US Title Series News

[Matt Dagostino]

I've not been active regarding rules and any changes in APBA since 1981, and only in the last few years been a spectator at some racing. Having said that, it was my belief that USTS was NOT the Pro division of APBA, but an organization within the PRO ranks that put a package of professionally run races throughout the year following a formula they thought would be best for racers, sponsors, fans, and spectators alike.
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Wayne....
Been a long time since i saw your name. I remember in 1977 your dad and you at the PRO Divisionals in Fort Worth. I was picking up some J Class Hydros from Zorkan while on spring break and spent the weekend watching some GREAT PRO racing. Your Dad had Dieter Konig and his driver Hans Kruger were there and they got so sunburned your mom i believed hooked them up with a bunch of Aloe Plants!! The highlight for me was your dad setting me up as a turn judge for 2 days on those floating party boats with coolers packed with food and 'cold beverages'...........what a great weekend!

Anyway, this USTS issue reminds me of the Merc Challenge Series sponsored by Mercury Racing............the only difference is the Mercury folks and clubs stayed with APBA as a sanctioning body (when things were affordable). I imagine Rex and the USTS folks would stay with APBA if it was 'affordable' but given the financial difference in sanctioning bodies it seems a calculated business decision.

Seems 'series' racing versus club racing always sparks arguments about preserving the 'essence' of a racing cataglory...............

Hope things are still bigger and brighter down in Texas!!

Matt

[Rex Hall]

Apba

If you look a Pro racing for the last 10 years, there have been very few serious accidents or insurance claims as opposed to a lot from the unlimiteds, offshore, and OPC divisions. Our insurance costs are reflected on these divisiions and the cost has skyrocketed. The membership fees and the cost for sanctions should have been lower for a division that was not causing the increases in insurance costs. If APBA had put the costs on the divisions that cause the increases, instead of the general racing groups, the Titlle Series might still be affilliated with APBA. But, mostly it is about running our own program without having more and more restrictions put on us every year and telling us what we can and cannot do to get APBA's approval.

[AndersonV21]

Kip & Don

Please check your PM's.

Jay

[Bob Rusnak]

Please check your PM's.

Jay

Jay, who is Kip? I check all the PM's all the time, nothing new. Some interest in the Krier runabouts, we will see. Heading to Texas tomorrow to see Lorraine & Sean for Christmas. Hope to go through the race trailer and clean it up. Don will also be there.I know we will be talking racing.....Bob N-96

[raceright]

At the October 2012 Bsoa meeting, it was merely "mentioned" that Badger State Outboard "DIDNT WANT" to go back to Pleasant Prairie because of the increased fee's for the lake. I can assure you, BSOA never officially said they "WOULD NOT" be having a Memorial Day race there.

What sucks even more, is in my own communications with my contact at USTS (I would ask if they would to race with us again at PP) I was always proudly told that they were "in like flynn" up at their new Menominee WI racesite. Also, as recently as July they also "weren't going anywhere" - Not to mention, I heard they had some great sponsorship money up there coming from the 3M company.

After running Pleasant Prairie for many years, and bringing in my friend(?) to assist me with it, I truly was blown away when I found out USTS had secured Lake Andrea before I even went in for my usual fall meeting to secure the lake for 2013...

Maybe it was planned this way? I dunno. There sure wasn't any up front honesty about any of this, which is probably why I'm taking it so personally. Most people know I'm all about racing and promoting a race no matter who club it might be. Heck, all I wanted was to make it a better show for the public there! We brought in the 45 class with us there a few years back, and we ran side-by-side with the USTS guys one year too. Maybe those gut instincts everyone had about someone stealing the site wasn't unfounded after all?

For me, it feels like 8 years of hard work (and possibly a friendship) just went down the tubes I'm about ready to throw in the towel on racing all together.. Dayum

First let me point out that the USTS does not race with any other club or category the USTS is a Pro only club and if several drivers were to run in the confines of another club it is OK with USTS membership and even incouraged
with the hope that drivers like Pro Equiptment and decide to run with the USTS.
The USTS is not intrested in stealing a race site only improving racing , if this site is one that a club likes to race at then purchase a Pro Rig and come race with the USTS, best competition in all of powerboat racing and has a bright future.
All other types of powerboatracing is failing while the USTS is improving. As they say wake up and smell the coffee.
You do not need a contact, just show up to a race ,join the USTS and go to the Banquet in Chicago and see first hand what you have been missing.
You are close to most USTS races so take advantage now as in the not to distant future there will be more USTS races and further apart.

Pat Wright

[Dave M]

Welcome

As an NBRA Commissioner I would like to say Welcome to the NBRA. A lot of hours went into this decision, it was not taken lightly by either organization. We, the NBRA stuggled to get this into perspective and wrap our heads around what the USTS was trying to do. Some of us understood the actual thoughts have been around for at least 5 years, with some minor talks among some key individuals within the two groups. I guess it has come to fruition. A long standing tradition with the APBA has been lost. I believe Pro was the oldest category within APBA ? Not sure, but it seems right. It is sad to see it go, but when something is broke you need to fix it. It is not like nobody saw this coming ten years ago. A lot of people tried to fix the problem, me included, and to be honest, no executives within APBA would listen to reason. It was the same attitude of we are APBA and we are invincible. That is not true of any organiation, including the NBRA.

As for the Mod Division within APBA coming to NBRA, I don't see that happening anytime soon. The NBRA already has Mod's within their structure. So any Mod person could easily race NBRA by simply paying dues. And these dues are less than half of what the APBA charges for annual dues. And we just voted to raise these rate as well this year.

At any rate, enough he said, she said. Welcome to the NBRA, and I for one look forward to seeing all my old friends in the USTS, and some new faces as well. I know the USTS and the NBRA will be operating seperate of each other, but we can unite as one family and enjoy some real boat racing !!!

[mercguy]

Fyi....

As an NBRA Commissioner I would like to say Welcome to the NBRA. A lot of hours went into this decision, it was not taken lightly by either organization. We, the NBRA stuggled to get this into perspective and wrap our heads around what the USTS was trying to do. Some of us understood the actual thoughts have been around for at least 5 years, with some minor talks among some key individuals within the two groups. I guess it has come to fruition. A long standing tradition with the APBA has been lost. I believe Pro was the oldest category within APBA ? Not sure, but it seems right. It is sad to see it go, but when something is broke you need to fix it. It is not like nobody saw this coming ten years ago. A lot of people tried to fix the problem, me included, and to be honest, no executives within APBA would listen to reason. It was the same attitude of we are APBA and we are invincible. That is not true of any organiation, including the NBRA.

As for the Mod Division within APBA coming to NBRA, I don't see that happening anytime soon. The NBRA already has Mod's within their structure. So any Mod person could easily race NBRA by simply paying dues. And these dues are less than half of what the APBA charges for annual dues. And we just voted to raise these rate as well this year.

At any rate, enough he said, she said. Welcome to the NBRA, and I for one look forward to seeing all my old friends in the USTS, and some new faces as well. I know the USTS and the NBRA will be operating seperate of each other, but we can unite as one family and enjoy some real boat racing !!!

as you know PRO is a racing category of APBA and is NOT leaving, only the USTS, which is a club (just as SOA, IOA, etc are)..........2 very distinct items..........PRO classes will still be ran in APBA........and still be a category....

[mercguy]

really Dave??

Thanks for pointing that out. I will try to be more Politcally Correct moving forward. Thank Gawd we don't worry about that crap in the NBRA.... We just race boats, have fun, and make like happy people. Please, if you don't mind, leave me from the petty play on words. I would appreciate that more than anything. While I understand your hostility towards the NBRA, perceived of course, please take others thoughts and ideas into perspective, and not ruin their days as much. The NBRA did not solicit anything. The USTS sought us out.

I have not one bit of hostility towards NBRA and think they are doing a great job!! You obviously have hostility towards APBA and think the racers are completely different than any other organizations, which you are WRONG, as we all are in it for the same reasons....to have fun.....its comments like yours that create the animosity....

[propmag]

Sorry to see it happen (seems like yet another split in a fragile sport) but it makes some sense financially. What do racers do if they want to compete in both USTS/NBRA and APBA? Buy two club memberships and two sanctioning memberships? I'm thinking of OSY especially, and other classes that compete for APBA/UIM championships.

[joejohn44]

Sorry to see it happen (seems like yet another split in a fragile sport) but it makes some sense financially. What do racers do if they want to compete in both USTS/NBRA and APBA? Buy two club memberships and two sanctioning memberships? I'm thinking of OSY especially, and other classes that compete for APBA/UIM championships.

simple. just join USTS and APBA like you normally would. NBRA membership is only 20 bucks for USTS members...

[David Weaver]

Runaway Thread

This thread has lost its way.

A club, USTS, has elected to move from APBA to NBRA. Talk to USTS BOD's if you have questions regarding their decision. The USTS will post its 2013 schedule of events. See NBRA web-site for a membership form if this interests you, including details on the rights and benefits of the respective membership options.

APBA will continue to have a PRO category. Look for local clubs to post their schedules and for APBA to announce Divisional and National events following the APBA convention in 2013.

The above may elicit questions, but there is no reason that it should lead to the bickering and poor "sportsmanship" that has arisen by those against, for or concerned by the decision.

Everything else brought up within this thread should be discussed else where (a new thread, a phone call, a letter, etc.).

[chicagopaul]

My 2 cents. Counting for inflation …. We’ll make it $5 
No one is screwing anyone here….. GOT IT?
We all (APBA Members) have communicated in the past (with each other, other categories and in some cases NBRA) and worked with each other to make sure that …… as much as possible …… we do not step on each other.
From what I can tell from this thread, USTS has made a business decision that changes the rules regarding race sites. USTS and NBRA seem to be treating this as strictly business and survival as an organization. So we have to “rethink” our strategies with “competition” from an organization from outside APBA.
WE have been spoiled by being all APBA. We have to adapt to competition now.
I have been vocal on many occasions that you do not own a site without money down and a contract.
We did not have money down and a contract. Pretty simple here guys. Within APBA we cooperate. Outside of APBA it looks to me like the rules are “everyman for himself.”
Which again I say, this is not a big deal. As long as we know the rules of engagement then we can still race where we want when we want. Just need to act more like a business which will be very good for everyone!
So this really should be no big deal.
Going forward I suggest that if you want a site, book it early with money down early.
Basic business to me.
ChicagoPaul

[Big Don]

My 2 cents. Counting for inflation …. We’ll make it $5 
No one is screwing anyone here….. GOT IT?
We all (APBA Members) have communicated in the past (with each other, other categories and in some cases NBRA) and worked with each other to make sure that …… as much as possible …… we do not step on each other.
From what I can tell from this thread, USTS has made a business decision that changes the rules regarding race sites. USTS and NBRA seem to be treating this as strictly business and survival as an organization. So we have to “rethink” our strategies with “competition” from an organization from outside APBA.
WE have been spoiled by being all APBA. We have to adapt to competition now.
I have been vocal on many occasions that you do not own a site without money down and a contract.
We did not have money down and a contract. Pretty simple here guys. Within APBA we cooperate. Outside of APBA it looks to me like the rules are “everyman for himself.”
Which again I say, this is not a big deal. As long as we know the rules of engagement then we can still race where we want when we want. Just need to act more like a business which will be very good for everyone!
So this really should be no big deal.
Going forward I suggest that if you want a site, book it early with money down early.
Basic business to me.
ChicagoPaul

Paul I could not disagree more with you on this. We are a small group that need to work together. I know that is wishful thinking on a large scale of APBA/NBRA...but at the club level, local level and racers level we should have some respect for each other.

It also hurts to hear some of our own BSOA members may have had a hand in this without discussing it with the club. If this is true someone needs to stand up and tell the BSOA memebers why it was done behind their back. My understanding from BSOA BOD memebers this was never discussed with them.

For the record I am not mad at NBRA, I'm disappointed with how it looks to the BSOA members by the actions of some.

I agree that with USTS going with NBRA they have no obligations to work with us but this is the type of things that drive people apart. I guess some of those same people forgot how we helped some of them in the past when they needed to have their divisionals with us and we accommodated them.

[doc 35-0]

Let's get together

I remember when APBA, Mr. Ed Hearn, put on the winter nationals at Lake Buhlow, Pineville, la. It was a great opportunity to race together. It's unfortunate that this was not done more often. We had some great APBA Nationals in Mountain Home Ar. The What's up Doc? race team(now 3 drivers) will be joining APBA to race mod and stock for the coming year. We really don't care who is the sponsoring group is, but it is quite evident that the cost is at least twice as much and to the average driver in NBRA, they can not see any advantage in APBA. So we do not see many(count them on your right hand) that belong to both. That means, when NBRA put on a great race At Lucas Speedway, not one Apba member came to support the race. The same can be said about nbra members supporting Apba races. Nbra is putting on at least 10 races this year with tow money, and that is a full schedule for most of us. For the future, there will always be a place for organization like NBRa that are low cost, and with out some of the frills. We love to race mod with the best where ever they may be..

[Black Sheep]

Boat Count

What are the historic entries at a typical USTS race for the last few years?
What are the historic entries at DePue for the last few years?