US Title Series News

[raceright]

All members of APBA are the reason for the decline in boatracing.
I have with several others come to believe that the reason that APBA does not do anything to promote, Market and expand the sport of Powerboat racing is because it is really not there Job.

It is the job of the indivadule categories and independent clubs.
One of the reasons the USTS has decided to expand its brand,is that what the USTS has been doing in the past years has been working very well and it is now time to expand with the use of all media units available,as well as be more aware of the need to make even more funds available to drivers so the expense that racing in different regions will be supported by the USTS.

There was over $40,000.00 distributed to the Drivers in the form of Tow money it is our goal to increase this and in the not to distant future add more races in other regions. Only through cost savings and added promotion will this be accomplished.
The title series is of the belief that what we sell has more value than other racing in the APBA so we are trying to take advantage of this to grow our sponsorships and audience.

I have been a Pro Commissioner and a USTS director this move is not easy
but might be the best thing for outboard racing's future as the economy
will only make it harder for any type racing so generating more funds so the driver does not have to always be the one hit when more funds for management are needed.

We must find ways to acquire more funds or not only will APBA have to worry about losing Pro Boats it will lose many others.

Pat Wright
Region 2 Pro Commissioner

[Big Don]

Backus, I’m looking for someone from the USTS to answer, unless you are part of that group now. I’m aware that there was a good chance BSOA was not going to be there racing that weekend this year. BSOA had to make a decision because they are hosting the divisionals this year where to do that. My understanding was they felt their best venue was Pleasant Prairie to host the divisionals. They were prepared to put them on that weekend but didn’t want to hurt another race that same weekend. So BSOA made the decision to go a few weeks later for 1 year to stay off other clubs races.

So my question is did USTS go in and just take it or did they have talks with someone in BSOA. Are they going to give that weekend back next year or has that site/weekend been stolen from us?

[Rex Hall]

U.s.t.s

To answer some of the questions, BSOA did not have a race on the weekend the Title Series is running at Pleasant Prairie, and not being in APBA, we did not need to get BSOA's permission to use that weekend, like you own the lake! The biggest reason is money. $20.00 membership with MBRA as opposed to $200.00 with APBA, the Title Series stands to save $20,000.00 in sanction fees this year that can go to promoting more and better races, and a family with multiple racers will save hundreds that they can put towards racing. The Title Series will have it's own HOC and real PRO racers will be inducted, not antiques that only run once a year with the Title Series. The 1100 Runabouts will still run at our Nationals and other selected races, and we will not be subject to rules impossed on us from the Inboard and OPC ranks that do not apply to our racing, for safety reasons that we do not have a say so in. If you want to run PRO then come and run with the best Pro racing organization in the U.S. The U.S. Title Series.
Rex Hall, member usts

[Big Don]

Rex, thanks for the reply.

I would think USTS would do the right thing and at least talk to BSOA and tell them their intentions when this went down. USTS knows that we’ll never get that weekend back now unless they leave. As it looks to me they stole that weekend right out from under them. I have already explained why BSOA did not have anything scheduled that weekend as of the time someone was talking to PP for USTS. It just looks like a big FU to BSOA in my opinion.

If no conversations took place how did USTS even know what BSOA plans were?

I know no one owns the lake but aren't we all boat racers and some of us race together in other categories, don’t we owe it to each other to show some respect. This is not about USTS dislike or whatever it is, for APBA. You guys did what you think was best for you.

This is about BSOA being shown some sort of respect by the USTS and told what the intentions were.

[Joe J]

Kyle:

I think you need to look at this from a different angle. All clubs, including USTS are a business. The Title Series BOD needs to do what is best for thier business, and if that means changing direction ( APBA vs. NBRA ) to keep the business model profitable, then they have every right to do so.

If a business cannot make a profit, then they close their doors or change how they do things. the Title Series chose to change direction.

I am not for or against this, as it does not directly effect me. I am only stating a point of view from someone who was self-employed for 7 years, and knows a few things about running a business.

Joe

Congrats. Usts has officially begun te full and complete downfall of outboard boat racing in this country. No more pro category in apba. Why would anyone in region 10 (my region) want to race any of these classes? Pro classes in apba are effectively region classes only now. Thanks for taking the selfish route to unsure your small group continues to be a small group.

[bill van steenwyk]

Kyle:

I think you need to look at this from a different angle. All clubs, including USTS are a business. The Title Series BOD needs to do what is best for thier business, and if that means changing direction ( APBA vs. NBRA ) to keep the business model profitable, then they have every right to do so.

If a business cannot make a profit, then they close their doors or change how they do things. the Title Series chose to change direction.

I am not for or against this, as it does not directly effect me. I am only stating a point of view from someone who was self-employed for 7 years, and knows a few things about running a business.

Joe

Joe:

As someone who does not know you well, and only sees you once a year at DePue, and as we have also discussed previously, have had disagreements between us about points of view expressed here on HR and elsewhere, your thought about this change with USTS/APBA is right on the money and I congratulate you for your thoughtful analysis of it.




Regards RacerKyle's comments about this decision having a detrimental effect on PRO Racing in the US:

For all practical purposes, USTS IS PRO racing in the US. If not for the efforts made by the core USTS membership/leadership for the past 30 years, PRO racing could very well be in the same shape as STOCK racing in the US, or worse, extinct. I know of no other organization/club that has been able to sanction PRO ONLY racing for the last 30+ years and be successful, both entry and financial wise, both for USTS and the sponsor. END OF STORY!!

If you have the name of ANY other club, I would like to see it published here on HR. Your primary category has more than enough problems to keep you busy trying to solve them so I would suggest you head in that direction if you have spare time.

In time you might find that the action taken by USTS will be beneficial to all racing in the US. Sometimes all that is needed is someone to show the way to a better result.




I will compare the financials of USTS with ANY other racing club in the country. Instead of having the membership of USTS financing the races thru entry fees, with nothing back to the participants, USTS pays tow money to all participants, allowing them to go home with some money in their pocket unlike many other clubs/categories these days, and without having to race from dawn till dark, 40 classes, with programs that do not attract spectators and make the racing attractive to potential sponsorship.

Your anger at USTS for looking out for the benefit of their membership is misplaced. It should be directed at APBA who is charging the high insurance, sanction, and membership fees that are driving these costs. Add to that the non-info policy in effect the last several years regards the Crown Contract that is rumored to be costing anywhere from 250 to 450K over the life of it, and no information given regards what is to be expected or achieved, or any penalties for non-performance, and it is no wonder folks are pissed off.

As to your comments regards any "vote by the USTS membership":

Firstly, this decision being made strictly by the President and BOD for the change: Very simply that is what they are elected to do, just like your category elects your commissioners. Look out for the best result for the membership and sponsorship. Do you really think that a great majority of the membership of USTS had not been contacted by leadership of same prior to this meeting before action was taken.
Do you now see a large stampede objecting to it?

Secondly and most important, at least this decision will result in a lowering of membership/sanction and insurance costs for the membership, and some of that passed on to sponsorship of racing. Can you say the same for the decisions made in the last 20 years by APBA leadership and BOD members?
I have NOT seen those costs reduced in my time with APBA. My first membership was purchased in 1968.

And lastly, this decision was made OUT IN THE OPEN, at the annual meeting of the USTS and any interested members that attended. Not much comparison between that and the silence from APBA when all the questions that have been asked about the project that was supposed to bring them into the 21st century, have received NO answer.

You cannot ask for membership dues from a family that has 3-4 racing members, as Rex Hall pointed out, at a cost of 6-800 dollars a year, in addition to all the other expense involved in this sport, and then not be open and transparent about how that money is spent, and then in addition continue to charge the type sanction and insurance fees when much less expensive opportunities that furnish the same type protection and services is doing it for much less. Some where, some time, that type of action will come back and bite you, and this action by USTS may just be the first mouthful in a full course dinner. I will leave it to you and others to ponder who may end up in the large intestine, and then onward, so to speak.

[Susan Rautenberg]

well

I think it sucks balls since we in region 10 were/are diligently trying to build up our pro classes...we run so/mod/pro combined and I am not aware of soa going to nbra anytime soon and I hope it doesn't to be honest. At least not right now. However-- I understand title series and their interests as a group.
With that said-- I don't give sh&*!!!! We can race region races-- im tired of chasing national crap anyway--time to go for a boatride-- so we are bringing 125hydro to region 10 regardless!!!! isn't that right fish???
I am however a tiny bit sad-was looking forward to dragging the 125 and kpro stuff to nationals this year to race---- and no im not going to join nbra for title series nationals-- we don't belong to nbra and will not join for one event and cannot afford to go east coast racing all summer for points.
mixed emotions but not going to let it ruin racing for us--I will say with the cost of new stock motors some pro classes became quite attractive--guess we build em up and race apba ourselves

[David Weaver]

Change

As a long time APBA member and USTS member, I view this decision with mixed emotions. But, this does not appear to be emotional decision or a snap reaction to particular issue, ruling or matter.

The USTS BOD (well most of it) has a long standing tradition of not discussing USTS business on discussion boards, so some may not find answers to particular questions about club business from the BOD.

I do not know whether the USTS election to race under NBRA this season will help, hurt or make little difference in the long run. But, it has been a long time since some form of change has occurred and change can be good. For those who will run APBA, the additional cost to join NBRA is nominal.

I do not see how this decision will negatively impact PRO racing out west. Keep the growth going!! The Nationals will be interesting. Only a heroic effort made DePue happen this year, so it is likely that another venue must come forth (until the lake can dredged again).

As to the race in Pleasant Prairie, I would be very surprised if the USTS usurped another club's long standing race site whether APBA or not. But, I cannot answer Don's question directly.

[mercguy]

Fyi....

let's get one thing straight, it is NOT APBA that is charging the higher insurance costs, it is the INSURANCE PROVIDER!!! APBA has probably ten times the amount of racers that NBRA does and that is what dictates the rates, as the more members you have, the higher the possibility that accidents will occur, thus having insurance payouts............which, in turn, raise the rates. All it takes is one big accident in the NBRA and their rates will go up also..........ALL forms of insurance costs are out of control nowadays, not just boat racing......

so, what is going to happen to the PRO Nationals that happen in Depue each year traditionally???? How will this move affect the village of Depue???

I am also getting tired of hearing how bad a job APBA is doing, BUT YOU (members) are APBA and the ones that make those decisions.....

as to this decision hurting the West Coast, I doubt it, we will still hold our Pro races and will be sanctioned by APBA...........sounds like the Pro Nats will be held by Seattle Outboard Association in the near future.................how about 2014 Stock/Mod/J and PRO Nats at Moses Lake, Wa!!!

[Ron Hill]

How's Your Sidewinder Running?

I think it sucks balls since we in region 10 were/are diligently trying to build up our pro classes...we run so/mod/pro combined and I am not aware of soa going to nbra anytime soon and I hope it doesn't to be honest. At least not right now. However-- I understand title series and their interests as a group.
With that said-- I don't give sh&*!!!! We can race region races-- im tired of chasing national crap anyway--time to go for a boatride-- so we are bringing 125hydro to region 10 regardless!!!! isn't that right fish???
I am however a tiny bit sad-was looking forward to dragging the 125 and kpro stuff to nationals this year to race---- and no im not going to join nbra for title series nationals-- we don't belong to nbra and will not join for one event and cannot afford to go east coast racing all summer for points.
mixed emotions but not going to let it ruin racing for us--I will say with the cost of new stock motors some pro classes became quite attractive--guess we build em up and race apba ourselves

I know you have one, how's it doing?

[Bear513]

Its about time. This should of happened 25 years or so ago when The USTS was 1st started. A.P.B.A with its Union thugs didnt do anything in the past 30 years to help the sport of boat racing.

you guys will be ok now. god speed.

[Bear513]

Btw I was hoping for 30 years to see this day, the 1st time I got a ride in novice 350 and learned about the politics of A.P.B.A All they care about is winning and write the rules to their Advantage. A.P.B.A never stood for what boat racing was really about. they never got it. But the Pro division always did.

[Ron Hill]

I don't think so

let's get one thing straight, it is NOT APBA that is charging the higher insurance costs, it is the INSURANCE PROVIDER!!! APBA has probably ten times the amount of racers that NBRA does and that is what dictates the rates, as the more members you have, the higher the possibility that accidents will occur, thus having insurance payouts............which, in turn, raise the rates. All it takes is one big accident in the NBRA and their rates will go up also..........ALL forms of insurance costs are out of control nowadays, not just boat racing......thanks Obama

so, what is going to happen to the PRO Nationals that happen in Depue each year traditionally???? How will this move affect the village of Depue???

I am also getting tired of hearing how bad a job APBA is doing, BUT YOU (members) are APBA and the ones that make those decisions.....

as to this decision hurting the West Coast, I doubt it, we will still hold our Pro races and will be sanctioned by APBA...........sounds like the Pro Nats will be held by Seattle Outboard Association in the near future.................how about 2014 Stock/Mod/J and PRO Nats at Moses Lake, Wa!!!

Insurance companies are really "Bookies". My uncle was a Bookie in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He didn't consider himself a gambler, as he'd take bets on both side of a game. Insurance companies play the "ODDS". Therefore, 20 races or two races, they play the odds. Somehow, K and K Insurance who handles NASCAR's insurance, knows what odds they are playing.

Somehow, I think APBA would be better off using K and K, who, if I'm not wrong, insures the Unlimited Hydros....under APBA. Rates are higher because of errors made by APBA personnel which caused K and K to cancel APBA's insurance.

FYI: I think the PRO Division would be better off having their Nationals in different places, like Moses Lake, Washington.

But I also think OPC would be better off having a "Marathon Division" but they kept having winners in California, so they "Dropped" the Marathon Division of OPC...

We are at a strange time in boat racing!!!

[G Stillwill]

Gee APBA has outlived every other boat racing organization over the years and are still in business. I dont see how the two they can be compared.

[walleye]

Maybe the people who control it get there way.