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The Great Unification
- Thread starter stevequick
- Start date
T2x
Icon/Charter Member
In looking at them, they repeat the same themes I have laid out for the past 20 years or so....albeit to a different audience. In truth the "debate" has become circular.
It started with over 200 boats with too many classes and 1 organization, went to 100 boats in too many classes with 2 organizations, and is now 50 boats with too many classes in 3 organizations. Each successive generation has become more thin skinned and defensive, until I'm afraid that Fever Mike is right. This isn't about logic or debating skill. It's about individual selfishness, territorial possessiveness and no real desire to create a true competition.
In short, I'm weary of this debate, and have much bigger fish to fry. Life is short, boating season is starting, and "It is, what it is".
In a couple of years when there are 25 boats in too many classes with 4 organizations, maybe I will re-engage, if only to continue to map the trend.
In the meantime I will be attending the OFF (Old Farts Forever) reunion and the Vintage regattas with my wing.
But thanks for asking.
T2x
SVL66
Charter Member
I agree with Rich...It is what it is. Nothing is gonna change. The strong will survive. Make the best of what we have and as Mike A. said "have fun and be safe". No one is making a career from racing. It's no different than going skiing out west for the weekend. An expensive hobby.
Steve Miklos
Charter Member / Competitor
I am with Rich, Bruce, Mike and Mike. It is clear nothing will change and most feel their is nothing to learn from the past.
Steve
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
I'm an optimist.
I look at what was and want to improve on that with the technology of today. We all love to watch the clips from old races with Rich and crew. With todays cameras, the number of helicopters in the air at large races, etc. It would be incredible excitement.
I look at P1 and see people making a living at it and it being on TV in other countries with a potential audience of over a Billion people. Just not here.
I see races that are exciting with even the numbers of boats currently entered on average.
I see racers who absolutely love the sport and want to see it grow.
And I see an event like the Bimini race with participants from all over the world running with very few issues of organizational rivalry.
So, I'm an optimist that it will happen. Just not sure how or when.
I look at what was and want to improve on that with the technology of today. We all love to watch the clips from old races with Rich and crew. With todays cameras, the number of helicopters in the air at large races, etc. It would be incredible excitement.
I look at P1 and see people making a living at it and it being on TV in other countries with a potential audience of over a Billion people. Just not here.
I see races that are exciting with even the numbers of boats currently entered on average.
I see racers who absolutely love the sport and want to see it grow.
And I see an event like the Bimini race with participants from all over the world running with very few issues of organizational rivalry.
So, I'm an optimist that it will happen. Just not sure how or when.
T2x
Icon/Charter Member
Not that I know of........... But , then again, no one has asked for me to join them...
T2x
Steve Miklos
Charter Member / Competitor
I'm an optimist.
I look at what was and want to improve on that with the technology of today. We all love to watch the clips from old races with Rich and crew. With todays cameras, the number of helicopters in the air at large races, etc. It would be incredible excitement.
I look at P1 and see people making a living at it and it being on TV in other countries with a potential audience of over a Billion people. Just not here.
I see races that are exciting with even the numbers of boats currently entered on average.
I see racers who absolutely love the sport and want to see it grow.
And I see an event like the Bimini race with participants from all over the world running with very few issues of organizational rivalry.
So, I'm an optimist that it will happen. Just not sure how or when.
Who says P1 is profitable? It is well funded but I highly doubt it is making a profit at this time.
This IS NOT a slam on P1. It is a highly ambitious undertaking done on a large scale. I like what they are doing. I just highly doubt they are anywhere near breaking even this early in.
Steve
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
I'm not saying they are profitable. I said there are racers, and race teams, making a living at it and it is growing.
Davidmnc
Contributor
Are you trolling??????:sifone:
Just kidding. Now, anyone out there need a curmudgeon???????
If so, I wonder how we can Mic him??????
Now that would be worth doing!!!
T2x
Icon/Charter Member
I was miked a few times when driving tunnel boats......
Later on people wanted to know what tune I was humming......and why I kept muttering "Excuse me please....coming through"...
Sylvester Stallone stole the humming thing in that dreadful Grand Prix movie he was in some years later.
T2x
Steve Miklos
Charter Member / Competitor
Well you are assuming they are making a living at it. I looked into doing P1 this year with several teams and that is not the impression I am under. I think the best example is the Fountain team that won it all is not racing this year. They did an incredible job and appeared to be having fun but did not go back this year.
P1 is a very expensive proposition. Even if the teams do become or are profitable it is not a long term viable operation UNLESS the sanctioning body can make a profit.
Steve
Perfectly said. And by the way, there is nothing wrong with skiiing!
I was miked a few times when driving tunnel boats......
Later on people wanted to know what tune I was humming......and why I kept muttering "Excuse me please....coming through"...
Sylvester Stallone stole the humming thing in that dreadful Grand Prix movie he was in some years later.
T2x
Damn, that movie was terrible.
SVL66
Charter Member
not at all
Love skiing, especially out west.... an expensive hobby, less stress and probably more fun.
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
I'm not being clear.
Guys like Nigel, and some of his support team, are making a living at it as far as I know. Same with some of the other teams. The sponsor teams I'm pretty sure are not at this time. But, if you look at the growth, and who they have attracted, they expect to be profitable down the road soon I think.
Sad but actually true. My family loves to ski. When we were racing, I was the only one who actually got to do it. Also, we can ski for a week in Colorado for a fraction of what it cost to race one time. And while the actual ski run is not as fun, per se, as the race, you can make up for it by simply buying an old race boat, and hauling ass around the local bay, gulf, or ocean every weekend. And, every once in a while, you can trailer your old race boat to a buddy's place and run around against his old race boat in a pretend race. Then afterward, go to Hooters, eat wings, drink beer, and tell lies. The perfect combination of skiing and racing at a fraction of the cost!:sifone:
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