Boats.com story on "Whatever Happened to Offshore Powerboat Racing?"

[FastDonzi]

I'll see what I can find out. Maybe Martin has some contacts over there he can check with.

And, not being on TV is not an option. How can I become a world renowned super-star like you guys if there's no TV? :sifone:

If the whole "Boat Racing"thing doesn't work out for you, there's always Porn:03:

 

[WHEELMAN]

There is nothing like watching a NNRT tape with real offshore racing cats vs vees. watching these tapes made you feel like you were in the race. It wasn't always about who won but finishing to earn points for the national championship. Teams took pride in the sport.

 

[1waterboy1]

I think the concept of a stock Mercury 500hp (then EFI, then 525 EFI) in a twin (F-2) or Single (F-1) class open boat was the key to success for the boat counts. To have almost 40 boats between F-1 & F-2 in St. Pete was amazing...in just 2 classes. All of the boats were open boats (no canopies) and more or less were stock production boats (in the begining). Then many became "potato chip" race boats. For Formula to have raced and won many races (historically viewed upon as a well made but heavier slower boat) that was quite a statement there.

The F-1 & F-2 was as basic as racing got and was extremely competitive and the tech inspectors did their best to keep the playing field fair.

Checkbook racing gets old real quick. What is more impressive? A field of 12 36-40ft Cats with twin 750's chasing each other on the race course or 2 boats that run 180mph????

The other key to success are race sites that WELCOME the race and come up with the money to put the races on. Cities like Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Key West and other like them would turn their towns upside down for a race. Over the last few years, alot of the local businesses want a race but don't want to put the $$$ up to bring the show to town.

If all race sites were like St. Clair, MI...........the job of a sanctioning body would almost be easy. (well........never easy but a heck of alot easier!)

Excellent points Dave....I agree 100%

Mark H.
PS-See you Sunday!

 

[THEJOKER]

Excellent points Dave....I agree 100%

Mark H.
PS-See you Sunday!

Bingo!

 

[Ratickle]

Dave,

You are so right. My family raced from 1973-1978 and the principal reason my father pulled out was because it really was not a place for families to be anymore. It got really scary and carried on through the 1980's. In my second year of law school at Miami in 1987 I went to KW to visit with some folks who used to be part of my dad's open boat crew. I saw some things on the dock and dry pits that day that really scared the hell out of me. I did not go to another race until 1996

Someday I hope to have a few drinks and hear the rest of that story from you....

 

[DaveP]

Someday I hope to have a few drinks and hear the rest of that story from you....

If you want some great stories from the 80's.....

Brownie, T2x, Phil Lewis, Richie Powers, Bob Saccenti and others from that era have awesome stories.

I liked Bobby's story about a "visitor" from NY that showed up on his doorstep one night in Miami. I could tell you more......but I'd have to kill you :sifone:

 

[NNRT]

There is nothing like watching a NNRT tape with real offshore racing cats vs vees. watching these tapes made you feel like you were in the race. It wasn't always about who won but finishing to earn points for the national championship. Teams took pride in the sport.

Thank you !

It was a TEAM effort - Pilot, Narrator - plus a little editing with the sound turned off (heard it once before already).

btw - do I know you - ?

Phil
nnrt.films@verizon.net

 

[catastrophe]

One of the best threads I've read through. Thanks to you all.

 

[Ratickle]

If you want some great stories from the 80's.....

Brownie, T2x, Phil Lewis, Richie Powers, Bob Saccenti and others from that era have awesome stories.

I liked Bobby's story about a "visitor" from NY that showed up on his doorstep one night in Miami. I could tell you more......but I'd have to kill you :sifone:

There are a lot of those stories that never get told except over drinks. Quite a few drinks are required first I hear.........:sifone:

 

[DaveP]

A story from Brownie from another website:

"About 25 years ago, I was officiating the 'Cougar Cub' World Championships in Key West. We were all there for the Worlds, with all the 3 and 4 engine boats. On the off day, we held the Cub championship. Most all the teams had one painted up just like the big boat. Toward the end of the day, someone brought us a box of chicken and some beer. We put it on the hood of the nearest car, and continued to watch the heat races. Up comes Al, and says "What the f**k is that KFC doing on the hood of my car??????? He swooped it off with one hand, jumped in his Agusta Bell 109 chooper, flew to Miami, and brought back a chopper load of Popeye's for everyone."

The good ole days!

 

[DaveP]

Another great Copeland Story from back in the day compliments of T2x from another site:

"Early 90's and the level of excitement at the Key West World's had definitely faded from the "glory days"..... The bars were quiet and the streets half empty. A favorite hangout of the true racers was always the beach bar in the Pier House..... We were sitting there one evening with about a half dozen people lamenting the fact that in past years there was always so many more people at the place, when Copeland and his entourage showed up...... at about Midnight. Al yelled "Where's the PARTY?" and proceeded to settle in and join the B.S. Within maybe 15 minutes the place was crowded almost to the old levels. Al was eyeing a baseball hat with a blond ponytail sticking out the back that I had found in some dive on Duvall Street. He wanted to buy it for $100 and I declined the offer. Later he spotted a young couple who had been sitting off by themselves. After a few questions, he found out that they were newlyweds enjoying their honeymoon. Now let me state that these were a couple of clean cut midwest kids who had nothing to do with Al, the races or anything beyond being in a place they had dreamed of probably for years. After a few more questions it became clear that these were very simple people who were more than a little overwhelmed by Al and his approach. Al turns to the rest of us and says "How much you wanna bet , I can get her ( the young bride) to dance topless on a table within 15 minutes?".........

Within what seemed seconds the betting had swelled to about $15,000.....and my hat. Anyone sitting there could not possibly have pictured this simple homegrown young bride doing anything but slapping him in the face.

After all the bets were in, I can't recall who held the pot
............maybe Dave Gilmore........ Al proceeded to have a quiet conversation with the young couple. As we watched, both the bride and the groom looked at times angry, shocked, confused, upset, desperate.......and then, suddenly, they seemed to change. The husband began to talk in a plaintive way to his wife, she giggled a little, and responded hesitantly but then with some enthusiasm.

Bottom line the next thing we know....she's up on the table......topless and dancing to beat the band....(stereo actually).

After this display Al walks over to them has a quick word and they walk away...."Thanking" us all.....???????

Al came back and took the cash...and my hat..... and explained. .......

He split the pot with them and they wound up with $10,000 for a deposit on a house they were saving for..... The 10 grand put them over the top.

Like Barnum....Copeland had a grasp of the human condition and was the supreme hustler....."

 

[T2x]

67 inch.

Understood...but 5 years from now how big will it be?

 

[T2x]

I have reconsidered my position, and have decided that only path to success is to have an attorney run the whole goddam thing. After all, look what they are doing for congress..........

You crack me up...........

 

[T2x]

I have seen teams try to make the sport "more profesional" and seen teams spend virtually millions of dollars of thier own money for the better of the sport.

Do not automatically mix the terms "teams spending millions of their own money" and "for the good of the sport". These terms can be (and often have been) mutually exclusive.

T2x

 

[T2x]

But none of those guys were players at the 2000 Worlds with 147 boats there. They may have built the original model through unlimited funds out of their own pockets, but extremely successful eras ensued since. So there is no way to say that is the only reason for success in this sport.

The 2000 Worlds fleet was heavily fueled by big boat and engine manufacturers supporting Factory racing and spec engine classes, as well as Dot.com money. Unfortunately the ROI for companies like Formula, Donzi, Fountain, et al was not sustainable and the Dot.com bubble burst.

IMHO We need a non marine products based sponsor (insurance co, American Express, Verizon etc) preferably with a global market presence as a key sponsor for the series.

T2x

 

[T2x]

Guys,

I said this earlier but I need to say it again: There were many things APBA Offshore LLC did that were very, very right. The 2000 Worlds were the best, far and away, that I ever attended. Great boats, great racing, tons of sponsors, great energy. The TV package was good ... and getting better. Sure, the Factory classes were born under Gene Whipp, but the LLC did a great job maintaining their momentum. The Super Cat and Super Cat Light classes were fantastic.

During the 2000 Worlds on Saturday night (if memory serves), there was a concert by some new male teen sensation we'd probably all hate, but our adolescent daughters would love. The LLC was wisely taking a page from the UIM Class 1 book in making the worlds "bigger" than an offshore race. That was smart as hell.

For better or worse, whatever you or I think, the LLC approached the sport as a business. And here is the one thing I think everyone who has posted on this thread will agree on: If offshore racing is to have a resurgence and succeed, there's no other way to approach it.

Last, I received a couple of emails from a few of you on here urging me to keep things polite and civil. If I came across in my last post as anything less than that, all apologies.

Matt:

You were not impolite in any way. I don't know who sent the emails but if this thread is to have any integrity....tell them to stick it.

P.S. To those who sent the emails: Please send some to me so I can politely ignore them.

T2x

 

[T2x]

Dave,

You are so right. My family raced from 1973-1978 and the principal reason my father pulled out was because it really was not a place for families to be anymore. It got really scary and carried on through the 1980's. In my second year of law school at Miami in 1987 I went to KW to visit with some folks who used to be part of my dad's open boat crew. I saw some things on the dock and dry pits that day that really scared the hell out of me. I did not go to another race until 1996

Sissy..........

 

[T2x]

Matt,

To bring the thread back around I will close with this message to the new guys who are following this discussion: No matter what happens, or how bad things seem to be, NEVER participate in a boycott and never follow a splinter group. Do what it takes within the existing system to make it better. Do not fall for anyone who claims they will make it bigger and better for you if you will only follow them. They have an agenda, a selfish and hidden one no doubt designed to serve their interest not yours. Their promise of greener pastures is invariably an empty one. Strive for unification and once achieved keep it together.

That is probably the best point made in this whole thread.

T2x

 

[Mike A.]

Do not automatically mix the terms "teams spending millions of their own money" and "for the good of the sport". These terms can be (and often have been) mutually exclusive.

T2x

Bingo.

 

[Mike A.]

The 2000 Worlds fleet was heavily fueled by big boat and engine manufacturers supporting Factory racing and spec engine classes, as well as Dot.com money. Unfortunately the ROI for companies like Formula, Donzi, Fountain, et al was not sustainable and the Dot.com bubble burst.

IMHO We need a non marine products based sponsor (insurance co, American Express, Verizon etc) preferably with a global market presence as a key sponsor for the series.

T2x

Like GM? Uuuuh, ooops. :leaving: