Biloxi Musings

[C_Spray]

..Lead change by example not talk.

Although I'm "only" a spectator (and therefore an income-producing entity for the race sites, promoters, and racers), my example has been to stop attending. I haven't been to Key West since 2001. That's my message.

All anyone needs to do is look at the CART/Indy numbers of 1994 versus the IRL/Indy number of today. The lesson is there. I don't care which sanctioning body emerges from a unification, as long as there IS a unification.

I admire ALL racers for getting out there and putting their a$$es and money on the line. I just wish that it meant more than it does right now.

 

[Brownie]

EXTREMELY well said, Chuck!

 

[T2x]

Thanks Rich,

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.

.

Indeed, Cat light makes the most sense of all the classes in that rebuilds are virtually nil if you take sensible care of the spec powerplants, the boats are fast enough for great racing and there is a lot of talent in the class. As far as the "big guys", stop giving them an opportunity to create bigger and different classes. If there were no turbines at Biloxi you would have lost two boats. If there were no cat lights you would have lost six. Why have all these classes voting on their own rules in the first place? Take all the twin inboard cat guys and lock them into a room until they create a class that works for all of them. Treat each additional class like a disease not a "cure", and make the goal to be a truly interesting and competitive product, not an opportunity to buy a trophy. This can only occur, of course, if you have series sponsor money to dictate the rules, and you won't get that until you have an interesting and competitive product, so the circle continues.

The path out of this maze is simple, but not easy.

1. Get a cash sponsor for a 2 class annual series
2. Get a quality TV package on a real network
3. Leverage #'s 1 and 2 for individual racer sponsorships

Everything else is ego building and not germaine to the sport's success.

T2x

 

[T2x]

EXTREMELY well said, Chuck!

Yeah, what he said.........

 

[Ratickle]

Heck, I've only asked for the four sanctioning bodies to come up with two or three classes where a boat is legal to run in all of them. Like SVL, Cat Light, and maybe a big $ boy class. Seems simple to me. Then we could race all races in a reasonably close range and develope a following without traveling all over, which for us would be very difficult.

 

[Brownie]

Hell, if they would just stop racing on the same day, it would be a start.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Well it seems we agree. I just like a positive spin on the present. There are many boats of different configurations and people willing to run them. Until the sport pays these guys need a place to go. There are different approaches out there and a place for everyone willing.

I have been waiting for over ten years for a cash sponsor. A real one would be a game changer for sure. If you could make money racing it because realistic to build for a class.

Unfortunately it is still a chicken and the egg story.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Heck, I've only asked for the four sanctioning bodies to come up with two or three classes where a boat is legal to run in all of them. Like SVL, Cat Light, and maybe a big $ boy class. Seems simple to me. Then we could race all races in a reasonably close range and develope a following without traveling all over, which for us would be very difficult.

Paul, Running a few races of each group doesn't help as much as running all of one.

 

[T2x]

Unfortunately it is still a chicken and the egg story.

Yes except that the calls for class simplification and reunification pre date most of the equipment in use today.

It's not a case of finding someplace for all of the race boats to race....all that does(did) is encourage people to deviate and make even more classes. It's a case of sitting down and explaining that the current path will lead no where and without some compromise and ability to simplify, the whole thing is a monumental waste of time and a traveling circus.

I agree with Chuck's respect for a guy putting his *ss and boat on the line, but if he is not willing to race against a truly competitive group...he may be fast, he may be excited.....but he isn't a racer, and he isn't helping to build the sport.....no matter how much money he has, or how loudly he postures in meetings.

T2x

 

[T2x]

Hell, if they would just stop racing on the same day, it would be a start.

"United We Race....Separately"

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Again I agree, but you can't go back.

It appears to me the trend is moving back to less classes. Entry classes aside.
My personal choice would be 3 classes as premiere. Let attrition take its path. Don't mess with the stronger boat count classes and like you say encourage new racers to build into existing classes.



Maybe I can spin the current economics into a good thing. No manufacture is in a position to dictate. Now would be a good time for outside money to get involved.

 

[Top Banana]

"United We Race....Separately"

What is it with old guys always stirring the pot?

I agree with your plan 100%.

Just let's get it done and let's get the racing back off the beach so the ocean plays a part again.

 

[T2x]

Again I agree, but you can't go back.

Why not......? Is that some kind of rule? The sport started humbly in the late 50's, rose to meteoric heights in the 70's and 80's (with 1 premier and 3 other classes), and slipped inexorably downward since the first split when OPT(SBI today) broke away from APBA. If SBI could walk away from bankruptcy twice and stubbornly hang on, what rules really apply?

Simply terminate all of the alphabet groups and belly up to the bar........

Why not get all of the racers, from all of the groups together and make them put their money where their "United We Race" slogan is? Want more reason to go back? There were more boats in any one class back in the day, then you had in 10 classes last weekend.

T2x

 

[T2x]

What is it with old guys always stirring the pot?

I don't think it's really an age thing.... It's more like we were able to experience something that today's racers never saw and don't believe existed.

It wasn't about the race courses or era, it was about the logic that existed and the simple fundamental way that racing was conducted. As soon as multiple alternatives were introduced, it became politicized,"flexible", and contrived, and, frankly, a lot of racers went elsewhere as a result. I see competitive spirit blossoming in everything from Golf to Pro Football...Why is boat racing abounding with guys who do not want to race heads up? In fact there is more competition between the boat racing organizations, than on the race course.

T2x

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I love your optimism Rich. My "in the day" is not does not go as far back as yours , but I remember them from '85 on and participated in F2 in its best days. I have participated in some Big worlds and some not so big. I have witnessed the rise and fall of superV. I have seen the blower motors removed and return.

I have always participated in some way. I am not a spectator or an equipment owner. I crew or drive and most often both.

I find it hard to believe anyone has wanted this more than I. I still have hope. The best thing I can do is support my favorite group.

 

[TCEd]

Please don't get offended, I love offshore boats, their heritage and the occasional race. I been a fan since the early-80's. I think the sport as presented is club racing similar to SCCA club events or even the Reno air races. Big investments and little to no return financial return.
ed

 

[T2x]

I find it hard to believe anyone has wanted this more than I. I still have hope. The best thing I can do is support my favorite group.

If you really want it that badly, maybe standing up to your favorite group is a better tactic. Hold them accountable for unification...and nothing else until that's accomplished.

In reality we want the same thing...I'm just a little less patient about it than you are. After all some of us have less time to waste waiting for the promise to be fulfilled.

T2x

 

[T2x]

I think the sport as presented is club racing similar to SCCA club events or even the Reno air races. Big investments and little to no return financial return.
ed

If that's what you accept...then that's what you'll get.

 

[smokeybandit]

What is it with old guys always stirring the pot?

I agree with your plan 100%.

Just let's get it done and let's get the racing back off the beach so the ocean plays a part again.

Amen to that.

 

[Top Banana]

I don't think it's really an age thing.... It's more like we were able to experience something that today's racers never saw and don't believe existed. T2x

Okay then let's give it to them.

HORBA had planned on staging a race from Miami to Key West next February on the weekend after the Miami Boat show. It is the second oldest course in US offshore history, after the Catalina race. It is 185 miles non-stop.

HORBA will gladly give up the sponsorship to any other sanctioning body or any group that say they want to race together and will help in any way we can to put the race on.

Let's call it an OCEAN Race, not Offshore.

February is before the start of the regular season for any sanctioning body, so we are not infringing on your dates. Anybody and everybody is free to help. All of the world boating press will be in town for the boat show, so there will be plenty of coverage from the boating world.

Whatever simple classes we come up with should also include an opportunity for the average guy to get in on this too. Guys like Bob the Builder, have said they are in....and he is not a racer in any group out there.