What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

For those of you that enjoy attending offshore races, which format do you prefer?

Running all the boats at once so that the racecourse is full of boats with constant action.

Or

Several races with fewer classes and fewer boats on the course so you can tell who's winning the race, plus the racing lasts through most of the afternoon.

Which do you prefer?

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Several with fewer classes for sure

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Several w\ fewer. I'd get to see more types of boats, and it would open the sport up to more competetors, which means more racers. Everyone loves the P1s.....but you'll get more competors in P4-5 ville.....and obviously boats in that wide range cant race each other. More classes and racing, makes for a longer day of spectating as well. The longer i can sit at the end of Martell's pier the better ;)

Dammit, I voted for the wrong one. I voted for single, but didnt mean it....

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

My real choice is not there, more boats in fewer classes.
When I was racing several times we had brought our sponsor and their clients to races. Believe me, boat racing offers more in "client hospitality" than any other sport, nothing like having clients on a yacht watching a race. Make that yacht a turn boat where they feel the spray and you'll provide an experience unmatched anywhere. Anyway, even just a few years ago 3 classes on the course at one time became too confusing to the people watching. They couldn't understand who was racing against who. They all had the best times of their lives....the confusion was relieved with a few cocktails :drink:

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Definately several races with fewer boats in each. It's easier to distinguish who's in what class and who's leading. Not to mention, I simply don't think it would be a good idea to have supercats and supervees running around the course with P5 boats.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Ideally, that would be the case.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Multiple races for sure. If I'm travelling several hours to see races, I want to see more than one race.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Several. However, I think there needs to be a few offshore races that are truly offshore !! They will probably be seen only on media versus live by most of the population but I think that manufacturers should be proving their hulls offshore. I think that offshore should mean offshore just like it did in the 70's and 80's. I realize the need for spectators but for the hardcore there should be a class that races the real offshore Miami - Bimini or Miami Nassau Miami races of yesteryear. I'm afraid to buy (when I could afford them) the hulls now adays when I don't know if they can withstand the rigors of REAL offshore. Sure they can go 100 on a 2 foot chop but what ever happened to real offshore racing... This may be a stupid point of view but I would hope that I share this sentiment with several members.... or maybe not.... please post... :rolleyes:

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

I would love to see a lengthy offshore race across 25 miles of open water. A modern day "Apache Offshore Challenge" would be very interesting to see.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

I do agree 100%!!! Not that I watched the races in the 70's and 80's, except on video but it looks much more exciting and real test of drivers and boats, the money would still be there for the sport before the races and after and if they would just set up big projections screens you could still see the races going on watch your favorite boat etc... and after or before the races see the boats up close and visit.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

That's the problem, you don't "see" lengthy races. One pass maybe 2 and it's over.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Oh, I totally agree. Perhaps, I should have chosen different words, of course the only way to see a race like this would be on tv. Nevertheless, watching that Apache video posted here a couple weeks ago, gave me a totally different perspective and appreciation for offshore racing.

In no way would I want to see this kind of racing exclusively, I like the current format, but an occasional offshore "proving ground" kind of race would be interesting to see(on tv).

:cool:

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Another way to go would be the current short courses but at venues like Cap Cod, Atlantic City etc that offer real offshore conditions in a viewable format.

Oh how could I forget my all time favorite, Corpus Christi TX. Rough as hell, entire course viewable by spectatiors.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

IMHO...

It's been proven in many other classes of racing that fan interest lapses after 3 hours.

A shorter course with many boats is the most exciting. Who in the hell wants to sit/stand and wait 3-5 minutes to hear a VAROOOM and a 1 second glimpse of a boat no matter what class.

Small course & deck to deck racing will win fan appeal every time (not necessarily the drivers desire).

Dry pits and wet pits is where the fan REALY sees sponsors logos/decals and it's the sponsor who actually pays for the racing. AND its the return on investment that the sponsor lives for.

AND don't forget the checker flag parade ( correct or incorrect) as the races end. AS it now stands 99% of fans have NO idea who the hell won each class..

Without it is like sitting down BUT NOT EATING an Italian meal of salad, bread, regatoni and sausage, wine and dessert, then leaving the table empty.

Racers do it for the love of the sport and compeitition and the fan for the same.

Now what the hell was the question??

See ya in

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Bottom line is that we need to get back to what these boats were designed for, lond distance high speed offshore running. This would bring a number of challenges to the table including reliability, navigation, changing conditions, etc. This short course stuff would have Don A puking!!! If a promotor would step up and organize a 2 time a year race from Miami to West End, or Key west to Miami I would be in and quite a few other guys I know with very capable boats would too.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

I prefer to watch the ones with no accidents! :cool:

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

That's what I'd love to see too, or maybe Jacksonville to Miami. Could you imagine how many people could see it on the beach? I imagine the logistics would be nearly impossible now days with manatee spotters and such.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

inbetween .I like a few classes and a lot of boat :drink:

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Multiple races definitely.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

very very but very well said this new era isn't real offshore hopefully one day it will be like it was in the 70's and 80's Miami to Nassau Miami to Key West

mike

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Hey you guys are the Pollo Tropical racing team ? I saw you guys in Marathon but didn't say anything because I did not know that was you. I hate to start $hit because I know you guys work very hard out there to put out a hell of a race for us but I really think it's about time that someone runs a long distance race and really proves what those hulls can do in a long distance run. Safety would be of utmost concern in my view. Copters with rescue divers would be a must and speeds would probably be a lot less than they are today in the inshore races. I just want these manufacturers to prove that what they have can withstand the trials that we (even if it's just a few of us) would be dishing out. The Apache Offshore challenge is a fine example of what can happen in a Miami - Bimini situation. Say you go there in good weather.... Two days later you are coming back in bad weather... I want to know what my boat can do.. Given the driver is any good :D

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

You are right. My point is that not every race should be a long distance run but some should definitely be.

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

By the way that boat of yours sounds / looks and runs awesome :D

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Allday Racing

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Unfortunately that is the nature of the sport. That's kinda like watching Nascar and expecting no one to crash. It's gonna happen. No ifs ands or buts. But with all of the regulations in place and safety being of utmost concern, I think we could have some pretty safe offshore races that really prove what those boats can do. Isn't that the point anyway? I mean i know that a 42' Cigarette can run 100 + in 2 foot waves. Whoopty doo.. I want to see what happens when it faces 6+ on the Miami -Bimini stretch. Certainly not expecting those speeds but I would like to see what they can do.... As a buyer, and a guy that really "drives" his boats, I would just be curious....

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Just curious if there is any documentation on the 3 hour rule that you are aware off? I am trying to find any recent demographic and/or fan behavior research performed on Offshore racing.

thx
Matt R
IMCO SVL

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Matt

The figure of 3 hours is based on a study (unofficial) conducted with the Unlimited Hydroplane and F1/Champ boat audience polls.

Have you noticed that most movies are one hour thirty seven minutes?? AND.. The that the movie goers are always advised in advance that a film will last at least 3 hours.

Its not the cost of the film nor the family planning time but the most attentive attention span of us humans.

Just go to any race and watch the fans body language. Race start.. everyone up.. by the third lap and NO deck to deck or continuous action in front of the spectators-- The smokers start smokkin, the drinkers start drinkin (more) and backs are turned to the water.

Bottom line: Long courses are for the exhiliration of the drivers/crew... Short races are for the fans where the $$$$ gets involved with the sponsors and city....




/

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

I think a stock boat race would be very interesting from say Tampa to Key West or Key west to Miami. Production hulls with even power from class to class based on length. Let the manufacturers prove who is best in real water conditions. If the weather is calm so be it. If its rough like real offshore usually is that is fine too. First on raceday sells on Monday right?

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

Several races with fewer boats.....

It's easier to watch this way ,,,,I'm usually buzzed or half fried from the sun so this would be better :D

Re: What kind of Race do you prefer to watch
 

More races gives the slower classes a chance to be in the spot light on their own and is also safer than having 100+mph boats running them down.... :eek: