BSR Sidewinder

[ryan_4z]

Dana,

I think you can run them on the same boat, but it's got to be a "B" boat. You wouldn't want to put the "B" on an "A" boat, like you said.

[jswain3]

I agree with Dom and ryan, growing up at races in the midwest the class that has always been the most fun to watch was BSR. I think a main reason why BSR is so special now is because it is a true "utility" class and you can't just put a side fin on your boat and float around a turn. You have to roll it up which I believe makes you in more control of your boat. In ASR how many people run a boat with bottom fin? I think its obvious which boat is more preferable to purchase when getting into the class. On a larger course (like at the NATIONALS), doesn't a boat with a side fin have an advantage? Correct me if im wrong, but hasn't it been a while since a roll up ASR won the nationals?

[bill boyes]

If I were to build a 20cu in BSR today it would be 10'6'' in lengh. 11' would be ok also. 10' is just too small. 6" does not seem like much but it is when you talk about planning surfaces and lift.
also i like the no side fin rule.
Someone said get out an old rule book. Good idea. bring back a depth measurement at midships.
the 20cu in Sidewinder BSR will be a great ride. Wish i were 30 years younger and 50 lbs lighter. I can do the 50 lbs but the 30 years?????

[ryan_4z]

I am thinking that maybe being a roll-up only class would help participation not hurt it. I bet a lot of new guys have no interest in getting into runabouts because they aren't all that different from hydros, just harder to drive. If runabouts were completely unique from hydros, i.e. no side fins, there might be more of an appeal there. I'd be willing to be that our BSR class right now would be clearly the biggest runabout class, if it weren't for the motor.

[dholt]

You guys are on the right track with the roll up only idea.

If a side fin boat will be allowed in "new" BSR, it will dominate on bigger courses...just like the ASR.

I tested my 15ci on our Z craft ASR boat in 1998 and saw 60mph...a full 1 1/2mph better than the Racecraft. And that was just 1 day testing with props we already had. Who knows how much faster it would have gone with props built for the wider bottom. And the corner speed was ridiculous.

Of course, I blew it over the 2nd heat I tried racing it.

Anyway...the last roll up ASR boat to win a Nationals was Mike Kench in 2002.
Prior to that, 1999 Jay Fox. So, only twice since 1996. That is no accident.

[14-H]

In 2002 when Kench won, it was rougher than crap; in 1996 when Fox won, the course was small. You have to have that recipe for a roll up against a flat-turner. Ed.

[14-H]

Back in the Old Days

My dad always had an A boat and a B boat. They looked essentially the same except the B boat was much heavier and slightly longer. They were definitely not the same boats. We don't want the B class to be using A size boats.

I agree with the statements that a true B class cannot safely use an A boat. Ed.

[Haüenstein]

I bet a lot of new guys have no interest in getting into runabouts because they aren't all that different from hydros, just harder to drive.

In my experience a flat-turning runabout is much easier to drive than a hydro.

But if everybody agrees that a roll-up only class would be super popular, then that's great, too.

[Andrew 4CE]

I've raced a side fin once or twice, side fins are much easier to learn to drive than a roll up... but once you know how to drive the roll up it's much more fun in my eyes. It feels more like real racing to me. Even more than a hydro. It brings racing to a game of mistakes, not always all out speed. It's possible for a slower guy to outdrive a faster guy sometimes.

I took me about 14 weekends before I felt very comfortable to dive on the inside of someone in a roll up. I dunno if I'm a slow learner or not, I don't take chances usually.

I have a runabout because they roll up... BSR drivers we're the coolest people alive when I grew up at the races.

[Blackhawkguy]

use the old "B" rules

My two cents

If you ever ran a 20 Cube hot rod it was a dream to drive, light, fast and a 200 lb guy could make weight pretty easy. I only ran a 20H twice in the marathon but it was still 40lbs hevier than the hot rod. Stick to these simple rules and you have a winning combination

1. 10 foot boat is fine, yes 10.6 is what most people ran but by letting them be 10 you open up the possabilty of someone stepping up from 15, or A

2. Screw the side fins, on a small boat that has a light motor they are not needed, remember the side fin came about on the bigger classes because the boats where harder to roll up

3. Anywhere between 375 to 395 for weight would be good. A big guy with a light boat can make weight and a small guy with a heavy boat can make weight, probably the old weight of 385 would be best

4. I do not think width or depth makes a lick of diference, the west coast guys like the bullet boats and the guys from the midwest and the east run more traditional runabouts, we also run in rougher water than they do most of the time. I do not think a small runabout is advantageous most of the time

I ran runabouts for 22 years from A through D, I ran 4 classes on the same boat one season. The best ever ride was a 20 cube rod at 61-62 MPH, it was an awsome ride then and could be now, don't screw it up

Just my 2 cents

Kerry

[csh2z]

It seems like the best way to generate immediate interest in the new "B" runabout would be to roll-em up at least to begin with and if there is a problem getting new drivers into the class, it could be addressed in the future. I personally can't wait to see "BU" again. Those were the good old days! John 2-Z

[greybeard]

Bsr

Blackhawkguy,
How ya doing Kerry?

That boat you had that was mine was about 10'3", and about 120lbs. Vic had to add a steel plate under the pad to make weight in BSR with it when he had it. I was less than 5 over in 25SSR with out weight added. It was a great ride even in 25, with a lighter Hot Rod... Sweetness.

Roll up the B, and the 15.

John

[Gunjumper]

I agree with everyone...

I think both the 15SSR and BSR should be bottom fin only. This makes driving ability as important as speed, so Mr. Richie Rich with his 47 props isn't just airing it out sailing away from the field. Don't get me wrong, the side fin on my ASR ain't movin, but rolling my Racecraft up last weekend was pretty fun. Man I hope Ponch has a 20SSR mold in the works... GL

[Hagerl 6M]

Wait! I don't understand.

I REALLY like all the support for the roll-up in the recent posts but............What is going on? I get the new engine thing but what about existing rules? They were voted on, passed, and implemented. Does a new motor for an established class bring with it a whole new set of rules?

What do you think?

[BP125V]

hey James

did you move to WI yet?

Bill