Growing the Sport

[BP125V]

What gets us more members right now, promoting the sport to prospective racers or spending years making rule changes to fixed perceived flaws with the sport? Even if you changed all the rules today it still would not get us more members tomorrow.

I would like to see us use HR.net to provide input and ideas to other racers/clubs on how and what we are doing to increase membership.

I’ll start with several examples

1)Ed Hearn wants individual racers to put people in boats. Ed has 2 kids racing with him (they are not his kids) plus I saw him let a 9 year old take out his boat at DePue this year. Ed fulfilled his promise.
2) Cooper Jess printed up some very nice posters advertising our Oshkosh, WI race this year. Several of the guys from that area posted 130 of them all around the town. Result: We had nice crowds both days and we were the only show, us and a Dominos Pizza stand that Joe Z. arranged to have present. Lots of the spectators came into the pits to talk to us and we gave them 2 sided color brochures that Paul Nielander designed and printed.
3) I have an interested party stopping by my house tonight to check out my racing equipment.

I know Andrew Fralick does a lot of promotion for the sport, maybe he could refresh our memories on what he does.

I challenge all of you to spend less time on HR.net arguing about nice to haves and get out there and work on the MUST HAVES. (no offence Dan ).

We all love boat racing, we just need to act like it. What are you doing today to promote your sport?

Bill III

[Andrew 4CE]

Some of the things I/our club do that I think help:

- share my speed/driving secrets with the new guy. I want to race against him, not blow his doors off. They'll leave quick if they are not having fun
- post current point standings for our Series races at each event. Even the guys way down the list are having points battles... they want to see!
- get my boat on display in any show that will have me. Home show, cottage show, hobby show, boat show, sportsmens show, what ever.
- make race posters for events 11x17 black and white... can get 1000 for $100.
- make "how to get into racing" posters and list all clubs in Ontario on it, list race schedule and breif concept of sport. Spread them all over the province marinas through racers.
- have a newsletter!!! Whether it's jsut typed or looks pro, you need something. about 40% of our club actaully races. The rest join for a newsletter. This is revenue!
- we have an annual spring swap meet open to anyone. we bbq lunch and pot luck dinner.
- we have a mid winter awards dinner to keep things social all year round.
- this year we had a motorcycle day trip for all who also own motorcycles. Racers are generally here for the good times as much as anything...
- our club has a website and message forum for the local guy.
- I have a catalogue of all boats, motor, plans, hardware, safety gear with contact names and prices that I know of at all events and shows.
- have flyers that give info on all approved race motors and what they look like and what a used one costs and what a new one costs.
- my race series collects money for charity... this helps you keep on peoples/towns good sides. where not making noise and leaving... we leave a cheque behind at the end of season for their branch of Meals on Wheels.
- I try to get a prize or cash to everyone who signs up to the race Series.
- try to make the race a fun time... get a band, or camp fire, or someone playing guitar or karoke...
- this year I started pushboat races... hope to have local scout troop involved at some point.

I dunno... there is more... but my lunch is over.

yes I do a lot... others do a lot too and in different ways. but MANY do nothing. All each of us has to do is a little thing once in a while to start making a difference. I mean how much efffort does it take to stick a poster up in your local marina or autoparts store... you'd be suprised how hard it is to get someone to do this.

[BP125V]

Fantastic!

Keep up the good work Andrew.

Anyone else?

Bill III

[Cameraboy]

Adopt a potential racer

We added a lot of new racers in Region 10 this year, mostly first generation folks. In general, it takes a village to make a boat racer. Some specific things that seemed to help:

1. Get them into a boat. The first ride is addicting. One more reason to shorten the race day and add testing sessions.

2. Follow up that boat ride - don't just give them your contact info - get theirs. Adopt the potential racer. Call them, e-mail them - bug them about coming to another race or point them to available equipment. I sold an A motor to a guy (he already had a boat). Didn't hear from him - he had dropped it and broke the skeg off at the bullet. Gave him contact info for several people who could advise/fix it. I need to follow up and see where he is at - gonna keep bugging him, because there is a demand out here for that mnotor - I don't want it sitting.

3. Help them get equipment - good equipment. We have four new racers via the HARM J program where SOA volunteers helped them build their own boats.

The Bryne brothers are poster kids for how to get started. They talked to people, went to races, asked questions and listened. They got good equipment. They're having a blast (time to get in the boat, Dan ).

We've got to get people sitting on raceable A motors to race them or sell them. I hear about folks with these things in their garage sitting for 5-6 years, and then watch new J folks struggle and borrow engines.

4. Get them no-pressure time to run the boat. Nothing worse than your first lap in the boat being a score up to the start. Again, shorter race schedules allow test time on race day. New racers won't always be fanatical enough to take off work for a Friday test day.

5. Make racing a fun experience. If the newby comes in a lap down, either the driver needs a pep talk, or their rig needs help. Make it happen. We all know there is no magic bullet, just wise investment and hard work (or that's what I keep telling myself ). Newbies don't have the wisdom yet, and the work is harder when you don't know what you're doing - try to make it easier for them.

6. Speaking of making it easier, if I can latch onto some Ron Hill stream of consciousness - look how hard we make it to get a good start in stock racing. Let's set boats and props aside - just look at motors:

A & J: OMC out of production, 14-20 years old. Motor needs to be blue printed, crank loosened to be competitive. If you don't buy one that's been done right, you won't have a good experience.

AXS: OMC same as above. Add Merc - motor is more available, help from APBA tracking them down. But they have to be run many hours to be loosened up, and there is honing work to be done internally - otherwise you won't have a good experience.

B: I don't think there is a B Stock rig west of the Rockies. Out of production. New one in the works, but when, how much? The speed for the class would seem to make it a good entry level hydro class.

C: The Yamato. The 302 you can get "new". But you need the foot shaped, the head cut, and (if it's out of whack) the crank balanced to really play. And then there's that pumping business. And out of production 102s are still faster in some cases.

D: Out of production Merc (except for Scott in Canada). Parts require effort to find. Tohatsu a possibility, but on probation and controversial. A big investment and uncertain future = not an attractive option (not that newbies should start in D anyway).

20ss: Yamato - 80, restricted 102 out of production. See C for 302, but pumping doesn't seem to be a problem. Actually a great entry level class, but what is the future?

25ss: The Merc (where you can find it) seems to be an advanced driver motor. Again, see C for the restricted 302, but like 20ss - what is the future?

Which one of these classes would you want to make your initial investment in?

We seem to focus a lot of rule changes on what is fair and equitable for people with existing equipment investment, which is important - but how do those decisions impact the people whom we want to make a new investment?

[14-H]

J Hydro Construction Project

Don't forget that one! That was a fantastic idea. So when will the J R project begin and where? ed.

[csh2z]

Mike, Excellent post. Your last 2 sentences are exactly why we need a long term plan 1st. That is where our initial focus should be at the national level. Bill and Andrew and the guys up in Wa. are doing fantastic at the local level to attract new people, that kind of effort is neccessary and should be applauded and duplicated everywhere. The commission cannot do that type of work, but we must find a way to help clubs with resourses (not neccessarily money) to enable them to be successful. John 2-Z

[Hydroglobe17J]

"Growing Pains"

Mike, Excellent post. Your last 2 sentences are exactly why we need a long term plan 1st. That is where our initial focus should be at the national level. Bill and Andrew and the guys up in Wa. are doing fantastic at the local level to attract new people, that kind of effort is neccessary and should be applauded and duplicated everywhere. The commission cannot do that type of work, but we must find a way to help clubs with resourses (not neccessarily money) to enable them to be successful. John 2-Z

Sure while you Guys and Girls raced the last 21 years I was just another guy on the streets or watching "Growing Pains" - TV Show! John, I believe I may have some good input on many issues; being away so long and now coming back, plus visiting many race sites and Canada too. I've seen good things that help promote racing and poor things that keep people out of racing or make them quit! Also, I got my little daughter in a JSH already this year and she loved it, right turn, dam and all! I for one have made many new friends this season and love seeing my old friends too; one idea I have now is to blend in my friends over the past 21 years with my racing friends, it works like a charm because humans are very similar!
11J

[14J]

What gets us more members right now, promoting the sport to prospective racers or spending years making rule changes to fixed perceived flaws with the sport? Even if you changed all the rules today it still would not get us more members tomorrow.

I would like to see us use HR.net to provide input and ideas to other racers/clubs on how and what we are doing to increase membership.

I’ll start with several examples

1)Ed Hearn wants individual racers to put people in boats. Ed has 2 kids racing with him (they are not his kids) plus I saw him let a 9 year old take out his boat at DePue this year. Ed fulfilled his promise.
2) Cooper Jess printed up some very nice posters advertising our Oshkosh, WI race this year. Several of the guys from that area posted 130 of them all around the town. Result: We had nice crowds both days and we were the only show, us and a Dominos Pizza stand that Joe Z. arranged to have present. Lots of the spectators came into the pits to talk to us and we gave them 2 sided color brochures that Paul Nielander designed and printed.
3) I have an interested party stopping by my house tonight to check out my racing equipment.

I know Andrew Fralick does a lot of promotion for the sport, maybe he could refresh our memories on what he does.

I challenge all of you to spend less time on HR.net arguing about nice to haves and get out there and work on the MUST HAVES. (no offence Dan ).

We all love boat racing, we just need to act like it. What are you doing today to promote your sport?

Bill III

Bill-

I agree with most of what you have said. I do however believe we have more than perceived flaws in our sport. I think we have some harsh realities. I don't believe membership efforts work independent of our other issues. We need to address product issues in concert with membership growth.

If we look at our “product” from a sales and marketing perspective I would challenge that ours is problematic. Regardless of the features and benefits if the products broke it’s not sellable. New membership is a sales effort. Can we sell the product we have today? In most cases I say NO. Can it be fixed? Sure, if we let it.

I agree with one of John Runne's posts in that changes without thought are not the solution. I do however think we need change and we must put plans into action. My fear is that we will all show up to the races next October and be exactly where we are today.

It's great to see the examples you've noted of people doing their part (everything counts). I believe there needs to be more changes at the 30 thousand foot perspective.


Troy Gladkowski

[Steve Johnson]

Flawed Yet.....

Despite what ever ails us remember that many people will still love us for who /what we are. Need to keep reaching out to those. Keep looking for those. they don't know us YET..
I've developed a very good relationship with a gentleman at LAMAR outdoor.
He is a motor head. He is involved in a boat race committee in Syracuse next year. SORC who do I turn this over to? I've done the hard work.
I sell the sport as kinda like a bunch of freinds traveling around following the grateful dead. yes the boats are neat, fast, but the best part is the campout/carnaval /family reunion party feel. cept for that annoying brother in law
remember I touched on many of these same issues in an earlier rant.

[kws]

Don't forget that one! That was a fantastic idea. So when will the J R project begin and where? ed.

Ed.
I think this is something we need to MAKE happen in every region. Ideally if eventualy every club could do it in their area. just think where that could lead

[csh12M]

Reward the sales team / pay for performance

I am in sales and sell for a living. I have a commission plan that has incentives for meeting goals. I have thought we could do something similar in S.O. For example, any club who can get five brand new members to race and join APBA in a season gets one free sanction. We can take the money from the S.O. promotional fund. The five new member’s dues over a few season pay's the money back. Ed took the first step and challenged the commission. Lets take another step and put a goal out for clubs and reward them for making it. Maybe then a struggling club is able to put on another race which also seems to grow membership. It may make our club meetings more meaningful. Instead of sitting around reliving the good old days we set strategy for getting five new members.

Set a goal at the club level and reward them for meeting it! Pay for performance, this would be the most direct use of the S.O. promotional fund.

Another idea, if you bring in a new member your APBA membership fees are waived for that year. This one would take more organization and possible begging with APBA but if you add one and waive one APBA is not losing any $. Furthermore, the next year they have truly increased $ by one membership.

Set goals and rewards that drive the sales team to get new members. This would be more effective, in my opinion, than spending that money on advertising. We are the sales team; now give us the commission plan. Evaluate it after a year and tweak it to drive the goals.

Just a ranting idea that I have had for a while....

[Steve Johnson]

Exactly

well said, $ makes the world go round I'd go a bit further and make sure every member has the Materials needed to recruite. Bussiness cards with contact/schedual. Club and Membership applications. Supplier lists, swap sheets ect. make this a contest. keep it fun but by all means reward the sellers. Ive spent close to 2000.00 of my own $ on the promo rig. Maybe the region shoud have an official mentor. Would seem fair to give that guy a break on his dues. ECT.....

[flaursen]

From a rookies point of view

I am a rookie to boat racing but not to racing in general I think that make time has to be made on exposure I for one did not know about the SO until I found this great site and I have met Steve Johnson from here
I am a boat person and "love simply messing about in boats" I have had a hard time making it to races casue I find about them to late and can not convince the wife we need to go on such short notice also I find it hard to believe that there are so many organzations to get involved with if you look at it this way if each organzation gets three members then thats how many??? there are only so many people intrested in boats for racing purposes especially when you have to compete with Nascar and fishing baseball camping and god knows what ever else I think that if all the powers to be got on the same page and presented it all as one front then it would look better for the rookie and also sponsors would be more willing to look at this a good investment for their buck but as it sits now one hand certainly does not know what the other is doing and even if they wanted to find out it would be very difficult
If you look at the Nascar model they combined five different series and made it one and racing has never look so good never mind the sponsorship opportunities and return on investment sure there were alot of grumbling at the start me included I lost my ride in Winston west but look at it today when this looks appealing for the investors the rest will come people need to have their 15 minutes when it comes to stuff like this or it is just something they do and soon after they will and do something else

Sorry for the longevity but from a rookies point of view

Frank Laursen

ps tell me what kind of boat to build in normal numbers and where I can find plans for said boat what size of engine cause remember us rookies only see whats on the store shelves not what is avalible on here or at some of the higher up offices

FTL

[G Stillwill]

Frank welcome to the world of boat racing. The class would depend on how much you weigh and size. There are quite a few on here that sells plans and kits to build boats plus already built boats. Just give us some of your details and you will be pointed in the right direction.

[sponsonhead]

Expanding the J Program

Several people have noted that the HARM J Hydro program was a success. The real reason it was was not necessarily because of the Hydro Museum or the people they brought in. It was because of the support given by EXISTING racers who went down there and worked with the newcomers. Tony Perman (who came up with the idea originally), Rocky Peterson, Carl Lewis, Jeff Kelly, JW Myers, and a number of other people who who came down and helped, once, more or 3-plus times to help get the project going.

And while having a facility that is as expansive and central as the Hydro Museum is certainly an advantage, there is no reason at all why the model of the program could not be emulated across the country in every area where there is outboard racing. There's nothing magical about bringing a quantity of 5 new boats and racers in....it could be done just as easily with 3, or even two.

I cannot think of any reason why this program couldn't work in other parts of the country. Picture if you will:

-A fleet of 3-5 Hemp or Pavlick boats coming out of Region 7

-Some Bennett Boats being built in Florida

-Some new Reed or Davids hulls coming together in NY

-Maybe a couple of J boats out of the Runne Shop in NC, or maybe some MJR hulls from the same area

-Heck, Bill Boyes could easily bang out a couple of J-size boats in his shop in Cali

The point being is that Region, SOA, or the Hydro Museum certainly doesn't have to corner the market on this program. There's plenty of other boat builders, people with garage or shop space, and current racers to get this project off the ground wherever outboard racing exists.

I'd like to challenge the other racers in other parts of the country to set up your own J Hydro project. Feel free to email me off line if you'd like more info; or call David Williams at the Hydro Museum in Seattle-- (206) 764-9453; and I'm sure he can offer suggestions on how you can make a program like this work in your area.

R-19