Name the New Club

[Tony Staron]

Guess I am missing something. How can it hurt?

Have you got a clue how many new sites AOF has found and new racers and then they flip on over to APBA?

90% of racers in AOF are also members of APBA.

[42R Dad]

Great idea Russ, another opportunity to go race your equipment at an affordable price. There are many new possible race sites on the western side of Washington State.
How about calling it Seattle Outboard Federation?

Jeff Kelly

[Tony Staron]

Jeff,
I like SOF. It is almost as good as CRAP
Cheaper Racing Association of the Pacific).

lol
I am sure with the talent you guys have out there, racing will be good no matter what.
Toe Knee

[Nilsen Racing]

Seattle Outboard Federation - That's funny Jeff

Great idea Russ, another opportunity to go race your equipment at an affordable price. There are many new possible race sites on the western side of Washington State.
How about calling it Seattle Outboard Federation?

Jeff Kelly

I applaud people like AOF's Tony, Connie, and now Russ that work their tails off for the "grass roots" racers across the U.S. You do a lot of work for very little recognition, thank you. So please understand that I'm not here to argue points or knock what you are doing. But I guess I'm kind of questioning the goals of a Washington State Area, West AOF group? We already have a very active and strong APBA Region 10 group - SOA, CORA, & the Newberg Boat Club, and a grass roots type racing group - Whidbey Island Roostertails.

I don't question what Jeff is stating, "there are many new possible race sites on the western side of Washington State", but what I question is how, when we have only so many weekends and only so many boats, can we insure enough participation to make them all viable? SOA, CORA, & Newburg Boat Club together...I'm not a betting man, but if a were I'd bet there will be no Region 10 co-sanction APBA/AOF races this year...will sponsor an average of two to three races a month May - Sept. And if you include Inboard Lawrence records race (5-6 selected outboard classes) in May, Stock/J/Mod Divisionals at Oroville in June, and Stock Nationals at Moses Lake, WA (SOA hosting) in August, this makes for a lot of APBA sanctioned racing opportunities and racing weekends for northwest outboard boat racers. Then if you add the Whidbey Island Roostertails, who run a their clubs schedule around ours, what dates are left or more importantly who is left without stepping on someone's toes? So I guess, I'm wondering what the goal of this group is?

Yes, we can talk about 65 AOF members on this side of the mountains, races that are money losers (eastern Washington, by the way), 90% of racers in AOF are members of APBA or that (like Mike Perman) my son raced one day (two heats) at the AOF Short Course Nationals so he automatically became a 2007 AOF member. But all of that is another topic. And Jeff, regarding J Michael (or anyone else whose passion is boat racing), I know he is like superman sometimes, but unless he is planning on racing at two places at once, I don't see enough weekends for APBA, Whidbey, and AOF unless they overlap.

Again, I don't discredit anyone or any group and maybe I'm totally off base or out of line here (wouldn't be the first time). I'm just wondering what the benefits and goals of a third Western Washington group are, whether AOF or some other group?

Thanks
Jim

[pro350hydro]

PORA = Pacific Outboard Racing Assoc
WSO = West Side Outboards
SORA= Seattle Outboard Racing Assoc
WOR = Wasington Outboard Roostertails
LROB = Lets Race our Boats
SRC = Seattle Racing Club

[pro350hydro]

Jim,

I agree with several points you have made and am also worried about the boats we have being spread to thin across to many different race sites.

However, I can't help but notice you quoting that the (eastern Washington side races) being the money losers. I have heard this comment many times (not just from you) but I always feel it is pointed toward boat racers on the east side. Is this true? If so, why is it that SOA has such a beef with the east siders, when there own members don't show to support their own club. Perfect example, was Mod divisionals last year when I ran FE Hydro.

Just my 2 cents

Mike

I applaud people like AOF's Tony, Connie, and now Russ that work their tails off for the "grass roots" racers across the U.S. You do a lot of work for very little recognition, thank you. So please understand that I'm not here to argue points or knock what you are doing. But I guess I'm kind of questioning the goals of a Washington State Area, West AOF group? We already have a very active and strong APBA Region 10 group - SOA, CORA, & the Newberg Boat Club, and a grass roots type racing group - Whidbey Island Roostertails.

I don't question what Jeff is stating, "there are many new possible race sites on the western side of Washington State", but what I question is how, when we have only so many weekends and only so many boats, can we insure enough participation to make them all viable? SOA, CORA, & Newburg Boat Club together...I'm not a betting man, but if a were I'd bet there will be no Region 10 co-sanction APBA/AOF races this year...will sponsor an average of two to three races a month May - Sept. And if you include Inboard Lawrence records race (5-6 selected outboard classes) in May, Stock/J/Mod Divisionals at Oroville in June, and Stock Nationals at Moses Lake, WA (SOA hosting) in August, this makes for a lot of APBA sanctioned racing opportunities and racing weekends for northwest outboard boat racers. Then if you add the Whidbey Island Roostertails, who run a their clubs schedule around ours, what dates are left or more importantly who is left without stepping on someone's toes? So I guess, I'm wondering what the goal of this group is?

Yes, we can talk about 65 AOF members on this side of the mountains, races that are money losers (eastern Washington, by the way), 90% of racers in AOF are members of APBA or that (like Mike Perman) my son raced one day (two heats) at the AOF Short Course Nationals so he automatically became a 2007 AOF member. But all of that is another topic. And Jeff, regarding J Michael (or anyone else whose passion is boat racing), I know he is like superman sometimes, but unless he is planning on racing at two places at once, I don't see enough weekends for APBA, Whidbey, and AOF unless they overlap.

Again, I don't discredit anyone or any group and maybe I'm totally off base or out of line here (wouldn't be the first time). I'm just wondering what the benefits and goals of a third Western Washington group are, whether AOF or some other group?

Thanks
Jim

[mercguy]

PORA = Pacific Outboard Racing Assoc
WSO = West Side Outboards
SORA= Seattle Outboard Racing Assoc
WOR = Wasington Outboard Roostertails
LROB = Lets Race our Boats
SRC = Seattle Racing Club

West Side Outboard Association...........WSOA

[Nilsen Racing]

Jim,

However, I can't help but notice you quoting that the (eastern Washington side races) being the money losers. I have heard this comment many times (not just from you) but I always feel it is pointed toward boat racers on the east side. Is this true? If so, why is it that SOA has such a beef with the east siders, when there own members don't show to support their own club. Perfect example, was Mod divisionals last year when I ran FE Hydro.

Just my 2 cents

Mike

No, on two fronts Mike. First, not all eastern Washington SOA races lose money. We had three races last year, Bridgeport, Warden, and Moses Lake. Bridgeport has struggled, yes. Warden was a new site last year, so I don't think you can judge it yet. The people that attended liked the site and we have tentatively planned to have sanctioned testing on Friday this year. So, I'm optimistic we will at least make ends meet. By the way, you looked pretty good in that FE. And Moses Lake is in good shape, Ryan Johnson does a great job putting that race together.

Second, any time you or any other of the (as you call) east siders make one of the SOA races, be it east of the mountains or west, great. My gripe, and I think many others in the club, is that we can't get some of our own members to drive 3 to 5 hours over the pass, even though they will drive 3 to 5 hours up or down I-5. I don't know, fear of heights or something Mike, but my finger is pointed at them not you.

Take care and hope to see you at a few races this year. Any chance of DePue?

Jim

[pro350hydro]

Jim,

Please also take notice, I was not the one saying SOA losses money. I have heard it many times in the past, but that is that. I'm glad you clarified things about the "east siders". I was not judging Warden, just using it as an example of being the Mod divisionals and having a poor turnout. As it was a site I tried to support for SOA. I also supported Scootney for years and no Pro's from SOA would show so this time I hijacked and FE ride so I could play @ Warden.

This year, who knows. It is either all staying in the shop till 2008, or I'll make a few races here and there. Depue, not likely now. I was thinking about Omaha, but i guess it is off the USTS schedule. I'll make it over at least once

Mike Sattler

No, on two fronts Mike. First, not all eastern Washington SOA races lose money. We had three races last year, Bridgeport, Warden, and Moses Lake. Bridgeport has struggled, yes. Warden was a new site last year, so I don't think you can judge it yet. The people that attended liked the site and we have tentatively planned to have sanctioned testing on Friday this year. So, I'm optimistic we will at least make ends meet. By the way, you looked pretty good in that FE. And Moses Lake is in good shape, Ryan Johnson does a great job putting that race together.

Second, any time you or any other of the (as you call) east siders make one of the SOA races, be it east of the mountains or west, great. My gripe, and I think many others in the club, is that we can't get some of our own members to drive 3 to 5 hours over the pass, even though they will drive 3 to 5 hours up or down I-5. I don't know, fear of heights or something Mike, but my finger is pointed at them not you.

Take care and hope to see you at a few races this year. Any chance of DePue?

Jim

[AOFoffice]

See you all on Sunday

[Cameraboy]

A lot of folks have been working hard to keep existing clubs and races going so that there are opportunities for racing outboards in Region 10. The clubs in Western Washington, Oregon, and Northern California work together to make sure that there are not outboard races on the same weekend. Hopefully, this new club will join that effort.

There are a few open weekends on the schedule. And sure, there are other bodies of water out there. So, four clubs putting on races for a set geographic pool of racers. Except for the handful that will race every weekend, racers will pick and choose their races. We'll see what the market determines, which clubs thrive, and which don't. I hope a lot of past work doesn't go down the drain in the process.

Good luck in your organizing.