Class 1's Future ???

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

With Powerboat P1 venturing out to the States, I wonder if Class 1 would eventually consider doing the same in the future ???

Here is a Promo Video from Class 1

http://www.vimeo.com/8620711





Enjoy !!!

[Sean H]

What race site in the US can offer Class 1 the money and amenities it needs/demands to put on a race? Bermuda (the gov't) is trying to get together a package to offer Class 1, but I think that is the closest it will get to here for a while. Brazil just got a race for next season.

[skaterdave]

What race site in the US can offer Class 1 the money and amenities it needs/demands to put on a race? Bermuda (the gov't) is trying to get together a package to offer Class 1, but I think that is the closest it will get to here for a while. Brazil just got a race for next season.

whats the $$$ figure you think it takes to bring them to town ?

[Ratickle]

What race site in the US can offer Class 1 the money and amenities it needs/demands to put on a race? Bermuda (the gov't) is trying to get together a package to offer Class 1, but I think that is the closest it will get to here for a while. Brazil just got a race for next season.

Two places come to mind in a big hurry.

Atlantic City casino venue.

Las Vegas/Lake Mead casino venue.


A few thousand high rollers from around the states and overseas, combined with many more schmucks like us, would make for a very successful event I believe.

[Pete B]

Just My opinion, but unless they race with X-cat, a 8 boat field aint all that.

now as for the hospitality tents, they are top notch.

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

I agree on AC but not Vegas . Vegas is how far from Lake Mead ?

I have never been to California, but what are the facilites like for the Long Beach To Catalina Offshore Power Festival ?

[Ratickle]

I agree on AC but not Vegas . Vegas is how far from Lake Mead ?

I have never been to California, but what are the facilites like for the Long Beach To Catalina Offshore Power Festival ?

Less than 1/2 hour drive...... about 30 miles total from the strip, less from the airport.

[Ratickle]

The only reason I leave out LA and Mobile, they don't seem to support what they currently have.

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Less than 1/2 hour drive...... about 30 miles total from the strip, less from the airport.

More than a few minutes will be too far...

One of the toughest things for Class 1 or P1 will be their desire to find locations that can house everything immediately "On Site".

Atlantic City can do that. Plenty of hotels and casinos. Plenty of Banquet Halls inside the Casinos as well as Beach front Staging.

Trumps Marina has hosted the International "War Offshore" . Had it not been so late in the season it would have been so much better. We had the movies stars racing there in 1988-1989....

[Sean H]

whats the $$$ figure you think it takes to bring them to town ?

I believe Bermuda proposed a 400-500k budget for the entire event. I dont know what all that includes exactly, sounds like a portion of that was transport, but I am sure a US race would be no different.

[skaterdave]

I believe Bermuda proposed a 400-500k budget for the entire event. I dont know what all that includes exactly, sounds like a portion of that was transport, but I am sure a US race would be no different.

i remember hearing figures of $250k to bring apba super series back in 2000ish to ft myers. makes my wonder when i hear the #'s of what it costs today. seems the orgs bid themselves backwards

[Sean H]

i remember hearing figures of $250k to bring apba super series back in 2000ish to ft myers. makes my wonder when i hear the #'s of what it costs today. seems the orgs bid themselves backwards

Well, they have bid themselves into gravel lots and beer tents. That's the biggest difference between a C1 or P1 event and a US race. Hospitality tents, media centers, fashion shows, black tie dinners, awards at the podium with champagne directly after the race and other things all cost real money.

Sunny Isles could be a possible "event" location, they have worked hard basically to follow that formula, with a little more funding, I think those guys could pull of a P1 or C1 event style race.

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Sunny Isles could be a possible "event" location, they have worked hard basically to follow that formula, with a little more funding, I think those guys could pull of a P1 or C1 event style race.

If I don't have a schedule conflict with a Drag Race in Englishtown, NJ that weekend, I would like to try to get to Sunny Isles this year.

[Raylar]

Usually they have to ship these teams, rigs and boats by water around the world, so being slightly biased of course, I would recommend right here in San Diego Bay. We've got the docking and offloading area 1/2 block from what could be a great race headquarters and pit location. Got a beautiful new commerical tour marina area right behind the convention center with setup for the cranes and into water lifts a snap! Great resturants, taverns, hotels, baseball and all the amenties within two blocks of the event site. We've had superboat racing here on the Bay a few years back and the shoreside viewing and all the Navy and military here make it a bigger crowd draw. and of course plenty of new Med-Moor style docking right on the bay for the Mega Yachts and such. I don't think it can be bettered by any venue here in the states and the weather, well OH'Hell you all know about the weather in San Diego, IT SUCKS RIGHT! HA! Lets get P-1 and Class 1 joined up and get them here for great racing and a great time was had by all! Oh Ya, we also got some great places for those who bring their toys to San Diego with them to boat and party! I can just now see the giant raftup in Glorrieta Bay in Coronado, right in front of the Del!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

[Ratickle]

I've never understood why San Diego doesn't support better watersports venues than they do. Couldn't even keep the Unlimited's in town this year. It is a great place.

[MarylandMark]

but on the wrong coast...

Imagine an accident- boating would be blamed on eco-disaster for years to come.

[chewiekw]

Miami to Bimini one day and the circle crap on the other....

[Matt Trulio]

From what a prominent Class 1 racer told me a few years ago, that series has major problems, primarily cost control, of its own. They've done a lot to contain those costs such as eliminating six-speed gear boxes, but it is still very much an ultra-rich man's game.

Consider this: The top team is not by one guy or a rich family. It's sponsored by a wealthy country.

What is the incentive to come here? For sure, if you want a true "world" Class 1 series you need a stop in the United States. And there are probably a few racers here who have the dough and would be willing to spend it. (I believe there's a quote from Billy Mauff in the latest Powerboat about his having Class 1 aspirations.)

The downside? Same as it is over there, the cost. And while Class 1 is spectacular (I've only seen one Class 1 race, in Norway, but it was unreal), it is prohibitively expensive for all but the well-heeled elite.

Think of the costs of Open class of days gone by ... the days of Matt Alcone and Forest Barber ... and then start multiplying. Several times.

Still, this thread asks a good question, and opens a great discussion.

[Sean H]

2010 Schedule

26-28 March BRAZILIAN GP - Rio de Janeiro
June Reserve date
16-18 July NORWEGIAN GP - Arendal
6-8 August SWEDISH GP - Uddevalla
27-29 August ROMANIAN GP - Constanta
1-3 October ITALIAN GP - Stresa
27-29 October SAUDI ARABIAN GP - Jeddah (tbc)
18 -20 November ABU DHABI GP - Abu Dhabi
9-11 December DUBAI GP - Dubai

[shifter]

They spent more $ on a propeller program then they ever did on the Gearboxes. Then again he was probably talking about the lambo box.. The main reason to get rid of the gearboxes was to get rid of the Seatek diesels. Without gearboxes the diesel died. The lambo camp started selling engines again. The rules always benefited the Lambo camp.

Long Beach would be a great venue and so would San Fran or San diego. I would lean toward Long Beach because of LAX, Hollywood.

pat W