Biloxi Musings

[T2x]

In reviewing the posted results from this past weekend's race at Biloxi:

1 There were 26 boats in attendance
2. There were 10 classes
3. Only 4 classes (actual racing not bracket) had more than 3 boats
4. Only 2 classes had more than 5 boats
5. 2 classes had one boat racing (both boats wasting Miccosukee's sponsorship dollars)

IMHO

Merge 750 and 850 Super cat...There were 5 boats between them with essentially identical budgets.

Merge those two with Super Cat Light (similar budget again) and use a weight/HP "levelizer" formula.

Now we're up to 11 boats

Eliminate Turbine class and make those guys race in the above combined class (saving those two and future teams a boatload of money and avoiding the inevitable 170+ mph fatal accident that will happen sooner or later)

Now we're up to 13 boats.

Market that class and the Single engined canopied vee 5 boats(OSSVL) ...exclusively as your 2 major classes. That will force the other teams with similar budgets (OSS outboard and SV) into one or the other classes respectively.

Now you have 18-22 boats in 2 classes of real racing

Split $60,000 prize money between the two classes on a 66-33% split

Let the "P" guys play as they please, but off camera and for trophies only, with the clear understanding that when they want to get serious they have the top 2 classes to choose from.

Just my .02

T2x

P.S. This is the same formula (2 major classes including one "premier class" plus "development leagues") I suggested to APBA/Offshore leadership in 1986 and 1996
__________________

 

[Knot 4 Me]

I've attended 2 OSS races and the Cat Lite class was by far my favorite.

 

[C_Spray]

Kind of like the European Powerboat series Sportsman and Evolution class concept? You know - the one with international TV coverage and sponsorships....

 

[T2x]

Kind of like the European Powerboat series Sportsman and Evolution class concept? You know - the one with international TV coverage and sponsorships....

Yeah but what do they know? They keep it simple and it works.

Over here the U.S. teams race "United" which apparently means "Separately together" or some such.

As a seasoned veteran of the TV editing room, I can assure you that the more difficult the program is to explain to the viewer, the worse it will do in ratings.

T2x

 

[Gladhe8er]

I am all for combining classes. Very good point on the 750/850 class.

 

[smokeybandit]

How long was the course? I tried to look it up, but I couldn't find it.

 

[Ryan Beckley]

It was just under 9 miles.....

 

[T2x]

It was just under 9 miles.....

How did my props work for you?

 

[Ryan Beckley]

I did not run your props, there was not enough time to test properly with the gale force winds on Saturday......

 

[T2x]

I did not run your props, there was not enough time to test properly with the gale force winds on Saturday......

Let me know how they work when you get a chance.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Rich,

I love your candor and respect your opinion, but it is possible to get a positive spin from you?

If you look at the results in list form it there are some strong classes.

http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5455


Yes, it is not what it once was, but it is pretty good.

I hope you can take the time to visit one of our events in person this season.

 

[boatme]

Good Post Rich

Interesting insite

 

[T2x]

Rich,

I love your candor and respect your opinion, but it is possible to get a positive spin from you?

I hope you can take the time to visit one of our events in person this season.

I attended a couple of races last year and went to Michigan for about 4 years until we switched to the Champ boat races in Bay City. I also attended Key West each year up until about 4 years ago. We work out of Joey Imprescia's shop each week (He is currently setting up an 850 Super Cat)......and I have a lot of dialogue with current racers and boat builders.

I also was among the first to see the results of the accident last year at Patchogue.

This idea that I am somehow "out of touch" is an inside joke ("Obsolete") that I started after leaving the APBA Offshore TV broadcast booth following a less than pleasant season in 2001 in which The APBA Chairman and I proved that we were both stubborn people.....plus I wound up locked in a voice over booth every few weeks with Reggie for a season of editing....:leaving:

Believe me I watch the sport as closely as anyone......and I follow the numbers and trends. The biggest barometer of success in motorsports is television ratings and meaningful cash flow from series sponsorships. When Offshore racing makes any real progress in either of those arenas I will be the first to trumpet it from the rafters. In the past 8 years all of the Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) have gone down in terms of the sport. We went from 3 separate organizations (APBA, SBI, USOffshore) to 4 (OSS, APBA/SBI, OPA, and OPS..not to mention the Geico "series within a series") even after it was generally agreed that 3 was 2 too many. I watch what people "do".....not listen to what they "Say"...and racers are more fragmented and class obsessed than ever before in spite of your cute "slogans".

As far as a "positive spin" from me is concerned, I offer the following. There are more than enough people praising you guys to the moon and for various reasons ( The video and photo guys want your money, the promoters have to do it-that's their job and I respect that, the boat builders and vendors want you to present their product as a "World Beater", the racers want desperately to believe that they are heroic, and the "fans" want their racing relatives and friends to do well). What racing doesn't need are more vacuous, self congratulatory sycophants. What it does need is a cold water self assessment and a dose of reality, and that is what I try to bring.

I will acknowledge that I lack a certain charm school approach, but most of the diplomatic types are already flattering you guys until your heads might burst. I've known most of today's leadership for years and many of them are friends that I respect.....but strongly disagree with. You don't have to take my advice, nor do you have to listen, but I submit that your current plans are circular and self serving in nature while making no progress toward advancing the sport to the next level....or to the levels it has enjoyed in the past.

I do wish you good luck, but "From My Perch" all I see is bunch of rose colored glasses. When they come off, I'll be the guy waving encouragement from the bleachers.

T2x

 

[Ryan Beckley]

Rich , will you let Throttle Up know that it is OK for me to try your props next time I get a chance.

 

[OneBadInjun]

"Thank-You"

QUOTE=T2x;168387]I attended a couple of races last year and went to Michigan for about 4 years until we switched to the Champ boat races in Bay City. I also attended Key West each year up until about 4 years ago. We work out of Joey Imprescia's shop each week (He is currently setting up an 850 Super Cat)......and I have a lot of dialogue with current racers and boat builders.

I also was among the first to see the results of the accident last year at Patchogue.

This idea that I am somehow "out of touch" is an inside joke ("Obsolete") that I started after leaving the APBA Offshore TV broadcast booth following a less than pleasant season in 2001 in which The APBA Chairman and I proved that we were both stubborn people.....plus I wound up locked in a voice over booth every few weeks with Reggie for a season of editing....:leaving:

Believe me I watch the sport as closely as anyone......and I follow the numbers and trends. The biggest barometer of success in motorsports is television ratings and meaningful cash flow from series sponsorships. When Offshore racing makes any real progress in either of those arenas I will be the first to trumpet it from the rafters. In the past 8 years all of the Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) have gone down in terms of the sport. We went from 3 separate organizations (APBA, SBI, USOffshore) to 4 (OSS, APBA/SBI, OPA, and OPS..not to mention the Geico "series within a series") even after it was generally agreed that 3 was 2 too many. I watch what people "do".....not listen to what they "Say"...and racers are more fragmented and class obsessed than ever before in spite of your cute "slogans".

As far as a "positive spin" from me is concerned, I offer the following. There are more than enough people praising you guys to the rafters and for various reasons ( The video and photo guys want your money, the promoters have to do it-that's their job and I respect that, the boat builders and vendors want you to present their product as a "World Beater", the racers want desperately to believe that they are heroic, and the "fans" want their racing relatives and friends to do well). What racing doesn't need are more vacuous, self congratulatory sycophants. What it does need is a cold water self assessment and a dose of reality, and that is what I try to bring.

I will acknowledge that I lack a certain charm school approach, but most of the diplomatic types are already flattering you guys until your heads might burst. I've known most of today's leadership for years and many of them are friends that I respect.....but strongly disagree with. You don't have to take my advice, nor do you have to listen, but I submit that your current plans are circular and self serving in nature while making no progress toward advancing the sport to the next level....or to the levels it has enjoyed in the past.

I do wish you good luck, but "From My Perch" all I see is bunch of rose colored glasses. When they come off, I'll be the guy waving encouragement from the bleachers.

T2x[/QUOTE]:kiss::nopity::huh::beatdeadhorse5::willy_nilly:

 

[T2x]

Rich , will you let Throttle Up know that it is OK for me to try your props next time I get a chance.

Yes...Do they have the props back already?

 

[Ryan Beckley]

Throttle Up has them, YES.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Thanks Rich,

I agree with your class approach and have no argument for our observations.

I just think it is unrealistic to think the big guys will compromise and slow their boats. I also think it is foolish to mess with Cat light. That Class is great. They go fast enough, are very dependable and there are many competitive boats that currently exist. Changing the rules just depreciates all existing boats. I don't hear of dozens of new boats being built.

I do think it is possible to some how combined the 850 and 750 classes. I don't know the answer as to how. The guys that own them should collectively make the call. History says a few will end up upset and not conform. It does seem to me they are close now. After all the 750's make much more power than their name.

I believe the constant redirecting of class rules is a big part of the problem. Rule changes play a part in the separating of groups. Consistency is a good thing in rules.

I suggest every fan, participant and equipment owner to support your favorite group. Complaining about what it could be, has been or should be doesn't help IMO.

Lead change by example not talk.

 

[Ratickle]

I believe the constant redirecting of class rules is a big part of the problem. Rule changes play a part in the separating of groups. Consistency is a good thing in rules.

100% agree, It's the only reason we don't have a race boat currently......

 

[Sean Stinson]

Yeah but what do they know? They keep it simple and it works.

Over here the U.S. teams race "United" which apparently means "Separately together" or some such.

As a seasoned veteran of the TV editing room, I can assure you that the more difficult the program is to explain to the viewer, the worse it will do in ratings.

T2x

I am working on it....I am working on it!!!! Patience grasshopper for seed money feeds seed money!!!!