Key West Race Length???
 

I just read that the race length is only 83 miles for Sunday and 44 miles for the Wed and Friday races????
What kind of World Championship is that? I remember when it was over 200 miles for the final day.

We are supposed to make this harder not easier. First we stop going offshore and now we are doing sprint races? This is not what offshore powerboat racing is supposed to be.

Back in 86 the open boats would run 150 miles for a regular national race...What happened to making this a proving ground?

Yup, those lengths sound right, and the smaller boats will likely run less laps, making the race shorter. It's cool for the spectator because the boats go by so many times, but it certainly isn't the challenge it used to be running in the rough seas off of Key West back in the 80's...

It doesn't take the same amount of balls these days to boat race as it did 25 years ago, thats for sure...

I have had this discussion numerous times, and I still don't believe that the racecourse needs to be inshore to keep the fans interest. Most fans have absolutely no idea who is winning and what class they are watching. They just love to see and hear the boats. If you have enough boats, and the starts are staggered, the fans will constantly be seeing boats go by. In order to truly test man and machine, these races need to be run offshore. The true test in Key west has always been when you make the turn at Sand Key. The inshore racing on shortened courses just doesn't make sense to me.

I agree with you.The key to spectator appeal is helicopter coverage of the boats battling the ocean conditions while they battle each other.Offshore powerboat will never be enough of a live spectator support to attract a paid gate.In fact,I know that the crowds are not any bigger now than they used to be when the boats were really offshore.By the way,I always liked your Stock class "Smokey And The Bandit";and the the chris cat in the Pro-Stock class.I really thought our sport was at its best in the late eighties...my favorite classes were S,B and A.

Back In The Early 80's It Was Standing Room Only At The Pier House , The Galion, All Along The Shore. The Races Went Out To Smiths Shoal, Sand Key. All Offshore . Lots Of Action And The Fans Were Entertained For The Whole Race As Boats Were Always Coming Into Or Leaving The Harbor.

Butch,

That's exactly the point that I was trying to make. We always packed em in back then. For the most part, I don't think the fans even realize what they are watching. As long as boats are going by, they always seemed happy.

If there are any out there that have never raced, but like to watch, answer this:

Are you able to tell who is winning, and what classes are racing at any given time? Or, do you just love seeing really fast, loud boats going by?

I am a 15 year old so Obviously i never raced but it depends if there are not a lot of classes just three or four I will be able but the ay key west is nobody has a chance

HORBA is planning on a re-creation of the Miami to Key West races of old.

We picked the weekend that follows the Miami Boat Show in 2010...That's right everyone has 18 months to prepare.

We feel that boat racers will race anything, anywhere and we love seeing the new technological advances made, BUT, we also feel that some racers would still like to battle the open ocean too and we hope to provide a venue for that.

More info as far as dates and classes on our website. www.historicraceboats.com

Oh yeah, that is a 38 foot Bertram on it's way down after jumping a wave.

That sounds like an awesome race. I can only hope that by then I will have another boat.

Will it be televised?

Yes, the sponsor is paying for all TV coverage themselves.

I've been a fan of offshore racing since I was a kid.....I bought one of boats I loved it so much. I really wish they could go back to big water courses. Maybe broadcast it to the fans at the race from large mobile TVs ( like they do for the people tailgating at Ohio State games). It would be great to watch big water racing on TV live and then get to see them rip by once or twice. I've been to many races and honestly I never know who's winning? It doesn't matter because everyone runs hard and that's what makes it fun to watch. I love the days of Needle Nose films and old Freeze Frame vhs tapes.

if you can see the boats from shore...

then it's not offshore racing

just my .02

Real Offshore Races
 

In 1980 I was at the Le Club International race in Ft. Lauderal. I'm pretty sure it was one of the first races that had helo's microwave the races back to a hotel that was on the ocean, we were on the app. 8 or 10 floor,were able to see the boats come down the coast in front, or look at the tv screens, one for open class, one for production. I felt I died and was in heaven, food ,drinks, and a Brunette that I met at the cocktail party the night before that was a offshore grouppie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HIGH LIFE

Just quit your winning and book your rooms for KW. I guarantee you will have a great time.:drink: Dave

Joe you have to see the offshore race tape that our HERO Red Crain made back in 1982. It even has early 80's techno music in the background !!!!!!!!!

When is KW?

I haven't seen it, Red must be hiding it away, but if you have a copy I would love to borrow it. BTW Red actually has a ton of old needle nose tapes but they are all on beta....(he truly is a 80's tech freak). I'm going on ebay right now to buy a beta so I can watch them this winter.

Actually Beta was clearer than VHS - today - you can get them all from T2X - on DVD - which from the orriginal masters is far clearer than the VHS which was the popular format at the time. They were not filmed on VHS - but rather on 3/4 Umatic, or Beta SP - both broadcast formats at the time -

Phil

Phil,
I would love to purchase some of the old races recorded on what ever I can get. Who can I call?
Joe

Contact T2X here on the board- he has the complete NNRT Library - Darren or T2X can reproduce any from the orriginal masters to DVD - very clear- you would never look at a VHS tape again once you see it on DVD from the Master !

PHIL

Thank you. I really didn't want to buy a Beta.
Joe

When
 

dude 11-2-9-08 ck.out-- www.superboat.com been going to the keys on and off for over 25 years and it is ultimately - fabulous. Seen many from Copeland to Johnson to Gentry to Rose to oh so so many great racers. go u-luv-it :ernaehrung004: ya and the course length is to SHORT.

Hi Phil or Darren!,

I am trying to locate the 1980 Key West Production class race, preferrably the start of the sport class division, in which the Damn Carrera is leading at the start. Can you please advise? This would be a great birthday present for my father which is next week. He is Humberto Picon

You should start a new thread as they may not open this one. Jo

Thanks, Jo

Contact Rich Luhrs - or T2X - he has it all -

Phil

To order go to the Very Bottom of the page shown below. Order as many races as you like....

http://www.historicraceboats.com/dvds.htm#bigseas

Thanks,

I have purchased several of the Key West dvd's from Darren and T2x.....really good stuff, you will enjoy them

Tell your father I said hi and happy birthday. I was talking about your father last week. He's a great guy and greater competitor. Bobby Sheer

If you were going to order one DVD which is the best???

am a little bias - but maybe Big Seas 85 - or if you want an extended Superboat event between George Morales and Al Copeland- the Sarasota race of 1985 -

Two Giants
 

The other night I had dinner with the Internationally famous Bobby Sheer and our local hero Rich Luhrs - what fun - so much information - and NEITHER of them has changed a bit - Some day - a forum (get together) should be assembled with the likes of Bobby Sheer, Rich Luhrs, Charlie McCarthy - and a few more - Put them on a stage - and sell tickets - The stories and information are priceless ! Usually I can hold my own speaking - but the other night I was tongue tied - and just enjoyed the banter !

Bobby and Rich - start writing a book - a series of books -

A very Memorable evening ! Thank you both !

How can I contact either Phil or Darren? Thanks Bobby and I will give the old man your best. I remember the Little Rebel as well as your cat, Sheer Terror. You were quite a fierce competitor yourself

Send a PM to T2x - tell him what you are looking for - he has everything - Say Hi to Humberto for me- he was one of my first and loyal clients -
Thank him for me !

Phil

Thanks Phil. Will do!

Humberto
 

TELL THE OLD MAN HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ALSO

Thanks Butch,

He gives you his best and hopes all is well. His birthday was yesterday but we are celebrating it today.