Steve Miklos
Charter Member / Competitor
Offshore today
Where it is now can be debated forever. What is clear is that it is a shadow of 2003.
The strongest circuit is SBI JC has a solid schedule and appears to have TV. JC has proven he can outlast any group that appears on the radar.
Next is OPA Smitty has a loyal group that follows him. His racer's appear to trust him and the P class model is his stock and trade.
OSS is simply a clone of the LLC without all of the perks (Speed TV , corporate sponsors, big fleet solid schedule strong tech team). In reality OSS should have never been anything more then an owners group that lobbied the sanctioning body for their influence. Had OSS just ran with Bob Bull the sport would be in much better shape today.
So everyone claims they want it to grow Offshore. Unfortunately it appears that is only if it is their way. OSS wants to stay what they are and Smitty and JC coexist it appears pretty well.
The simple solution is that Smitty runs under APBA sanction with JC's blessing and support (if it's really affordable and JC and Smitty would do it). OSS becomes an owners group that could sanction some APBA events (if it's really affordable and JC would do it).
Too simple? In a word yes
If I was JC I would not jump into any deal as he is holding some good cards and is the proven sole survivor.
If I was Smitty i would say JC and I are fine. We go to KW and are treated well but any additional cost is hard to absorb.
From OSS point of the racers appear to be in denial. It is clear they have lost out greatly by running off in this boycott. They continue to boycott to the point of sitting out a final event (worlds). When they could have run in KW and helped get the sport on track. The schedule this year is spotty and I would guess funds are very tight.
In this economy sponsors TV deals etc are rare. If you are financially weak you will scare most any deal off.
What should happen is all the racers should be hitting the SBI events with their respective flags. Smitty as a divisional NE circuit. OSS as an owners group/promoter. When you combine this with the SBI fleet the TV show will be better and the sport will look more professional.
Steve
Where it is now can be debated forever. What is clear is that it is a shadow of 2003.
The strongest circuit is SBI JC has a solid schedule and appears to have TV. JC has proven he can outlast any group that appears on the radar.
Next is OPA Smitty has a loyal group that follows him. His racer's appear to trust him and the P class model is his stock and trade.
OSS is simply a clone of the LLC without all of the perks (Speed TV , corporate sponsors, big fleet solid schedule strong tech team). In reality OSS should have never been anything more then an owners group that lobbied the sanctioning body for their influence. Had OSS just ran with Bob Bull the sport would be in much better shape today.
So everyone claims they want it to grow Offshore. Unfortunately it appears that is only if it is their way. OSS wants to stay what they are and Smitty and JC coexist it appears pretty well.
The simple solution is that Smitty runs under APBA sanction with JC's blessing and support (if it's really affordable and JC and Smitty would do it). OSS becomes an owners group that could sanction some APBA events (if it's really affordable and JC would do it).
Too simple? In a word yes
If I was JC I would not jump into any deal as he is holding some good cards and is the proven sole survivor.
If I was Smitty i would say JC and I are fine. We go to KW and are treated well but any additional cost is hard to absorb.
From OSS point of the racers appear to be in denial. It is clear they have lost out greatly by running off in this boycott. They continue to boycott to the point of sitting out a final event (worlds). When they could have run in KW and helped get the sport on track. The schedule this year is spotty and I would guess funds are very tight.
In this economy sponsors TV deals etc are rare. If you are financially weak you will scare most any deal off.
What should happen is all the racers should be hitting the SBI events with their respective flags. Smitty as a divisional NE circuit. OSS as an owners group/promoter. When you combine this with the SBI fleet the TV show will be better and the sport will look more professional.
Steve
