Racing for the first time.

[Dennis Crews]

I grew up around this stuff and have watched family members run hundreds of races...but I will be racing for the first time this weekend. I am a bit suprised by the difference in mind-set that I am experiencing getting ready for this. Now, things I have never bothered to pay much attention to before ( like when is the yellow flag changed to the green flag and what does that mean ) are starting to become really important to me. I have spent time on the NBRA site reading rules and safety requirements and received some wonderful tips from some of my friends in the sport. Now I get to see what this is all about.

I have four goals for my first race...

1. Keep her 'sunny-side up'
2. Stay in the boat for the entire race
3. Stay out of the way of the other racers
4. Don't wet my pants

We will see how it goes....

[Mark 72@E]

Goals

I applaud your goals as they reflect mine. You can be running in the back of the pack and still be having fun if you have the right mind set. It's wise to spend time getting comfortable running your rig before you start pushing the limits. It'll build your confidence. I hope you meet your goals and good luck! Be sure to post a message here and tell us how things went.

[csh2z]

Dennis,
Have fun & good luck.

[mdaspit]

Well, if you do wet your pants, just wade a little deeper in the water, and nobody will ever know.

[Sonny]

Hey good luck man. After my first ride I couldnt even think straight I was so peaked on adrenaline. Dont pass up an opertunity to do patrol boat duty, In the begining I learned as much about getting arround the coarse from the patrol boat as I did in the race boat.

[DiGia54D]

Good luck and wish you the best. I remember my first race, my 2nd,3rd,4th. You will have a BLAST!!!!

[Brew56]

I would also suggest spending some time on the judges stand. You can learn A LOT up there, especially about the flags.

Good luck and have fun.

[Mrs blueskyracer]

Good luck and please let us know how it goes. Above all HAVE FUN!

[johnsonm50]

Its A blast..

Drink some water a few before headin out, I found myself very thirsty after my 1st heat, youll be too buisy stayin dry to wet Good Luck & enjoy

[Dennis Crews]

Dont pass up an opertunity to do patrol boat duty, In the begining I learned as much about getting arround the coarse from the patrol boat as I did in the race boat.

Great advice , I will definately do that. Also great advice about the judges stand and staying hydrated. I am making my checklist right now.

Man I am getting psyched!

[DiGia54D]

I agree with Sonny with the patrol boat. You learn the flags real fast. See were people are when the white flag goes up. Watch how the drivers go into the turns, where there body is in the boat and YES drink alot of water because when your sitting in your boat waiting for that green flag to pop up, your mouth will feel like your in the desert and I was like that for every race I was in..lol

[Dennis Crews]

I have four goals for my first race...

1. Keep her 'sunny-side up'
2. Stay in the boat for the entire race
3. Stay out of the way of the other racers
4. Don't wet my pants

We will see how it goes....

Check..check..check..and check!!!! I met all four goals and had an absolute blast while doing it. Thanks so much to Jeff Ruth for giving me and my son Ryan the opportunithy to do this. My Mom and Dad came by tonight and we watched the video. Alot of family pride and memories surfaced tonight.

There is one thing all of you neglected to tell me though. I started dead last in a field of nine boats and have heard all of my life how rough the water gets back there. That is just not true. It is not rough, it is VIOLENT! I am contimplating going to the dentist to see if my fillings are still in place.

Despite the rough water I had the time of my life. I never, ever, thought I would be able to say that I had done this, but now I have.

Dennis

[Mrs blueskyracer]

Dennis,

Welcome to the family. I am sure you are an addict like the rest of us now. Glad to hear you had fun!

[DrRick34-0]

Dennis---Hopefully you just got bit by the virus that has infected us all. Our trailer used to have a saying that said "This box contains a disease for which there is no cure" !!!!!!!! Enjoyed meeting you and look forward to seeing you on a regular basis on the circuit. If you need any help, please let us know.

Rick Miller
34-0

[blueskyracer]

Check..check..check..and check!!!! I met all four goals and had an absolute blast while doing it. Thanks so much to Jeff Ruth for giving me and my son Ryan the opportunithy to do this. My Mom and Dad came by tonight and we watched the video. Alot of family pride and memories surfaced tonight.

There is one thing all of you neglected to tell me though. I started dead last in a field of nine boats and have heard all of my life how rough the water gets back there. That is just not true. It is not rough, it is VIOLENT! I am contimplating going to the dentist to see if my fillings are still in place.

Despite the rough water I had the time of my life. I never, ever, thought I would be able to say that I had done this, but now I have.

Dennis

If you think that was fun wait till they tell you can move up for the start and you nail one!!! Yahoo