Official Press Release From SideWinder

[Brian10s]

First of all I am happy that the new sidewinder is being built…/we need new engines.

But……….it amazes me that we put the Bass Brothers through the wringer for missing a deadline or two but we have a different tune for the Sidewinder project?

We were ready to pull the plug on the Bass Brothers Tohatsu project for missing a deadline of getting an engine to the Dyno.

I think Ed’s questions are legit. Racers want to know where the project is at.

What amazes me that we say we need new engines, blaim lack of new engines on everything from declining membership, to the price of gas but we then put the one vendor who stepped up through the 2nd coming of the Spanish Inquisition and were ready to pull the plug when we did not get what we want, when we wanted it, and he is now reluctant to do business with any other Commission over the process. And did we learn from that experience - nope. It was so much fun the first time, lets do it one more time.

Racers want to know . . . why? What difference does it make if the SW is ready for sale in 08 or in 09? Really, can somebody tell me the world of boatracing (or just the world of Stock Outboard) will come to a screaching halt if the SW 15 isn't under the tree this Christmas? Is there that many racers with 5k burning a hole in their pockets? If so, I am sure Ron would take preorders. Send him your green, then you can call him and complain about the current timeline.

I understand that in a business, deadlines need to be meet and sometimes a vendor needs a kick in the pants to hold them accountable. Only 2 problems with using this thought process. Racing is not a business (for us) and that kick only works when you have a suitable alternative. Is there another option?

[ER 7J]

more parts

[Big Don]

Personally I could care less when they are ready. I own 8 Yamato 80’s the longer the better.

Brian ,
I could agree with you if they had not given a date already. It got some of the potential customers excited that they we going to be able to buy the new engine this year with the date that were already promised. Now it’s not ready and they are wondering.

I’m sure there are racers out there trying to decide what to do for next year and if it’s ready & available they could make some decisions on what they are going to do for next year.

And I’m not going to debate with you because I think you're still holding a grudge over the reinforced cockpits

[G Stillwill]

From Mr Phils great photo post, I should of posted this on this tread

Great photos as always!!!! Did I spy a sidewinder on the back of Mr. Stillwells BSH???
__________________
DAVEY 18w

Davey yes that was the Sidewinder on the back. There were 8 B Hydros which 6 jumped the gun which me and Ken Terry were the only legal boats , was with the pack in the first turn and past two on the back streight but the mid range on the carb was still way to lean so was dieing in the turn and finally fried the top piston in next to the last turn. It ran really good the first lap but the top piston was going away after that. Once the carb is right it will cure the piston issue and should be real close to the old Hotrod. Jesse Swain was there and said it was really impressive it was the first time he saw one run.

[ricochet112]

Racers want to know . . . why? What difference does it make if the SW is ready for sale in 08 or in 09? Really, can somebody tell me the world of boatracing (or just the world of Stock Outboard) will come to a screaching halt if the SW 15 isn't under the tree this Christmas? Is there that many racers with 5k burning a hole in their pockets? If so, I am sure Ron would take preorders. Send him your green, then you can call him and complain about the current timeline.

IMO why this has caused so much emotion is the SORC put the cart before the horse and approved the motor before it was available.

Exactly the opposite of what the Tohatsu went through.

[nbass]

What a Fiascal New Engines Have Become

IMO why this has caused so much emotion is the SORC put the cart before the horse and approved the motor before it was available.

Exactly the opposite of what the Tohatsu went through.

I think everyone is lucky that or at least we can hope that Hot Rod owners do not make a wise financial decision and drop out now. Hey folks, get on with supporting your new engine makers instead of giving them a reason not to move forward and maybe never come back. We came very close (several times) to dropping out, and still could be convinced if acceptance of change is not promoted. This whole racing thing is a looser to any manufacturer. Advertising, sure like the no Tohatsu shirts and stickers? Maybe hum, yes the SORC jumped the gun on engines that are not available. OK, so the SORC made a mistake, not the Hot Rod team. The Hot Rod team is discovering the complications and expense of producing a specialty-racing engine. My hat is off to their effort. Keep going for it. You have good supporters that may make it mildly worth the ridiculous effort.

You can please all the people some of the time, but you can never please all the people all the time.
Neil Bass

[dcrummett]

Ron, thanks for the update, and for the record:

"He who grabs tiger by the tail learns much more than he who stand and watch."

Thanks for grabbing the tiger... the rest: "Nuff said."

Dan
O-49

[Brian10s]

Personally I could care less when they are ready. I own 8 Yamato 80’s the longer the better.

Brian ,
I could agree with you if they had not given a date already. It got some of the potential customers excited that they we going to be able to buy the new engine this year with the date that were already promised. Now it’s not ready and they are wondering.

I’m sure there are racers out there trying to decide what to do for next year and if it’s ready & available they could make some decisions on what they are going to do for next year.

And I’m not going to debate with you because I think you're still holding a grudge over the reinforced cockpits

Don,
I couldn't fit in a 15 SW without sinking it, so I agree 100% on the level of caring. And I understand that everyone is excited and want to spend money like they are printing it in the basement (that is my winter project anyway). I also agree that a time table set by Racing Outboards has been missed but these things only hurt them, not the category. If they lose sales because money has been spent in other places, then it sounds like their problem. I am sure we both can agree that they would love to have 50 motors done and ready to ship. But the level of b****ing has gotten to a record high. All I am saying is give the guys a break, the Sw will be ready when it is ready.

As for the cockpits, I am changing my thoughts on it. It is time to focus on me and not you. The way I figure it, cockpit sides protect you, pickle points protect me. See, I have reinforced cockpit sides, so I am good. Let the rest of you run around 1/2 naked if you want.

It may not be the most brotherly of positions but then again, the rest of you didn't get in as many arguements this summer as I did over the subject.

[csh2z]

The only approved PROBATIONARY motor currently is the Sidewinder 15. The evolution of this whole project has been mind boggling. Maybe somebody will write a book. The rules that govern how we bring in new motors are for the most part obselete. The rules would not allow for anything other than a Mercury or OMC or Yahama or whatever, to propose the use of a new motor into an existing class. In order to progress, some rules were ignored, some rules were changed, and some new rules have been proposed. This is a new era in boat racing. We can't always do what we've always done. We are being proactive for the first time in years and we are commited to make this work. Results.....we are getting close.

[Big Don]

That is the problem with putting things in print sometimes they get a little misunderstood.

I for one think there is way too much complaining and b****ing on this website also.

I really do wish everyone that is working on this Sidewinder project the best and from what I saw at the nationals they have the best guy on it (Sled).

Agree with Neil Bass that we need to support our current engine makers/suppliers. We certainly don’t have manufactures knocking down our doors offering us engines.

[ricochet112]

IMO why this has caused so much emotion is the SORC put the cart before the horse and approved the motor before it was available.

Exactly the opposite of what the Tohatsu went through.

I support SW and their efforts, it's a monumental task. If I was in Ron's position I would want to know my motor was going to be approved before I spent the amount of money and time he has.

I was simply pointing out the reason I think this topic has become so heated.

[Howie Nichols]

Sled,
Thanks for posting all the pictures of the different parts. Looks like you and Sidewinder are doing a great job.

[14-H]

Picture's worth a thousand...

The photos are great. But, I still didn't get an answer to my questions. The rods photographed appear to be the ones begun by RH Little Co in the 80's that have been "ready for heat treating" for nearly 20 years.

But, tellingly, I see no photos of blocks, or intake manifolds, or crank cases, or pistons or carburetors: all of the parts that have been re-designed for the Sidewinder. It is encouraging to see crank shaft parts, but they appear to be unassembled. Based upon what I have seen, however, and assuming that those photos were overlooked but the parts are there and in the same stage as, for instance, the gear case assemblies (castings), I'd say that it will be at least mid-2009 racing season before the 15's are available for sale (remember, 2008 starts in 2 weeks). That really means that the engine should not be a full-fledged engine for the class until the following year (2010).

This would appear to mean, that it will probably be a year later that the 20/B is available (2010) and a year after (2011) that an A is available and a year after that (2012) that a J is available.

Please don't misunderstand me: I support this project completely. But the SORC and the members need to know when the stuff will be available and can't be kept in the dark. Plans need to be made and the members need to know what to do in the interim or else we will lose them to another sport based purely on uncertainty.

Based upon all of this, I seriously believe that the SORC should again consider slowing the OMC's down in the A classes so that the people I have heard from in the pits who have kids can buy Mercuries and race in J, AXS and A class. WE WANT THESE KIDS IN STOCK OUTBOARD. If we're still three (3) years from a Sidewinder A engine, we need to do something about that at this annual meeting.

Ed Hearn, 13 days to go.

[hydroracer25]

The rods photographed appear to be the ones begun by RH Little Co in the 80's that have been "ready for heat treating" for nearly 20 years.

Ed,

Wrong on the conrods. Take a closer look at the picture again. It's a new design...there is no bolt boss on these rods. These rods were not intended to be fracture split.

Take a break for the next 13 day.

Mark

[sadiemydog1]

S/w

As these engines become available, NBRA will incorporate them into our class structure. No fights no *****ing. Just thankful that someone has the vision to make them. Same as we did with the Bass Tohatsu. Thanks Ron and the Bass brothers. Without out your commitment I am not sure where this sport would be headed.
Art Kampen