Biloxi Musings

[Jeff Helmkamp]

Jim, you are correct, my perspective is through a lens, but I’m not getting paid by anyone so I am more a fan than anything. Therefore, the more boats I see the better. Long intervals between boats are tough for spectators and cameramen who are stationary. That is why I say on a long course put all the boats out there that safety will allow due to the diverse speeds. Eventually, there will be boats at all points on the course. The more boats that are going by the spectators the more interested they will be.

As I stated earlier, I started watching offshore in ’93 with SBR. They didn’t have many boats at the LOTO race that year but I still enjoyed it because I didn’t have a barometer to go by. Then I went to Key West in November of 94 and there were over a hundred boats (all orgs were represented there) that was a blast. There were just about as many open boats there then as there are in total at any race, any org puts on now. As a side note, I follow drag racing also and they are having trouble getting full 16 car fields also. The only drag racing that is thriving right now is the Outlaw Pro Mod’s running 1/8 mile in ADRL. Heck, the IHRA is having trouble getting 8 car fields when they are supposed to be 16. I don’t know the reason why offshore has lost so many of its competitors, I suspect I know the reason though. I just know that we will never have another 94 or 95 Key West until all the orgs come together to make it happen

I just don’t get why all the orgs don’t work together to make it happen. JC can’t be pleased when he gets 16 or whatever the number of boats that were in NY last year. Now, if OPA and OSS were there thus bringing the number up to 60 or 70, now that would be a race his sponsors and the spectators would enjoy and I suspect most competitors as well.

Lately, I have only been to OSS races and the Worlds in Key West so I don’t know what an OPA or SBI race is like without it being in Key West. I really like the brand of racing OSS puts on, I just wish they would put more boats on the course at a time. If they only have 26 boats in the pits then find a way to get two races of 13 boats in each race if you can’t get them all out there.

Having said all that, I still cannot wait until the next boat race on my schedule. I appreciate all Ron, JC, and Smitty do to put on the races; I just wish they were all together at the same venue.

 

[1waterboy1]

We dont need joint races...we need one organization period.I really think that APBA Offshore was on the right track..great race sites with national and regional circuts, two days of racing,two premiere featured classes(Super Cat and Super Vee)...manufactuers classes with manufacturer support(Mercury,GM, and the boat companies in Factory 2 and Factory 1)..and run what you brung classes for everything else(Performance 1,2,3,4,5).There was very competitive racing in the top classes(SC,SV,F2 and F1) with usually 15 and as many as 25(F2) or more boats in each class.The overall boat count was usually a minimum of 60 with as many as 90!The televsion program showed racing...it was not a commercial for a boat company,or a show featuring the parties or the lifestyle of offshore powerboat racers!

So what happened?Why did the sport split,and then split again?Does anyone actually think that the sport is better now than it was at the end of 2003?There may have been some issues; but the worst thing to do was to start another organization.It has been said so many times before,but why cant we learn from the past.This has all happened many times before,not only in offshore;but in other forms of motorsports as well.After all,the fued between CART and IRL produced disastrous results in what once was the greatest motorsport event in the world;the Indianapolis 500.At least they finally merged, and interest in indy car racing is on the rise again.

APBA,NPBA,USPBA,OPT,USO,SBI,APBA OFFSHORE,OSS,OPA,OPS....whats next?The sport simply cannot thrive with multiple sanctioning bodies.I bet if a full merger was achieved,alot more people would be interested in offshore powerboat racing again.The results speak for themselves.

And lets get back to racing in the ocean!In my opinion,heat races in flat water are better suited for hydroplanes.We dont need the huge courses of the old days that took boats miles out to sea.I think multiple lap short course races in rough water would level the playing field and keep the boats close.This would be exciting for the racers and the fans.

Offshore powerboat racing is an awesome motorsport.The key to commercial success is televsion.Since we are not getting a gate at the races;why are we so focused on inshore racing?The crowds were much larger in the seventies and eighties;and the people on shore only saw the boats at the begining and the end of the race.We need to capture the spectacle of boats with screaming engines leaping off the ocean swells racing not only each other but the ocean itself.That is something that even the casual fan has shown interest in.

Lets all work together to get it headed in the right direction again.The first step in unification.I still believe that offshore has alot of potential to be the next great motorsport.

 

[Ratickle]

Does anyone actually think that the sport is better now than it was at the end of 2003?

After all,the fued between CART and IRL resulted in disastrous results in what once was the greatest motorsport event in the world;the Indianapolis 500.At least they finally merged, and interest in indy car racing is on the rise again.


Offshore powerboat racing is an awesome motorsport.The key to commercial success is televsion.We need to capture the spectacle of boats with screaming engines leaping off the ocean swells racing not only each other but the ocean itself.That is something that even the casual fan has shown interest in. Lets all work together to get it headed in the right direction again.The first step is unification.I still believe that our sport has alot of potential to be the next great motorsport.

Usually don't quote those I don't know, but well said. It's up to all of us to work at it.

 

[cigdaze]

So what happened?Why did the sport split,and then split again?Does anyone actually think that the sport is better now than it was at the end of 2003?There may have been some issues; but the worst thing to do was to start another organization.It has been said so many times before,but why cant we learn from the past.This has all happened many times before,not only in offshore;but in other forms of motorsports as well.After all,the fued between CART and IRL produced disastrous results in what once was the greatest motorsport event in the world;the Indianapolis 500.At least they finally merged, and interest in indy car racing is on the rise again.

Better now? No way; and it won't be until we strip the plurality from the word organization(s). It's obvious that merging will never happen, so someone is going to have to concede - be it willfully or and the behest of the racers. And this one organization, whichever it is, will have to stop making classes for boats, and start insisting on making boats for classes.

 

[Dunbar 104]

I think it is pretty simple. Competitors will seek competition. Quit rewarding those that run from it, those that buy victory, and those that race in the wrong class. Heaven for bid that you just might have to sell your boat and buy something that is competitive, or change classes to be in a class that you can afford, or be competive in. And for those that a waiting for things change to there way of thinking. Your buoy kicker. Your never going to buy, or race anything.

 

[TCEd]

Looking at the SBI, OSS and OPA schedules it looks like each sanctioning body has claimed a geographical region. SBI has Florida, OPA has the upper east and Michigan and OSS has the Gulf ,mid-south and Lotto.
Other than the big money teams do most racers run within their sanctioning body and save some travel costs or cross over and run everyones events ?
ed

 

[Pete B]

Dunbar 104,
You are correct about some running from competition, SVL is the Most affordable, and safe way to race. with Cat OB a close 2nd. but instead of joining ranks with boats of similar hulls/Motors they run to where chance of a win is more probable.

Congrats on your win in Biloxi!!

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

TCEd

No question it is easier to stay close to home. I don't see any correlation between proximity and consistency

I studied last years teams near the end of last season. As I remember In OSS 18 of 22 boat average did every event for OSS. Only 3 did all of SBI events. In OPA 17 did every event and 24 did all 3 Geico cup Events.

Amsoil run the most events All OSS most OPA and a few West coast. Geico did many as well. Ryan ran all OSS plus 3 SBI, Sarasota Marathon and Key West.

There were a bunch that did pick and choose convenient travel events.

I believe the best thing a racer can do is race a complete series.

Everyone likes to talk about boat count. Consistent boats racing is more important then registered boats or a single big event. IMO

 

[Ratickle]

Dunbar 104,
You are correct about some running from competition, SVL is the Most affordable, and safe way to race. with Cat OB a close 2nd. but instead of joining ranks with boats of similar hulls/Motors they run to where chance of a win is more probable.

Congrats on your win in Biloxi!!

I was looking at Cat OB, but was convinced for a beginner, a cat is not the best starter boat. So SVL is currently where I pay attention.

ANd I would be staying as close to home as possible. I would love to be able to tow all over, but if all the orgs had an SVL class, I would do the NY?Jersey, LOTO, St Clair & Harrison etc.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Paul, You could run a SVL OSS legal boat in the other classes in the other groups. If you modify it you can run it in Pro AM OSS. I may be wrong, but I think the motor is worth more as sealed stock. There was a SBI class boat with a vortec that ran in Pro AM last week end.

 

[Next Generation]

because augie and billy martin are still racing their's in the p classes...and the rest were confiscated by the government..... :d

t2x

lmao!

 

[Dunbar 104]

ANd I would be staying as close to home as possible. I would love to be able to tow all over, but if all the orgs had an SVL class, I would do the NY?Jersey, LOTO, St Clair & Harrison etc.[/QUOTE]


That is what causes the problem we currently have. Pick a series If you really want to race SVL your going to have to travel and run OSS. Sorry but if your not willing to travel than your not ready to race SVL. Asking series that does not have a class following just adds to the problem. Last year we had a race in in Havasu. Alot of the SVLs were not going to go. Brad Johnson who drives from California to race SVL with us asked that we go his direction and race, and almost every team made it. 3500 miles for some. It was a good race we won.

 

[MarylandMark]

Travel costs is an issue that would hopefully solve itself if there was one organization which would IMHO lead to better sponsorships. You think Dale Jr is manning the register at the Chevy parts counter M-F to race on Sunday?

 

[Ratickle]

ANd I would be staying as close to home as possible. I would love to be able to tow all over, but if all the orgs had an SVL class, I would do the NY?Jersey, LOTO, St Clair & Harrison etc.

That is what causes the problem we currently have. Pick a series If you really want to race SVL your going to have to travel and run OSS. Sorry but if your not willing to travel than your not ready to race SVL. Asking series that does not have a class following just adds to the problem. Last year we had a race in in Havasu. Alot of the SVLs were not going to go. Brad Johnson who drives from California to race SVL with us asked that we go his direction and race, and almost every team made it. 3500 miles for some. It was a good race we won.

Wasn't my point, sorry.

What I meant was, if there was only one org, or if all orgs had a SVL or similar where one, which I will call it entry level - nonbracket class boat, would fit. We would be racing. I can't take time off work, (well now I could, but Terri can't), and support a race boat and travel all over.

I would love too, but don't have the budget.

Remember the old Great Lakes Silver Series? (Think that's right). Was very popular and well attended. Leave work Friday evening, tow to site, race Sat or Sun, tow home, at work Monday.


And qualify for Worlds....

 

[T2x]

Funny, I believe Mike A came up with "Shut up and Race". I came up with "United we Race" and Haggin ran with it. I just never imagined it would be this hard to accomplish.

Having one group sanction Offshore Racing is not hard.......it's really simple...too simple apparently for the "great minds" to grasp at times.

The fact is that maybe all of the real racers, the guys who worked within a single set of rules for the first 30 years of Offshore racing..... or got beached for a year for cheating..... have disappeared. There was no whining about a boat being 2 inches too short, or faster in certain conditions, or having a bigger budget. It was what it was.

Sadly, today...it is what it is.

May I suggest a new slogan?

"Shut up and race United"

T2x

 

[T2x]

This may be as simple as having a series of meetings of all race boat owners on a conference call schedule. Make the agenda simple.

What races will you all attend, either regionally or nationally?

How can you all fit into 2 major and x number of minor classes?

After that give the rules to the so-called sanctioning bodies and tell them that you will race under these conditions or not at all....... and that you will only tolerate one group of officials (elected by you...but then give them authority and shut up), directors(appointed by elected officials), and safety personnel....(so they can't saddle you with featherbedded "extras" and so they cannot schedule races on the same dates).

See, It's really very simple. Isn't it?

T2x

 

[Dunbar 104]

Wasn't my point, sorry.

What I meant was, if there was only one org, or if all orgs had a SVL or similar where one, which I will call it entry level - nonbracket class boat, would fit. We would be racing. I can't take time off work, (well now I could, but Terri can't), and support a race boat and travel all over.

I would love too, but don't have the budget.

Remember the old Great Lakes Silver Series? (Think that's right). Was very popular and well attended. Leave work Friday evening, tow to site, race Sat or Sun, tow home, at work Monday.


And qualify for Worlds....

I understand what you are saying, I just think it is better for the sport to race twice a year with 10 boats heads up vs. 5 times local with one or 2 boats.

 

[T2x]

Wasn't my point, sorry.


Remember the old Great Lakes Silver Series? (Think that's right). Was very popular and well attended. Leave work Friday evening, tow to site, race Sat or Sun, tow home, at work Monday.


And qualify for Worlds....

Great Lakes Silver Cup Series and the other regional series all fed off ...and fed...... The National Series. Everything was complimentary to each other. The smaller series emulated the larger ones. The "Big Boys" raced in the National races only, while the smaller guys made the National races in their respective regions and attended the "World's" at year's end, but everything was under one banner and one set of rules.

Successful races make more successful races and bring more people into the sport. It's what the novice finds after he gets the bug that makes all the difference. If the venue is simple, uniform and growing, all kinds of good things happen. If it's fragmented, convoluted and hamstrung by egos and Pied Pipers, it's going to crash and burn.

T2x

 

[Sean Stinson]

...............................................SURU Offshore!!!!!................................................

 

[Sean Stinson]

Nice ring to it Rich