What happen to all the AOF racers?

[TardBoy]

Where were all the AOF racers in Bridgeport this weekend? Quote of the day "Here they come!!" Not!!!!!!!!!!

[AOFoffice]

It might be a little hard to tell an AOF driver. They look just like you. Wait they are you. Most AOF drivers also are APBA drivers too. I am recieving score sheets with the finishes of many AOF drivers at Bridgeport.
I think what you mean to say is where are the SLORA, CORA, NCOA, etc. There were AOF racers at Bridgeport.
We added Bridgeport at the last minute, and changing schedules is sometimes hard to do, let alone getting boats ready to race in two weeks. Next year we will need to give them more notice. That should help.
AOF Office

[pro350hydro]

Where were all the AOF racers in Bridgeport this weekend? Quote of the day "Here they come!!" Not!!!!!!!!!!

Most SLORA racers first race of the year is Elk River on Memorial Day weekend. This race was in the works for quite awhile, however for quite sometime it appeared as if it was not going to happen. NWC has an AOF race this coming weekend at Banks Lake, and I know a lot of people who won't make that one as well. But many are trying to get stuff ready. Sorry your dissapointed on the AOF turnout. I am also currious who told you that there was going to be a boat load of AOF drivers there?

Mike Sattler
AOF VP

[Cameraboy]

CORA was in the house

...and some us weren't ready. Made the 6-8 hour drive anyway.

The issue wasn't necessarily a club specific or organization specific problem (unless folks in charge of either made promises and didn't follow through) - just a basic lack of boat racer problem.

Racing starts earlier every year because that's when the water is available. And it's farther from urban areas because that's where the water is available.

It's disappointing enough to miss a heat because you're not prepared - it's even worse when you're letting other folks down because the loss of one boat kills national points or the class for the weekend due to the crappy turnout.

There's a lot of new folks coming into racing in this region. Maybe we'll get some fresh ideas on where and when to race so that we can have well supported races on both sides of the mountains.

done ramblin'...exit stage right, tail between legs...

[pro350hydro]

...and some us weren't ready. Made the 6-8 hour drive anyway.

The issue wasn't necessarily a club specific or organization specific problem (unless folks in charge of either made promises and didn't follow through) - just a basic lack of boat racer problem.

Racing starts earlier every year because that's when the water is available. And it's farther from urban areas because that's where the water is available.

It's disappointing enough to miss a heat because you're not prepared - it's even worse when you're letting other folks down because the loss of one boat kills national points or the class for the weekend due to the crappy turnout.

There's a lot of new folks coming into racing in this region. Maybe we'll get some fresh ideas on where and when to race so that we can have well supported races on both sides of the mountains.

done ramblin'...exit stage right, tail between legs...

I would be happy to answer any questions you have about lack of club participation by private email.

Thanks

[TardBoy]

As I counted it there were 3 AOF members there and 2 are SOA board members. Did I miss one or two people? Hahahah

[pro350hydro]

As I counted it there were 3 AOF members there and 2 are SOA board members. Did I miss one or two people? Hahahah

Tardboy,

Why are you so worried about the AOF turnout? Are YOU an AOF member? Why don't you Sign your name on your posts so people know who you are? AOF does not have a member by the name of TARDBOY....

Not sure why all the beef, but if you have one email me privately so we can talk like adults

Mike Sattler

[dt 01]

newbie here

I'm a newbie still i guess, but to me who care's what you are APBA or AOF ...i'm a boatracer and i just would like to thank who ever put's on race's and all the hard work to let me have a place to run on weekend's...and i know Dick did and DOES alot of work at this Bridgeport race and we as boatracer's need to show up!!! or we will lose another race site i joined both APBA and AOF this weekend...

Dave 68R

[pro350hydro]

I'm a newbie still i guess, but to me who care's what you are APBA or AOF ...i'm a boatracer and i just would like to thank who ever put's on race's and all the hard work to let me have a place to run on weekend's...and i know Dick did and DOES alot of work at this Bridgeport race and we as boatracer's need to show up!!! or we will lose another race site i joined both APBA and AOF this weekend...

Dave 68R

Dave,

I could not agree with you more. I myself am a boat racer as well, I just want to race. I am a PAID member of SOA, SLORA, NWC, APBA and AOF. Putting on a race is hard work and a very thankless job. I know as I have been there.

Mike

[AOFoffice]

You might get a surprise at how many AOF drivers were there once the points are posted.
One extra boat equals one extra boat. To me, that was a success. Sounds like the race was fun. No one packed up and left mad. Weather was good. Food was tasty. No one was hurt. Wow. What a good week end of racing!
Connie

[pro350hydro]

To all concerned:

Dick R. busts his butt every year with the Bridgeport race. This race has always been a low turn out for an SOA event. So, Russ Bircher tried to help increase the entries my making this an AOF points race as well. This took a lot of time to get approval from the board of SOA. It was finally brought to the east side of the state about three weeks ago as a green light. So just because no AOF drivers from the east side of the state showed up you are blaming the AOF drivers? This does not seem right.

Just my 2 cents....

Lets just all go race

Mike Sattler

[pro350hydro]

No one packed up and left mad.

Probably no protests either

[Kevin Martin]

troy

i see you poking dude but no need here, that race has been a dog since it's inception. you have a great race director, a great race site, and wonderful weather as i have personally attended every year but this one. the problem has always been your own club, supporting this race. i will admit there were a couple of individuals making promises of aof participation, however the aof drivers in the area never did, and i was there to witness it, made any committment to support this race. we did deal with a couple of your board members a few weeks ago attempting to get aof cards accepted at this race, as most of the aof drivers over here have no interest at all in apba points. we couldn't make a case to them that made financial sense to attend this race so early in the year. again i do understand your frustration but not your smarta$$ comments. as mike johnson said above this is not an organization, or club issue it's purely an attendance issue from all the drivers in the region. hell there's still snow outside my back door i hope those of you that did attend had a great time, and that the mexican food was as great as i remember!!!!! kevin martin your AOF SAFETY DIRECTOR

[sponsonhead]

Is Timing Everything???

My own opinion on why this race is a tough draw is because it is the first race of the year up here, and for whatever reason, people are never ready for the first race.

10 years ago, the first race in R10 was Newberg Memorial Day. Historically low boat counts. Nobody showed up. 3-4 boat classes. Last year, boat count was WAY up from previous years, and was about the 4th race into the season. And on the same Memorial Day Weekend, as it has been for about 60 years.

5 years ago, the first race in R10 was Kitsap Lake. First time back on this race site since we ran Meatball's pants up the flagpole about 15 years ago (but, that's a story for another time). Anyway, historically low boat counts at a race that was in the collective backyard of Seattle. Nobody showed up. In the years since Bridgeport became our season opener, Kitsap has been well supported with great boat counts.

My point is this: Maybe the problem is that it's just because it's the first race of the season and people may not be ready, no matter what the date; just because it's the first race. I have said to the members of the SOA Board (very tongue-in-cheek) that we should schedule SOA's first race for the first weekend in April, put it on the schedule, and then cancel the sanction the Tuesday before the race, just to get everybody's attention, since we seem to do pretty well 2 or 3 races into the schedule.

Do other clubs in other parts of the country have this problem as well? Just curious.

R-19

[pro350hydro]

Patrick,

I think you are on to something as far as timing goes. Memorial day weekend has been the first race for SLORA for years. This is when most racers on this side start the year out. I think part of it is a mental thing. SOA has always encouraged racers from other area's to come and run with them no matter the location. However, a good portion of our racers choose to run local AOF races and thats it. All that was trying to be done was give some motive for these people to race with SOA @ Bridgeport by offering AOF points and also to help increase the boat count on the beach for SOA. NWC has an AOF race next weekend @ Banks Lake and I personally know people over here who will not be attending a race until Elk River on Memorial day weekend. So the Bridgeport thing didn't work, but at least there was an effort made.

Mike Sattler