Exit Poll

[HRTV]

Attention drivers I thought it might be time to poll the drivers leaving the sport to get a database of information regarding why a driver has decided to leave the sport. This information is just as important when it comes to retaining current drivers and recruiting new ones. If you are not leaving the sport please do not use this thread for general conversation about this topic.

[greybeard]

Quit twice

Raced from '68 to '74. Was involved in first turn 3 boat crash in 25ssr at lock haven in 1974. Hit while in the water. All three drivers transported to hospital. Injury to another driver in crash caused me to quit...

Raced again in early 80's, was active for 3 years. Financially to tight to race with a young family...

Looking to race again. Thought that I had closure on this addiction but this &*%! web site drew me back in. Have equipment, now looking to make time for it.

[DougMc]

Maybe add a question such as, "I moved to a new city where there was no local racing or my class wasn't run in the new area."

My brother left because BSH wasn't run to Tampa, FL when he moved here in 79/80 and then too far when he moved to Key West, FL (or at least that is what he claims).

I left when I joined the Army.

[benf27]

Can't take the pressure! Nic Thompson?

[T Chance]

Why I quit

After 37 years of racing and having run Stock, Mod, Pro and OPC, I was just burned out. Tired of it. I'd won some - lost more. Took too much time. Took too much money. As the old saying goes: "Been there, done that, and gave the T-shirts to the Salvation Army". Now after a 15 year layoff because of this site, the Quincy site, and Boatracingfacts, I'm coming back next year with a Super E (APBA FE). And a year ago I didn't even know I missed it.

[HRTV]

After 37 years of racing and having run Stock, Mod, Pro and OPC, I was just burned out. Tired of it. I'd won some - lost more. Took too much time. Took too much money. As the old saying goes: "Been there, done that, and gave the T-shirts to the Salvation Army". Now after a 15 year layoff because of this site, the Quincy site, and Boatracingfacts, I'm coming back next year with a Super E (APBA FE). And a year ago I didn't even know I missed it.

Hey Tim,

Great story! welcome back HydroRacer.Net works!

[dg22]

too hard on the nerves with a young family.

[PBRSpecial]

New Job, worked weekends, finally retired, toooo old, no $$$$

[DiGia54D]

Been involved with racing since the mid 80's ( father raced in 70's ) and stopped in 2000. At that time I was just burnt out also. I think Me and Scott Clark raced every weekend from Camden, NC to the end of the year Camden race for a couple of years. At some point I hope to come back but what I payed for a finished Painted hull (with Hardware) in the late 80's to 90's now thats what a boat KIT costs. LETS GO LOTTO!!!!!!!!

[HRTV]

Dont forget to take the survey on your way out

[PopPop]

Dont forget to take the survey on your way out

Hi Dan, Only 26 "votes". Remember, the poll represents only those that have left boat racing and still keep up on Hydroracer.net. Some have moved over to OPC and Inboard. Maybe we could have a poll of the people that are still racing but think about quitting (their thoughts)

[HRTV]

Why don't we take a positive approach and change the thread to "Why People Started Racing"???

We have had multiple families get started in our Region over the last few years and all of them are having a blast racing. Let's ask them how/why they got started and then focus on that going forward!!!


- Mike Pavlick

Mike

I originally made this post back in 2006 and there is not a single thing negative about the poll at all, it’s called life and things happen it is the responsible thing to do and ask why? So that changes might be made in the future to help better the sport. You are more then welcome to create your own poll or thread but please do not interrupt this one with a completely different topic.

[blueskyracer]

I left for a few reasons, foremost probally cause of the lack of over the shelf motors and parts avail, even the "stock" motors need more done to them to make them run with the pack.
And I'm old now and the fun of boat racing doesn't out weigh the risk for me.

Why in the world did APBA ever let all of the changes be made to the motors in almost all of the stock outboard classes is beyond me.

Funny, back in the early 80's we took a box stock y80 and raced it- Humm.

Seems to me that racers fiddled out in the grey area, then got caught, then they would change the rules to allow the change on that motor & over time now here we are with really no "stock" motors

I have never been under the mind set that more speed means better racing, it does not matter if an Ash runs 58mph or 54 mph as long as their is a great pack of boats, and it is up to the driver to start well and race well.


If your ever going to save stock outboard racing you must get back to simple motors (nothing wrong with sidewinder as long as they LEAVE IT ALONE!) that the public can relate to IE-- convert a 2010 anything motor and see were it takes us yes, maybe a 4 stroke Ohhhhh. no - lol........
Then, do like they do in the J class, get props,put them in a bag and let em grab one out of a bag and thats what they run - sound fun?? well not to the guys who have spent 30 years tweeking their stuff but what we are talking about here is saving the sport of "stock outboard racing"

Bottom line, IMHO- back off the speeds in some of the classes with some stock stuff, run a toss up prop class, make it easy for the average guy to start being competive right out of the box.

So I went back to racing dirt modifieds at my local track, I can race every weekend, I can buy all my parts easily online from major brand stores, and I have a roll cage around me!

Not Biotch'en, you asked and I responded, I have more ideas but no one who is anyone in the world of stock outboard wants to hear about true change, if it stays the same, most of them win every weekend or close to it,- sad really

So perfectly said. I always wondered what "stock" meant in Outboard racing??? To me it was always the way something came from the factory.

[csh2z]

I agree, we've gone down the wrong road. I don't want to hijack this thread but with the new motors available it is our intent to leave them all stock from here forward.

[blueskyracer]

I agree, we've gone down the wrong road. I don't want to hijack this thread but with the new motors available it is our intent to leave them all stock from here forward.

John, I think we can discuss this further on a new thread. I will start one after I take the boss to lunch. If she is not fed she may cut us all off