition.. some how weve got to unite and help each other out,change somehow,, MY Wife asked me this weekend as i would tell her stories of how 12 years there would be any where from 10 to 18 boats in my class at every race ,now 3 or4 She asked were did every one go and I told her that alot people split clubs ,,some still have there equipment in there garage but are tired of what ever B.S. they are sick of ,, any how lets figure out how to work together and every one will reap the rewards,,,,,this is the first year in the history of stock and pro racing (IN my life time 34 yrs.) that Lake Wales FL. Frostproof FL. and Avon Park FL. are sanctioned to have a race... lots of changes are going on in these neck of the racin woods, Frostproof has a new date ,no more competing with Lock Haven for the Labor day weekend spot,, weve put ithe race back to the first weekend in Oct. the dates are Sept. 30 and Oct 1 2006 Lake Clinch will be no wake from 10 a. till 4 p. patroled by Frostproof police in the fire rescue boat ,,in other words no boat traffic,.,.,.,AVON PARK Lake Tulane in down town Avon Park is a beautiful lake perfect for holding a boat race on ..having AP back on the schedule is like a dream come true,,, any one who used to race here back in the day can tell you ,,great course ..sheltered on all sides and tons of history,,,April 8-9 2006 If you have not raced at Lake Tulane (like myself I was 12 the last time they raced there)make plans to help support the work that has gone into getting these races put on ( I can asure you lots) any how lets have fun and enjoy the love of racing ,,,,be safe make fun Ken Godwin