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Check out the sponsor tower at the 2007 APBA PWC Nationals
My point is its all about fun! perhaps we have made our sport unappealing with all the rules etc.. just a thought.
.......burn methanol with the USTS.....we had a great 2007 season with not too much controversy or debate on the rules of racing. Not one protest that I am aware of in 7 weekends of racing. Plenty of beer, food and sportsmanship at every event.
How fast do the PWC craft travel during competition? I am going to guess that they go in excess of 50mph and yet the drivers wear minimal safety equipment. But, I am not sure what good kevlar would do when another couple hundred pound craft smacks directly into you....plus, that would another rule and rules blow man....
Last edited by David Weaver; 10-25-2007, 04:44 AM.
Reason: typo's
Are those Power Boats or Water Crafts? That looks like a lot of fun, but doesn't hold a candle to 12 hand-made screamin' Power boats going into the first turn. My brother raced stand up Jet-ski's and I think I can speak for him when I say he would rather go into a turn in a BSR than a Modified 440. However, I'm sure a lot of us kneeldowners would look good in those wet suits LOL!
Ease of use, availablity, and price fuels their popularity. Back in `94 my daughter's PWC cost $5200 w/trailer, fitted cover, vest, and a "sponson" kit which improved the handling. Cheap for a fun boat that can tow water toys. That PWC has a ton of hours on it and is still alive and kicking.
Downside of PWCs - controversy! The PWC is the main reason states passed age of operation laws. And that is the reason New Joisey shut down our J class racing this past season. At Lake Wheeler, site of the October USTS race, posted signs declare NO PWCs allowed. The yacht club where I dock my boat won't even allow a PWC to tie up to the dock. What's up with all that? Many boaters and folks who live on the water claim PWCs are "annoying." Ah, hate to see people having fun, eh?
Just a thought - since Dan posted about APBA races with PWCs, is it possible for us kneeldowners to jump on a PWC race as an added attraction? I'm thinking maybe 4 - 6 popular classes that could fill a field. And then a silver tounged devil racer to spin off full scale race invitations based on the fantastic show of kneeldowns at the PWC race.
With respect to all in this thread; Even without thinking about the cost, unlike the USTS, Stock Outboard people like racing close to home on a more frequent basis rather than traveling 8 to 10 + hours. Yes PWC are fun to "drive", but spectators like to identify with what they are watching. Compare stock car racing to open wheel racing. Maybe we could include some PWC in our races but hopefully only full field classes to replace some of our 3 boat classes.
This thread is like holding a stick of dynomite but as Phil said people identify with whats raced. The age old adage race on Sunday and sell on Monday holds true with PWC as with Moto Cross. What wins sells and the factorys know this so they suport it with sponsor ship, factory riders and with contingency money all those stickers plastered all over are not just covering up bad paint. The outboard companys have no interest in suporting small motors for racing as they feel there is no market related to there pleasure motors. As far as Pro most start out in stocks or mods and move to pro as they get experiance. A novice or someone just starting unless they are a total gear head would probably quit after the first year of racing. Although the motors are much easier to start and are more reliable they are still not for a beginer. Pulling the HP they do they cant be as reliable as a stock motor. Pick the wrong jet for the weather conditions and you have scrap aluminum. A new person with no experiance will loose interest fast when they end up on a tow rope to many times and there pockets get light from buying parts and having to pay to have a motor redone. If you want to get a couple kneel down classes to really blossom get a manufactures war going between makes as there is with PWC and Moto Bikes.
Destiny is a matter of chance,it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
As far as Pro most start out in stocks or mods and move to pro as they get experiance. A novice or someone just starting unless they are a total gear head would probably quit after the first year of racing. Although the motors are much easier to start and are more reliable they are still not for a beginer. Pulling the HP they do they cant be as reliable as a stock motor. Pick the wrong jet for the weather conditions and you have scrap aluminum. A new person with no experiance will loose interest fast when they end up on a tow rope to many times and there pockets get light from buying parts and having to pay to have a motor redone. If you want to get a couple kneel down classes to really blossom get a manufactures war going between makes as there is with PWC and Moto Bikes.
Horse Hockey!
VRP and GRM is already a great manufacturers' war. They have gone head to head all year in the USA and in Europe. These motors are built to take the abuse. Stock motors are built for fishing (in theory). If one decides to go skinny in the jetting that is one's choice!!
Back to the point of the thread.....in the photograph's I see the results of good organization and probably strong local support (in order to erect the judges/start stand). We probably could learn a thing or two by attending one of their events.
VRP and GRM is already a great manufacturers' war. They have gone head to head all year in the USA and in Europe. These motors are built to take the abuse. Stock motors are built for fishing (in theory). If one decides to go skinny in the jetting that is one's choice!!
Back to the point of the thread.....in the photograph's I see the results of good organization and probably strong local support (in order to erect the judges/start stand). We probably could learn a thing or two by attending one of their events.
Hey Dave,
Your second paragraph sums the up the reason I started this thread but as usual everything we post here gets blown way out of proportion etc..
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