Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

I respectfully disagree. It's a different world and Poker Runs now dominate the performance boat scene. One need only pick up Hot Boat, Powerboat or read OSO to see the tremendous disparity in interest, participation and coverage.

While taking offshore racing "offshore", I believe you'll further erode interest in racing. [I say this with all due respect to past great guys who did race this way]

I doubt many companies would see true old style offshore racing as much of a marketing tool in todays world. There's just no fan base. Poker Runs on the other hand continue to grow.

Every business works with in a limited marketing budget. Where would you spend yours?

In short, I simply don't believe long distance, open ocean racing with even less media coverage and fewer fans in attendance, would entice Cigarette or any other company to jump into racing.

But hey, I've been wrong before......:)

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

My .02

Non-stepped Cigarettes rule...nothing beats the feel and predictability of them. They should have left them alone.
They were pure perfection and very safe even with big power going very fast.

Steps have messed up some great designs. I am looking for a good 38TG project boat right now.

The same goes for the old 10 Meter Fountains they were just fine with a pad for their size.

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

[QUOTE=gripit]Potenial buyers want Cig to be number 1. They want Cig to crush the competition like the old days. Cig doesn't need Mercury, they have Zul , Sterling and other bad azz engine builders. I hope they enter the arena because I think they can afford a huge racing budget. I also think they can't afford not to.[/Q

yeah but wihtuot merc that means no merc sterndrives, no merc tabs, no merc props.........heh :D

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

[QUOTE=375stinger]more business for Konrad add martini tabs, hydromotive makes props...weisman makes a drive as good or better than a #6...all probably less than merc

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

I wouldnt set foot in another Cig on a race course unless they fix the bottom or take the steps out. I think you better check your health insurance, get FreezeFrame to do onboards, and get a new lifeline...... your gonna need it!! That isnt a comment on your abilities, it is a fact of TS Cigs.... they spin and roll. All of them!!!! I promise you that.............

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

I don't think its simply a matter of Merc supplying the components to Fountain - they have a vested interest in that particular brand since that for all intent and purpose own the brand. Sterling may have an interest in being a sponsor but isn't going to hand over the motors, parts and cash like Merc will do for Fountain.

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

Cigarette Racing Team hires Ben Robertson

Boating Industry
Tuesday October 4, 2005



OPA-LOCKA, Fla. – Cigarette Racing Team has brought boat racer and former Fountain Powerboats design engineer Ben Robertson on board, the company reported in a recent statement.

“While over the years, we have invested in our physical plant and technology, bringing Ben on board now represents our commitment to investing in people to continue to improve the quality of our product and take Cigarette to the next level,” stated Skip Braver, Cigarette Racing Team president and CEO.

Robertson, a three-time inductee into the APBA Hall of Champions, will be involved in the engineering and testing of Cigarettes and also with the development of pending new product introductions.

“This is a big move for me!” said Robertson, “Reggie and I have known each other for 35 years, but I was ready for a change. It’s exciting to be leaving an industry leader and going to an industry giant.”

......Looks to me like Cig is taking the next step, Steve

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

Very true, I sponser The porsches for TPC racing and Team Lexus, even though my product protects the paint it saves them sponserchip dollars in the paint arena as they dont have to paint them as often (barring crashes) this also saves in decals and graphics..Merc and fountain are one and the same. If you look back to when AMF took over harley davidson, in 74 they started throwing out cookie cutter bikes, and the market was inundated with them. I think fountains are good boats, and they have a following but look at the market and what each used boat commands as opposed to another brand. my point being I handle my sponserships for these two teams at cost. I wind up losing some money for labor as manhours cant be replaced, I can comp them. If a engine builder wants to get his name out he does what is nessecary... A prime example is Jeff at JC Performance, he is a racer and build motors for race teams...One of the up and coming premier builders. Konrad sponsers the fountain of youth team, I'm quite sure that if another team approches them for drives at cost, they would help them for sponsership advertising... If you go to www.theracesite.com and look at the white porsche of TPC racing. there is my logo, I've gotten countless calls from that site. so my advertising has gone far.

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

Exactly re: BenR....Why else wouldn't they hire him? Cig will be racing next year. Wonder if BenR is sharing Fountain secrets at the dinner table?

Re: Why doesn't Cigarette race?
 

Dhlaw, I'm not arguing, but I don't believe Phil ever spun or rolled their T/S Gun (now Lucky Strike) while racing to the world championship in '00-'01. And did the Virgin boat spin or roll while racing? It had a pretty successful run.

I know the Rio Roses 45 rolled but that was because the driver jammed it into the corner too hard while Phil was on the sticks too hard. More driver/throttle error/mis-communication than anything there. That was the only spin and they pushed that thing VERY hard. Of course then you have to get into the age old arguement about the unsafeness of all stepped boats....If you push them too hard they'll spin.