Inflation has hit everywhere but boat racing

[Ron P]

This week, the season opens in Biloxi so why not come out and enjoy a race along with 40,000 other people. Try to get a room in one of the waterfront casinos! The town is booked.

If you can't make it to Biloxi, you can listen live at home using your computer. Go to www.talkoffshore.com on Sunday. The Race will also be broadcast live locally on 104.9 FM for the people in the surrounding area and watching the races.

American Powerboat Television will also be filming this race for TV and it will air on Fox Sports Network later in the year. You can watch last years race at American Powerboat.TV

For additional information and tickets visit www.smokinthesound.com. You can view the race from the parking decks, hotel rooms, beach, and boat. There's no excuse for missing this one.

The Race Village is on the north side of RT 90, between the Isle of Capri and the Palace Hotel and Casino. Off Myrtle Ave. Bring the kids to see the boats and meet your favorite team on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The crane area is next to the Isle of Capri.
If you want to familiarize yourself with the OSS rules, you can download our rulebook at. http://www.offshoresuperseries.com/racers.cfm.

Race fans are always invited to attend the Awards Ceremony. This will be held at 7pm on Sunday night at the lobby bar inside of the Isle of Capri. Please join us.

Enjoy the weekend! We are excited to return to Biloxi in order to Smoke the Sound one more time.

 

[Quinlan]

We be going!!! Flying in Friday morning. I will be the one with a DRINK in one hand!!!!

Quinlan

 

[C_Spray]

...I think offshore racing can be successful if/when it's run like a business.

When that's been tried, the competitor's egos killed it. Nobody wanted to run if they had to held accountable to the rules and risk get beat by better (true) racers who actually ran to legal specs. Hence, it fragmented into a myraid of sanctioning bodies and classes so everyone gets to go home with a trophy. Until every US-based sanctioning body merges into a single organization, what you see now is what you'll get.

It's still a cool spectacle, though.

 

[Fever Mike]

When that's been tried, the competitor's egos killed it. Nobody wanted to run if they had to held accountable to the rules and risk get beat by better (true) racers who actually ran to legal specs. Hence, it fragmented into a myraid of sanctioning bodies and classes so everyone gets to go home with a trophy. Until every US-based sanctioning body merges into a single organization, what you see now is what you'll get.

It's still a cool spectacle, though.

+1, basically what I was trying to say back on page #1. Thanks Chuck!

 

[Ron P]

When that's been tried, the competitor's egos killed it. Nobody wanted to run if they had to held accountable to the rules and risk get beat by better (true) racers who actually ran to legal specs. Hence, it fragmented into a myraid of sanctioning bodies and classes so everyone gets to go home with a trophy. Until every US-based sanctioning body merges into a single organization, what you see now is what you'll get.

It's still a cool spectacle, though.

Not true, racers come to OSS when they want to race under a strict set of rules. We've gone to great legnths to insure that everyone races on a fair and level playing field. This year, things will even be stricter.

The worst thing possible is to hear that someone is cheating and the inspectors didn't catch it. No one wants to race under those conditions.

 

[Ratickle]

Is there any chance that OPA and OSS will get together and make two or three classes, and at least one affordable size, which will be the same for specs and rules?

I really don't want to start any negatives, but I do want to plan on racing and cannot afford to get into something that may be obsolete the next year and you have to travel a long way for many of the races.

SVL still seems to be the closest to what I'm talking about.

 

[Ron P]

SVL is the ticket. In fact, Will Smith will be bringing a brand new one to show in the pits. The reason this class works is becuase it's basically two manufacturers, Phantom and Extreme. Almost identical boats with identical power and drives. The class is very carefull about allowing anything new or different in the class. No NXT or any other drive besides a Bravo or XR. Boats that are 10 years old are still winning races. How much more stable can a class be? Remember, OSS is owned by the racers, not me. They make the rules for thier own class. That's what makes OSS work.

Even in Cat Lite, Skater made a wider faster tunnel, so we gave the older narrow boats a weight discount to offset the different so they can run heads up.

Things are stable, you just need to get out there and do it.

 

[OneBadInjun]

Mercury/Mercruiser Hi-Performance

With Mercury's Racing Division closing up shop last Friday, for the first time since its inception, in 1972-73...well...things will be a bit more of a challenge, yet far from impossible.:driving:

 

[AIR TIME]

Is there still going to be a joker 26 class ,one boat,motor,drive or not enough teams yet to start it?? I know banana was starting a ob class like that, but i/o seems to be the way to go for what most fans like is the loud exhaust out of a big block. for what they were going to charge for a package deal with a 26ft boat wasn't it under 50,000.I hope it works it could be a good start. the roar of big blocks like 10 running close together would be great for the sport. I would think and if it would take off, you could start a twin engine class with a new 31 or 32ft sutphen same motors . I think OPA has done a wonderful job with set up, plus they have the bat boats one design. it kills me to put tv on and see half azzed mud bogging street trucks, and real bad bike and quad racing on speed channel at 4.30pm to day for a half hour, last week lawnmower racing. at least they should show some offshoreboat racing, well 2 weeks ago I caught the end of loto kilo runs from 07 I think ,on the same program its on every day at 4.30pm eastern, I think I will email them about OPA AND OSS AND THE REST see what happens I am just sitting around here healing anyway, if I hear back I will let you guys know and maybe if everyone hits them about us they will stop by this summer at a race near you.:sifone::sifone: ps good luck to all the TEAMS this year, again wish I was out there.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

There are three distinctly different approaches in racing organizations.

Pick one that best fits your ideals and support it.

 

[T2x]

Is there still going to be a joker 26 class ,one boat,motor,drive or not enough teams yet to start it?? I know banana was starting a ob class like that, but i/o seems to be the way to go for what most fans like is the loud exhaust out of a big block. for what they were going to charge for a package deal with a 26ft boat wasn't it under 50,000.I hope it works it could be a good start. the roar of big blocks like 10 running close together would be great for the sport. I would think and if it would take off, you could start a twin engine class with a new 31 or 32ft sutphen same motors . I think OPA has done a wonderful job with set up, plus they have the bat boats one design. it kills me to put tv on and see half azzed mud bogging street trucks, and real bad bike and quad racing on speed channel at 4.30pm to day for a half hour, last week lawnmower racing. at least they should show some offshoreboat racing, well 2 weeks ago I caught the end of loto kilo runs from 07 I think ,on the same program its on every day at 4.30pm eastern, I think I will email them about OPA AND OSS AND THE REST see what happens I am just sitting around here healing anyway, if I hear back I will let you guys know and maybe if everyone hits them about us they will stop by this summer at a race near you.:sifone::sifone: ps good luck to all the TEAMS this year, again wish I was out there.

TV programing has nothing to do with so called "fans".... It is really much simpler than that....all you need is sponsorship dollars. The very thing that this thread is about...and the very thing that most other motor sports have and boat racing doesn't.

Why? Because for decades most of the competing, rah-rah, "cheerleader" racing organizations have left a trail of unpaid bills, unfulfilled promises, confusing class structure, and canceled races in their wake and in the minds of major networks, and sponsors. They see boat racing's organizers for what they are ....people who drink their own Koolaid....and not professional racing business men. This is manifested most clearly by the "My group is better than your group" Bullsh*t, that continues to this day. This diviseness cloaked in back slapping and cheerful "Together, We race" slogans is transparent to the media who realise that the fragmented state of the sport makes it a bad bet....and IMHO mostly unwatchable as a video product.

T2x

 

[Slandrew]

TV programing has nothing to do with so called "fans".... It is really much simpler than that....all you need is sponsorship dollars. The very thing that this thread is about...and the very thing that most other motor sports have and boat racing doesn't.

Why? Because for decades most of the competing,rah-rah, "cheerleader" racing organizations have left a trail of unpaid bills, unfulfilled promises, confusing class structure, and canceled races in their wake and in the minds of major networks, and sponsors. They see boat racing's organizers for what they are ....people who drink their own Koolaid....and not professional racing business men. This is manifested most clearly by the "My group is better than your group Bullsh*t, that continues to this day. This diviseness cloaked in back slapping and cheerful "Together, We race" slogans is transparent to the media who realise that the fragmented state of the sport makes it a bad bet....and IMHO mostly unwatchable as a video product.

T2x

I think it says United we race:rofl::boxing_smiley:your talking past lets hope the future learns and it keeps growing

 

[T2x]

I think it says United we race:rofl::boxing_smiley:your talking past lets hope the future learns and it keeps growing

This is exactly what I'm talking about...getting tied up in one's underwear... who gives a rat's *ss if it's "Together" or "United"? The plain fact is that the "slogan" is completely buried by the facts which, the last time I checked, still had more "alphabet series" than Campbell's soup. Or have APBA/SBI, OPA, OSS, OPS, P-1 and the Geico Series magically merged in the past 24 hours? Let's not even begin to talk about the unexplainable class structures and show off "racing" that are certain to ellicit snores in any motor sport TV production studio.

I may be "talking about the past"......but the TV networks and sponsors have long memories and short tolerance for Boat racing's continuing foibles as a result.

The only answer is to gradually and patiently acquaint them with a truly unified, interesting and logical single source for boat racing. Something we haven't had since 1988.

Like Rip Van winkle...you can wake me up when that happens.

T2x

 

[THEJOKER]

You can make more money fishing a boat! That should tell you something.

Speaking of racing a boat I always found if kind of interesting that there is absolutly ZERO license you need to race. You just go out and buy a boat and enter a race....no experience necessary?!?!?! WOW! Heck I even raced, won a few too...interesting!

To race with SCCA, NASA, NASCAR, and even Porsche Club events you need training and need to be approved biwht a license.

This is one among many reasons boat racing is what it is.

1st race start 100 yards back - haha!

 

[OneBadInjun]

From the rules-

Members of special designation - We have two special groups of members on this board. One of them is made up of notables and in some cases, legends. We call these people ICON The other group is made up of known industry professionals. They are recognizable by their designation in their profile or signature, found in each of their posts. These people are recognized for their knowledge and contribution to this sport. They are not required to earn anyone’s respect- they already have it. We are thankful to be graced with their participation and the knowledge (and sometimes the great stories) they’re willing to share. We call these people SO Tech Expert. While rudeness is frowned upon on this site, it absolutely will not be tolerated if directed at these people. Don’t argue, don’t question. Just say “thank you”.

Be respectful- especially of the ICONS- or be gone.

 

[Slandrew]

QUOTE=T2x;"the sport makes it a bad bet....and IMHO mostly unwatchable as a video product."

Boy, you got that right. Nothing more obnoxious than a has-been trying to sell everyone so-so quality offshore powerboat videos of old races, that, as you say, are "unwatchable". Ya godda kinda feel sorry for them though, ya know. They're old and its all they got left...noth'n but the memories. Sad, just plain sad...

Nice Thanks!!!:26::seeya::rofl:

 

[Slandrew]

As Howard Cosell once said down goes Tx down goes TX:rofl::beatdeadhorse5::iamwithstupid:

 

[smokeybandit]

QUOTE=T2x;"the sport makes it a bad bet....and IMHO mostly unwatchable as a video product."

Boy, you got that right. Nothing more obnoxious than a has-been trying to sell everyone so-so quality offshore powerboat videos of old races, that, as you say, are "unwatchable". Ya godda kinda feel sorry for them though, ya know. They're old and its all they got left...noth'n but the memories. Sad, just plain sad...

I think he was referring to video of today's races. And I will agree, it is unwatchable. If I want to watch boats going in circles, I'll stick with F1 or Hydros. Offshore needs to go back to offshore.

 

[T2x]

QUOTE=T2x;"the sport makes it a bad bet....and IMHO mostly unwatchable as a video product."

Boy, you got that right. Nothing more obnoxious than a has-been trying to sell everyone so-so quality offshore powerboat videos of old races, that, as you say, are "unwatchable". Ya godda kinda feel sorry for them though, ya know. They're old and its all they got left...noth'n but the memories. Sad, just plain sad...

I'm Rich Luhrs...and you are?

By the way, if you don't like one of our DVD's..we will gladly provide you with a refund..no questions asked (try that with other video products)..In fact I'd rather not have you as customer...If you actually bought anything in the first place.


P.S. You can't spell "gotta"

Enjoy the Koolaid

 

[T2x]

As Howard Cosell once said down goes Tx down goes TXQUOTE]

Apparently you are out of your own bullets on this topic so you are applauding someone else's watergun... or p*ss ant attempt at being funny.

The fact is there is no sponsor money and no television to speak of. Even the Performance boating magazines are going belly up. You may not like the message, but ignoring it is not going to get you anywhere.

This thread is about the simple fact that the sport was significantly better at one time and the main reason that it has consistently fallen downward is that each generation of leadership has repeated the mistakes of the previous group without even knowing who they were or what happened in the past.

You may all look blindly to the "future"...but even the dimmest, drunkest, most starry eyed one among you has to realize that promises made only 12, 24, and 36 months ago have failed to materialize. If you took the time to look backwards you would see that these are the very same promises (TV, sponsor opportunities, "Class improvements", and "Unity") that have been broken for the past 20 years.



T2x