Bass Brothers Press Release

[HRTV]

For immediate release:
Submitted by Neil Bass

We at Bass Machines are frustrated with the undefined process of bringing a new engine to stock racing and our personal and company integrity was “slammed” at the last parity meeting. Though I believe many of the Commissioners heard our concerns and were willing to work with our proposal, the parity committee was particularly biased without reason or logic. I reject any logic that lack of technical understanding constitutes reason to be dictatorial. There were adequate competent persons offering information (data) that is totally counter to the decision made.

We, at this point Bass Machines, take great pride in being forthright and open with our customers. We are not interested in knowingly endangering our customers by supporting unsafe racing rules. Boat racing is already inherently dangerous without the added dangers of improper equipment use. To further encourage our customers to enter into a dangerous equipment set-up is against our personal and company ethics.

We will continue to make the Bass Tohatsu available, for racing in all organizations and classes. We now require all purchasers to sign and notarize a form, which makes them fully aware of the Bass Machines set-up requirements and the dangers associated with not following our requirements. We will no longer enthusiastically support APBA DSH. We will enthusiastically support NBRA, AOF, APBA Mod, and APBA DSR. Should in the future the SORC come to accept the Bass Tohatsu as an unfettered stock-racing engine (no parity committee) for the DSH class, we will then consider the possibilities of promoting that class.

Respectfully,
Neil Bass

[raceright]

For immediate release:
Submitted by Neal Bass

We at Bass Machines are frustrated with the undefined process of bringing a new engine to stock racing and our personal and company integrity was “slammed” at the last parity meeting. Though I believe many of the Commissioners heard our concerns and were willing to work with our proposal, the parity committee was particularly biased without reason or logic. I reject any logic that lack of technical understanding constitutes reason to be dictatorial. There were adequate competent persons offering information (data) that is totally counter to the decision made.

We, at this point Bass Machines, take great pride in being forthright and open with our customers. We are not interested in knowingly endangering our customers by supporting unsafe racing rules. Boat racing is already inherently dangerous without the added dangers of improper equipment use. To further encourage our customers to enter into a dangerous equipment set-up is against our personal and company ethics.

We will continue to make the Bass Tohatsu available, for racing in all organizations and classes. We now require all purchasers to sign and notarize a form, which makes them fully aware of the Bass Machines set-up requirements and the dangers associated with not following our requirements. We will no longer enthusiastically support APBA DSH. We will enthusiastically support NBRA, AOF, APBA Mod, and APBA DSR. Should in the future the SORC come to accept the Bass Tohatsu as an unfettered stock-racing engine (no parity committee) for the DSH class, we will then consider the possibilities of promoting that class.

Respectfully,
Neil Bass

Water seeks it own level and until stock outboard realizes this there numbers will keep shrinking. I applaud your decision to support mod and only wish there was a U.S. Mfg for the Pro Category. Stock means stock not parity(parity is kind of like affirmative action,doesn't work)

Pat Wright

[DougMc]

Maybe this would be an excellent motor for OPC 45SST to consider in addition to the others mentioned above.

[sadiemydog1]

Dsh

What a shame it has came to this. I guess Merc`s rule.
Art K

[KG4]

Thats why I'm done with APBA stock racing.I wanted to come back and race after 14 years away and after reading all the bull crap this winter I'm glad I'm done. Committee for this and that bull crap, I'm taking my ski boat and going bracket racing I just hope nobody gets killed this season with this parody crap.

[Al Peffley]

Tohatsu Press Release Comments

Neil & Sid,

Hang in there buddies. I like your honesty, style, manufacturing skills, guts, and the new motor products you sell. I hope Tohatsu is successful in expanding its customer market so that "professional" style stock outboard racing will still have a future across the US by 2008 or 2009.

Have you thought about promoting an IROC type of D class series races for the 2008 season? Maybe one of the successful D-stock class racing boat manufacturers would be willing to sell a build-to-spec DSH boat kit for the new series class (how about it -- Jon S and/or Mike J?) Maybe Tohatsu could offer up a new powerhead as the "grand prize" for the national/international DSH champion team! Tohatsu could also promote their recreational runabout motors at the national championship race site.

I know that some of us would support and participate in this kind of class -- You could start a "GP Series" of international D-stock outboard hydroplane racing. Think outside the narrow box that others have put you in...

Best Regards Always,
Al Peffley

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New replies have been added to this thread, this is a moderated thread so please be patient while all replies are reviewed before being posted.

[MGallagher]

Neil,
First, I would like to applaud your efforts and your patience in which I am sure has been a frustrating venture for you. I have been fortunate enough to be close to the "Sidewinder" project (not involved, but close) and have seen the difficulty's in getting the motor race ready only to have it questioned and mocked.
Secondly, I was wondering if some type of trade in program would help the situation. You could take in the old Merc 44's and use the parts or resell them as Mod motors. This would enable the Stock Outboard Category to make a complete motor replacement program with, lets say, a 3 year deadline.
Finally, keep up the pressure on the SORC and please do not give up on one of America's greatest racing categories, APBA Stock Outboard Racing. I was just talking to a Region 3 racer who is going to buy a Tohatsu and we were discussing how nice they are. I smell an epidemic in the Northeast of increased membership and participation, and with the new motors(yours and the sidewinder) I see nothing but an opportunity for growth in this dying sport.
SORC, keep your eye on the prize.

[DeanFHobart]

Thanks Bass Brothers

To Sid and Neil,

Thanks for being professional in your products and comments.

Apparently the APBA SORC, through the D Parity Committee, does not want
new equipment. Three (3) people on a committee is NOT a quorum.

To the D Parity Committee: " YOU DID NOT DO THE RIGHT THING". Period.

One thing for sure. D Stock Hydro at the SO Nationals, Moses Lake will be
interesting... If the Mercury Mafia has enough guts to show up.

Best Regards To All.

[mike ross]

Well Ed it looks like all that hard work was for not. I guess we should have followed the rule book to the T when thinking of introducing this engine like we did. All regions should have had a chance to see it run. Then all these issues would have been solved prior to letting it run full time. It's ashame as I thought the new height at 1/2 inch was pretty close to where most were running. If after the first few races were run and changes were needed we could have addressed them. Anyway I hope we see things get better. This argument over what is safe is in the drivers mind. I sure am not going to put my driver over what he feels safe at. Boat & Driver combinations are always going to be different. When I built my Runne copy out of Carbon Fiber it has to be set up completely opposite what the wood boat runs at. Maybe with some new boats being run it will change peoples thoughts on set up. Good Luck in the future Mike

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New post have been added to this moderated thread.

[nbass]

The Issue

Well Ed it looks like all that hard work was for not. It's ashame as I thought the new height at 1/2 inch was pretty close to where most were running. If after the first few races were run and changes were needed we could have addressed them. Anyway I hope we see things get better. This argument over what is safe is in the drivers mind. Mike

Mike, I can only hope that you are being sincere. Please read the below report by safety team member Bob Wartenger, and then tell me that 1/2-inch should be acceptable. The issue is that the parity committee has been ignoring the safety issue in favor of hindering the Tohatsu to where it cannot compete or be safe. The lower unit is a surface running unit and needs to be run at 0-inches below the bottom of the boat per APBA D-stock rules. I offered a better solution based on limiting the timing and that too was ignored. That offer is over, now run it unfettered or do not run it at all.

Dan, thanks for moderating this important discussion.
Neil Bass

Bob Warteinger Report

From: bobwartinger@XXXXXX
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2007 2:13 pm
Subject: Tohatsu Prop Shaft Height Testing

Ed, Mark, Steve,

I and Mike Kelly went testing (and both drove) Feb. 2nd at Silver Lake, Eatonville , Washington. We ran two boats with the same motor and prop. The lower unit was a stock Bass M-50 unit.

To summarize,
1.) the outfit doesn't handle with the propshaft centerline 1" below the bottom of the boat,
2.) tucking the lower unit more than 3/8" does not improve the stability(worse),
3.) at 1/2 " below the bottom of the boat, it's still unstable,
4.) at 3/8" below the bottom of the boat, the handling has improved,
5.) at 1/4 ", the skeg is very effective and the handling good,
6.) recommend 1/4 " for the minimum dimension between the bottom of the boat and the aft end centerline of the propshaft. This specification change should be made immediately. Continue to monitor this configuration during the season to determine if any additional changes need to be made for stability. From a safety/stability point of view, the 1" dimension that was specified has been shown through testing and a years worth of experience to be untenable. I believe that the 1/4" dimension & gt; gives a "window" of set-up variability that will allow a driver to find a stable set-u p.

In addition to Mike and myself, the test session was supported by Tod Cragin, Carl Lewis, Kyle Lewis, and Russ Bircher who provided racing equipment and a pickup boat.

If you have further questions, you can reach me on XXXXXXX.

Bob Wartinger

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New post have been added

[Dave M]

Seriously ?

Bob W. did the testing and handed down the reccomendation from a saftey standpoint ? And this was basically ignored ? I thought Bob was the head of the UIM Saftey rules.

Bass Brothers, to bad politics got in the way of a good thing. I feel bad for you, but can only offer up that you learned a very important lesson when dealing with the APBA Stock category. It simply is not the good old days any longer.

I hope all goes well in your other ventures, as you guys make top notch gear boxes and such. Lets hope your engine does well in the other categories and organizations and proves a point. From my thoughts, if I were to introduce a new engine I would certainly not want it handicapped to a point it could not kick some serious azz right away. Afterall, what is this boat riding or racing ?

[14-H]

Mr. Wartinger sent that information to me as an APBA member and not as a the head of the APBA Safety committee. Morever, Mr. Wartinger has never asked in his capacity as Safety Chairman that the APBA BOD intervene in this matter like he did with the ASH tuck rule. Interesting that Mr. Bass did not include any of the responses to this email that followed. The bottom line is that Mr. Bass wants his engine to go faster so it can be competitive with the Mercuries. I understand this and remain committed to ensuring this will happen. I have never guaranteed that it will happen on his timetable, however.

Mr. Bass: If you would like me to withdraw the request from the APBA BOD to approve the change for this season, please let me know. I'll do it. The height will then remain at 1" below the bottom with unrestricted timing for the rest of the season.

Also, Mr. Bass: you might run your press release by your company's lawyer and insurance company. You have just exposed your company to liability and possibly yourself to personal liability with these statements and your "release" will not prevent such liability from being imposed in some states like California where you have stated that you believe that you know that this is a hazardous set-up and you sell the engine for use in that condition anyway.

Note: I disagree with Mr. Bass that the engine is unsafe at 1/2" or 1" as I continue to believe that the trend towards lowering engines on the transom is in the best interests of saftety for competition outboards. The Stock Outboard Category of the APBA has been the leader in this area. All other Categories and Organizations have followed the lead of SO. Ed Hearn.