Next years 60th Top O Michigan Marathon Nationals

[MGallagher]

I pretty sure Whitney Point is a very difficult race site to change the date, especially during the summer. The marathons have been the second weekend in August forever, right?

SpeedTV would be great! After we get them hooked on a prime time spot for the marathons we could fallow up with reoccurring spots on "Lucas Oil Edge" at 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, and/or 5:30. Plus, we could pick up a good sponsor(Lucas Oil) for any national series's(ie:Mercury Challenge) we wanted to do. Jumpin the gun a little, but just a thought!

[dholt]

Why not run Top O the weekend before the Stock/Mod Nationals?

There are never any other stock races in Region 6 or 7 that time of year (late July).

And conflicting with the Pro Nationals is not an issue. Two totally different participants.

Conversely, mid to late August is always full of regular races....so conflicts could be avoided.

[pearson95m]

The Top O date is based on the Nationals date. Its always (except one year - June) been the weekend after Nationals in recent history (since mid 80's).

We've talked about having Top O before the short course nationals, however the concern is that people don't want to beat up their equipment just before the short course nationals. Some to most run the same equipment for both.

[dholt]

I'd like to see the entry list from Top O and compare to the entries that attend the Stock Nationals on a regular basis.

I will bet that less than 25% of the Top O participants go the Stock Nationals.
And that is a very small total number.


Seriously...who is running their Closed Course Nationals equipment at Top O?

Let's see the entry list from 2007.

[AMod20HRacer]

I would run a 20H!

I'd like to run the Top'O at least one more time. I last ran in about 1965 ? I'd like for nostalgia reasons to run the same rig again ! I still have my BU Rinker and Mark 20H. APBA allows "antique" racing but I'm not sure how that plays in a Nationals event. Rule book states that "antiques" cannot compete for "national points" but doesn't say we can't race. Would the race committee consider adding a class for the Mark 20H? I'll gather up several others who I know would run again if we could run our old motors. All of us are current short course runabout racer's. This might be a great special event as part of the 60th anniversary..... we would be running 60 year old motors that first competed in the same race in 1958 ! Is their interest from other Mark 20H racers besides Steve Roskowski and me ? Mike Marshall, Raceboat61-S

Mike,
I think running the old 20H's is a neat idea. If this was allowed I would consider running in the marathon with a stock 20H. After hearing about how amazing the marathon race is from Steve Roskowski, I think Ian and I are going to run in it next year. I would love to run my first ever marathon race with a 20H.

Austin Duggan
78M

[Gootz 142M]

Don't move the Top "O" date back to June........They are not done clearing the logs out of the Crooked River that early in the season trust me on this one! ; )

[pearson95m]

You might be correct on that in recent history. Back when it was decided to run Top O after the nationals was the same time many of the east coast guys would come (Dewald, Austin, Bowmen, Allen, etc...). I know of a few that still attend both the marathon and short course nationals, and out of those most do run different equipment. This could be something to look into further. However, I do know that it is pretty hard getting the water shut down from the governing bodies (3 lakes and 3 rivers) for that race. I think the only time they're all willing to give it up is either late in the season (August) or early in the season (June). We've already tried June with no luck. I'm just not sure if July would fly with the local communities and businesses. With that said, it is something worth looking into.

[CSR4C]

I think the the weekend after the stock nationls if the best date for Top O'. If there is some conflicts in dates it will be the other race sites loss, not Top O's as it has the better product.
There are times when it is helpfull to have the week before the race the get equipment ready. I remember the year team Bermuda was there, scrounging hulls, most with out hardware & rigging them with hardware from Hydros that were on trailers fresh from the nationals

Darrell
C-4-C

[trapdoor]

Well Lee,

I am totally disppointed that you never even told me you had this in mind. SINCE I was one of your TEACHERS, perhaps you can call me and we can work things out this winter!!! You KNOW that I teach some video productions and OUR Indian River kids can really help out with this. I cannot believe you forgot me????? I am really sad you left me out!

Mrs Hagerl

[trapdoor]

This is just MaryEllen talking but I am not sure we would be allowed the old B poppers because of noise restrictions. I will ask the guys who get the permits.

MEH

[trapdoor]

Lee, You know that McGinnis Productions in Indian River already makes a very professional video of the race. The McGinnis's are talented and have already done a great deal of sports videos in California. Their number is in the book. Call me so we can coordinate everyone together. Mrs. H

[Blackhawkguy]

A little history

From 1978 (this is my first but am sure was the same for earlier years) thru 1984 or so, the closed coarse nationals were the first week in Aug. When the Nationals were held for the second time in Wakefield 1982 and around half of the classes did not get a national champion due to the weather, any time they were held in Wakefield they were moved to the end of July, since they were held in Wakefield allot through the late 80's early nineties I think the last week of July kind of took over as the preffered date. This put the Top-o race as the second week in Aug for allot of years, usualy with the exception of when they went to the west side of the country. I do not believe the date of the Marathon Nationals has a specified date, I do believe the short coarse nationals have some specifications in reguards to divisionals being run. Anyways the date of the Marathon Nationals has been (you could say traditionly now since it's been twenty plus years- in 1981 they were in Bay city Mi.) the weekend after the short coarse nationals. As far as changing the date of the Marathon to July, never going to happen, the boating traffic that time of the year is tremendous, you would maybe get it one year, then you may loose it forever. As previouly stated the Wis. guys are not big marathoner's so Beloit is not realy a conflict, just a bad deal that they will conflict.

Any one who wishes to correct me or add their 2 cent's by all means please do so.

Kerry

[kws]

sigh. i stand corrected, thanks. there just isn't enough weekends in the season

[Big Don]

I think one of the reasons it was moved to the weekend after the short course nationals was to try and increase attendance. They were hoping to draw the racers traveling back east from Wakefield.

We should run the Marathon Nationals in Oshkosh. Run a ¼ mile lap then head out into Lake Winnebago 45 miles to Fond du lac and come back. Some of you old timers will remember those races on Lake Winnebago….slight chop just what those marathon drivers like.

[wildstormfilms]

Well Lee,

I am totally disppointed that you never even told me you had this in mind. SINCE I was one of your TEACHERS, perhaps you can call me and we can work things out this winter!!! You KNOW that I teach some video productions and OUR Indian River kids can really help out with this. I cannot believe you forgot me????? I am really sad you left me out!

Mrs Hagerl

I do apologize Mrs Hagrel. I've been coordinating with Wayne Blomberg since the boat races. We started talking about it along with Rob Hallenbeck during that time.

Anyways, I've finished the 1 minute trailer video and have posted it on youtube. Gonna start putting together the promo video once I get the footage I need from Bob Ladd.

Trailer removed from Youtube account at the request of McGinnis Video Productions

Hey Matt, great idea about the sponser thing. That would be really cool if we can secure a reputable company to sponsor next years race. That would be another icing on the cake so to speak.