APBA Membership Half Off!

[daveracerdsh]

fees

Does not APBA offer a discount to new drivers? I could be wrong on that..but I like John's idea a lot. Let's just do it. Aloha from Hawaii.

[mark5pa]

We (APBA) currently have a similiar plan in effect where single event memberships are applied to racing membership.

Jean

I did not know this. Where is it written, so I can quote the text here? This would have made me happy. Like I said, wasn't sure I could cut it.

[raceright]

saying

What are you trying to say Pat?

What I said is what I said, but me thinks you want an explanation so I will try.
Unless there was any other category commenting about the costs I think it was either mostly or only racers who's primary category is stock suggesting lowering membership fees. APBA allocates its monies for categories based on what membership fee's they collect. So if most of the membership in any given category wants to lower fee's its ok with me. There is always a but and here it is .
Most drivers enter into this sport through stock outboard everyone knows this.
Therefore if stock outboard lowers its fee believing this will help attract newbies.
It should eventually help all of boat racing.
I for one do not believe lowering fee's will help--and some of my thoughts go to maybe the ones complaining are just trying to lower there costs.
This can go on and on as more comments enter the conversation but now you have more of my explanation.

Pat Wright

[mark5pa]

"the ones complaining are just trying to lower their costs" ??
Thought this thread was about helping the first year racer a bit.

[raceright]

"the ones complaining are just trying to lower their costs" ??
Thought this thread was about helping the first year racer a bit.

I said maybe the ones complaining...... Lowering costs of membership I do not see how it helps,anyone entering boat racing should understand this is the least expensive racing sport there is.
Buying boats, engines, trailer ,props helmet cit suits if the price of these items does not scare them away--I for one do not believe the price of membership will.

[Bmwbob]

Lower costs for newbies

"the ones complaining are just trying to lower their costs" ??
Thought this thread was about helping the first year racer a bit.

As a guy looking at the prospect of buying EVERYTHING (boat, motor, safety gear, membership fees, etc.) to get into this game for next season, I am watching this with interest.
Interest, not only to see if this particular issue gains any traction, but also, in light of other recent "discussions" of APBA policy, to see if a civil and constructive dialogue is possible with the players now in place.
Face it folks, one of the reasons you don't have the entire world beating down your door is that there are LOTS of other places folks can spend their discretionary income to have a good time. That, and, as others have pointed out, as things are now, you appear to the public as a "club" activity conducted in semi-secret, out of the way venues as opposed to an openly promoted "sport". And maybe that's not a bad thing, if you are happy with the status quo.
The burden is on YOU to prove that what you are offering is in some meaningful way a better alternative.
Comments from some elements suggest that there ARE things going on that are proving to work, both within the APBA structure and also in other boating organizations, so it evidently IS possible to make this crate fly!
Question: Is contiually storming the cockpit to sieze the controls the path to success here?
Bob, an interested observer

[Big Don]

I’m not saying it’s a bad thing and I would support it. But the 225.00 is not what is keeping someone from joining. It’s dropping the 5000.00/10,000.00 to get all the equipment, safety gear, trailer, etc. Almost all of us spend at least $225.00 a weekend to go race.

I would still support it, a way of saying thank you for trying us out, we know you have spent a lot of money to get here, and here is a small token of our appreciation.

It might send a positive message to some.

I don’t know what it cost to join other organization in our sport, but all of them should consider this.

I would even consider offering the first single day membership for free to try and get them hooked.

Similar to what John said, you already have us, anything new is a bonus.

[raceright]

As a guy looking at the prospect of buying EVERYTHING (boat, motor, safety gear, membership fees, etc.) to get into this game for next season, I am watching this with interest.
Interest, not only to see if this particular issue gains any traction, but also, in light of other recent "discussions" of APBA policy, to see if a civil and constructive dialogue is possible with the players now in place.
Face it folks, one of the reasons you don't have the entire world beating down your door is that there are LOTS of other places folks can spend their discretionary income to have a good time. That, and, as others have pointed out, as things are now, you appear to the public as a "club" activity conducted in semi-secret, out of the way venues as opposed to an openly promoted "sport". And maybe that's not a bad thing, if you are happy with the status quo.
The burden is on YOU to prove that what you are offering is in some meaningful way a better alternative.
Comments from some elements suggest that there ARE things going on that are proving to work, both within the APBA structure and also in other boating organizations, so it evidently IS possible to make this crate fly!
Question: Is contiually storming the cockpit to sieze the controls the path to success here?
Bob, an interested observer

Bob
Very good observations. As with all sports the transition from a club to a sport is time consuming and difficult and not everyone wants this.
I recently had a successful marketing person walk into my garage and see my capsule boat and he started asking questions (lots of questions).
After a time he said exactly what you have observed WHAT ARE YOU GUYS HIDING--WHATS THE SECRET ABOUT. This is what APBA and Crown are working on. (will this help who knows)
But be careful Bob after your first race you will be hooked for life. As in the movie Madison only those who have raced a boat will understand why someone would risk there life to do it.

[raceright]

I’m not saying it’s a bad thing and I would support it. But the 225.00 is not what is keeping someone from joining. It’s dropping the 5000.00/10,000.00 to get all the equipment, safety gear, trailer, etc. Almost all of us spend at least $225.00 a weekend to go race.

I would still support it, a way of saying thank you for trying us out, we know you have spent a lot of money to get here, and here is a small token of our appreciation.

It might send a positive message to some.

I don’t know what it cost to join other organization in our sport, but all of them should consider this.

I would even consider offering the first single day membership for free to try and get them hooked.

Similar to what John said, you already have us, anything new is a bonus.

OK With ME DON

[flybynight55]

Fees

Being a newbie at 56, I jumped into kneel down racing head first and jumped back out just as quickly. I found the racers and associated people to be very nice and informative folks but i found the APBA website very confusing. In regards to APBA fees, this is my opinion. If you are going to spend several thousand dollars getting into and maintaining the sport, i do not see how the APBA membership fees could be a deal breaker. I am not saying that lowering the fees is a bad thing. I did not 'jump back out" because of the membership fees. I got out because the rules seem antiquated and there seems to be very little progress towards new technology and innovation. Basically, the sport is stagnant. I became over whelmed with all the classes and rules. I see no reason to ask for a large decrease in equipment costs. That would definately stiffel new progress. I think a new entity should become APBA's competition. I beleive the APBA is like our government. Our government collects enough money to run this country, they just do not use the money properly and waste it. I do not see the APBA doing anything to promote progress or innovation other than stand behind the big boy big ticket $$$$ guys. I will catch "h"""ll" for it but the old rules and old equipment needs to be replaced with new ideas and new products and simplyfy the rules. I know the rules are designed to make for fair and equitable racing. And i will not complain about the rules for safety. That is a given. I never even knew this sport existed except that i stumbled upon it by accident on the internet. Anyway, i do not think membership fees is the culprit of this sport. Unfortunately, we all know the economy has a lot to do with it. Thx.

[Harold8]

I joined this year part way through in order to get back into the sport. Unfortunately things didn't work out and I wasn't able to get on the water. The membership fee wasn't a problem as far as I was concerned, it was kind of expected. I was at a couple of races here in Canada and one in the US watching and things looked no different to me now than what they did when I left a number of years ago. I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing.

[mark5pa]

Wow! Great thread. Three rookies posting. One just completing his first year, one has done a drivers school & a maybe for next season, and another that was in and out. I hope one of the BOD's are seeing this.

Pat, I don't think a discount for new members would break the bank. We should send them a fruit basket too. To be honest, I bought my boat and gear first, after reading all the rules & regs, then called APBA to join. The money wasn't a deal breaker, but I would have been pleased if the helpful APBA girl said "Rookies get $5.00 off. Just throw me a bone.

BMW Bob, hope you & I can talk someday. I have raced with WERA, and SCCA, and have a F800GS. Looks like you would be a great addition to OutBoard racing. Do it. We could use the help (from where ever).

[mark5pa]

Sorry Harold. I was typing while you posted. Make that 4 rookies or perspectives heard from. How great is this to have our opinions out there. Wished I could have time to fly to Texas for the meeting.

[hoosier]

I'm another 56 yr old newbie that plans on racing next season . While it would be nice to get a discount on my first seasons dues, I don't think that's the real deal maker for me . I participated in the Sept racing school that MHRA put on at Grass Lake that really hooked me. If the APBA really wants to get some new blood into the sport, they should look into this program and expand it to more areas.