SVL Rule change OSS/OPA

[imco offshore]

mark i,m not trying to be mean, in any way, but it seems that the people that don,t race and have 3,4,5,thousand post seem to have all the reasons, why , the guy,s that are racing are doing it wrong , bottom line there are only about 3 or 4 people that can change the issues. the other 200 of us are just racers and we go were their is a race. your wisdom would be more powerfull if you came race, and then you could sit in a drivers meeting , physicals, tech, insp ect... it would let you see first hand what really happens and not what you read on this computer. Jim and I are going to st clair and we would be glad to have you hang out and join us , jim makes a great margareita please feel free to come by, hell well put a team shirt on you and put ya to work, come to the meetings, partys and after we win you can you can come up on the stage and get a pic taken com,on :03:

 

[imco offshore]

Maybe but some how I doubt it... :ack2:

ps- I emailed Chris over a week ago reindlpowerboats@aol.com but haven't heard back. Sorry- was pretend racing on my boat the last few days to check back in with him..

mark yea i called 3 times and didn,t get any response either, come :driving: by anyway

 

[MarylandMark]

Sorry for being a pr1ck IMCO. Thanks for coming back at me as someone trying to get others interested in racing and extending the invite! Really- no group hugs but I mean that.

I've honestly never been interested in racing until recently with what looks like a valid effort to join forces. Look around- I don't have many post on racing threads. Just not my cup of tea- poker runs are much more fun IMHO- but if this new format gets off the ground it is very much more appealing.

St.Clair can't happen for me (I know- 'nother excuse) but thanks for the invite! I've had some interesting emails in the last few days so hopefully you may see me wearing a helmet sooner than not.

 

[SVL66]

George just needs someone to wash his boat:sifone:

 

[Ratickle]

.... it seems that the people that don,t race and have 3,4,5,thousand post seem to have all the reasons, why , the guy,s that are racing are doing it wrong , bottom line there are only about 3 or 4 people that can change the issues. the other 200 of us are just racers and we go were their is a race......

George, We realize that to a certain extent. Obviously I'm one of those.

What I don't understand, is why the racers cannot pool their influence and get the P classes and the two reasonably expensive SVL and Cat Outboard standardized between orgs. You guys are making a valiant effort right now. If you pull it off, your SVL is gonna be worth more money too. And I believe you will be surprised at how many racers start back up with you guys.

Look at the excitement that has been generated between the Sarasota and St Clair races just because you guys are trying to temporarily standardize class rules currently. I love it.

As you said, the time away from work/business is expensive and the main reason you may change to only a couple races a year. And you live in the state with the most organized races of any state. How do you think it is for us in MI and MD where the travel is up to a thousand of miles for most races?

I almost bought a boat in 2003 at the Worlds. I watch and listen to every one that comes up for sale, have talked to many potential sponsors, and have a fairly decent plan together (I think). I still have not because of the issues with classes. I know you believe that is an excuse, but to me it is a reason. I have limited time on weekends to do things. If I'm investing $100,000 in the first year, Terri and I need to do more than three or four races within driving distance. And that investment needs to maintain its value.

That investment also needs to pay off for my potential sponsors who want a ten race minimum return on their investment (at least the ones I've discussed this with).

Anyway, I'll see you guys in St Clair. In the meantime, I'll do some more research. I have not been able to get any emails answered with Reindl either.

For all of us interested, the physical needed, or current CDL, is it a class 3 pilots only?

I do really envy the racing you are able to do and am very thankful for all of you who do your damndest to keep the sport alive and exciting for the rest of us. Do not for a second think that in any way we do not respect that effort. We'd just like to be with you and add to the fleet.


Paul

 

[Ryan Beckley]

For any organization/class you are supposed to have a current FAA or DOT physical.

 

[Dunbar 104]

George, We realize that to a certain extent. Obviously I'm one of those.

What I don't understand, is why the racers cannot pool their influence and get the P classes and the two reasonably expensive SVL and Cat Outboard standardized between orgs. You guys are making a valiant effort right now. If you pull it off, your SVL is gonna be worth more money too. And I believe you will be surprised at how many racers start back up with you research.


Paul

Really??? The SVL and SS are already about the same. SVL is the same execpt for the Vortec motor. That is 2 boats. One that won't race with OSS anyway. SS the diff is what the rpm 8200 vs 8500 and you can still run an open boat in SBI.

Rules will always be changing in any motorsport.

 

[Sean H]

Really??? The SVL and SS are already about the same. SVL is the same execpt for the Vortec motor. That is 2 boats. One that won't race with OSS anyway. SS the diff is what the rpm 8200 vs 8500 and you can still run an open boat in SBI.

Rules will always be changing in any motorsport.

Exactly. A 2.5 canopied cat can race anywhere. A 525 canopied svl can race anywhere. I wouldn't look at a boat that wasn't that way for those two classes anyway if you want to be able to run with the leaders.

 

[Ratickle]

I have every rules book. This is from the OPA website. I do not even see a SVL class in OPA, and when I discussed that early in the season, I was told I could only run it in P class. Was I mis-informed?

And where is the 2.5 class for cats?


2009 OPA Racing Classes


EXTREME/TURBINE------------UNLIMITED

SUPERCAT---------750’S & 850’S

CAT LITE-----------525’S CATS

**CLASS 100----------115 MPH

SUPER VEE--------525’S

**CLASS 300----------95 MPH

**CLASS 400----------85 MPH

**CLASS 500----------75 MPH-BOAT SIZE LIMIT 30FT

**CLASS 600----------70 MPH-BOAT SIZE LIMIT 26FT

VEES ONLY IN CLASS 400, 500, & 600!
CLASS ASSIGNMENT DETERMINED BY PROP CALCULATION!
**SPEEDS ARE VERIFIED BY GPS-NO GPS, NO MONEY!**

 

[Sean H]

You have seen that OPA and OSS will be running together right?

 

[Ratickle]

You have seen that OPA and OSS will be running together right?

Yes, now.

And that's what I'm saying (or trying too), if this happens with the standardization of classes within the orgs, I think you'll see everyone coming out of the woodwork. It's a great thing. It is currently impossible for me personally because of that disconnect between standardization and the expectations of potential sponsors/wife.

 

[Ratickle]

You have seen that OPA and OSS will be running together right?

But was I mis-informed? Those two classes really do exist in OPA before this?

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

But was I mis-informed? Those two classes really do exist in OPA before this?

I think they did not exist before.

 

[Sean H]

I hate to tell ya, if you are waiting for everything to be exactly the same everywhere, you might as well find another sport. The only constant thing in offshore is change (good or bad).

 

[Ratickle]

I hate to tell ya, if you are waiting for everything to be exactly the same everywhere, you might as well find another sport. The only constant thing in offshore is change (good or bad).

But to me, good change means you do not obsolete boats currently campaigning for engines, drives, or hull design changes. That really hurts when considering expenditures and sponsor solicitation.

 

[Sean H]

in the two classes you are talking about, SS and SVL, what has been changed/obsoleted in the last 4-5 years? SVL is full of 5+ year old hulls with engines/drives that have been around longer? SS is basically the same as it always has been for the last decade except for the addition of canopies...

SS (Cat Outboard, Xcat) is probably the least changed class in the history of offshore with the exception of the no rules/extreme classes obviously.

 

[Dunbar 104]

I think this is his sport. 1001 reasons WHY I DONT RACE

Im not racing till Ford has a spec motor.
The super cats merge.
Fountain has a SVL
I don't have to travel more than 50 miles
Europe adopts SVL as a class.
My boat will depricate.
Sponsors start to call me cause they heard I might be racing.
The water is to Rough
The water is to FLat
I don't like Mercury.

 

[Ratickle]

in the two classes you are talking about, SS and SVL, what has been changed/obsoleted in the last 4-5 years? SVL is full of 5+ year old hulls with engines/drives that have been around longer? SS is basically the same as it always has been for the last decade except for the addition of canopies...

SS (Cat Outboard, Xcat) is probably the least changed class in the history of offshore with the exception of the no rules/extreme classes obviously.

Yep, and those are the two classes I consider on an almost daily basis.

If SVL was in OPA this year, I'd be running it. And it was all of you guys, plus the Under Destruction team, that convinced my wife and I to go for it in that class.

But, even though there were three very competitive boats for sale, the businesses I approached for funding wanted assurances I would compete in around 10 races and I couldn't afford the time.

But, if the OPA, OSS, and SBI would have had identical rules for SVL, there were enough races this year where I could have (within 12 hour drive). That's all I'm saying. It may not be me, (Michigan does not look good for income currently), but I have to believe there are others who feel the same.

Travel is very expensive when time and expense is factored in.

 

[Ratickle]

I think this is his sport. 1001 reasons WHY I DONT RACE

Im not racing till Ford has a spec motor.
The super cats merge.
Fountain has a SVL
I don't have to travel more than 50 miles
Europe adopts SVL as a class.
My boat will depricate.
Sponsors start to call me cause they heard I might be racing.
The water is to Rough
The water is to FLat
I don't like Mercury.

:sifone:

How about one, all current SVL's are legal at every race in an SVL or VL class and the rules for next year will be the same.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to watching all of you at St Clair and wish all of you were able to participate at Harrison and Michigan City as well.

 

[MarylandMark]

Exactly my thoughts Ratickle- I'm just not as eloquent.

Maryland is good for racin' OPA

MD, 2 in MI, NY, NJ, 2 in MD

See my shirt today for the class I'm going to run when my lottery tickets come out!