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2002 offshore drivers poll/photos
The 2002 US offshore racing season will see some dramatic changes because of the entrance of the new FORCE series.
As a result, four races that ran APBA last year...Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Cleveland and Corpus Christi...will run with FORCE in 2002 as divisional events. Crouse Publications' SEATALK column ([email protected]) is running a poll of the drivers and teams who plan to run with FORCE in 2002. We will post the poll results and quote.. without editorial comment..any drivers or team reps who want to be quoted as to why they will stay with the APBA or change to FORCE. Also, beginng in the January SEATALK, we will begin publishling our new mini-features on leading people in the sport and of new technology in boats and engines etc. John Crouse POLL RESPONSE TO DATE...59 REPLIES 15 FROM TEAMS...9 APBA/ 7 FORCE/ SBI 2 Latest batch of comments has some well writen and incisive observations, including the ones criticizing me! Several have been forwarded to site managers who may want to take heed to improve their events. ALERT - LOOK FOR SOME MAJOR UPGRADES FOR NEW FORCE OFFSHORE RACING BODY. 01-11-2002: Message edited by: john crouse [ 01-11-2002: Message edited by: john crouse ] |
John: You show Cleveland as a
FORCE race ?, APBA also shows Cleveland race on July 26-28. (NoBull)Mike J. :eek: :D |
I ain't got nuttin to say on this topic........but I can only imagine what direction this will go....... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
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couldn't agree with ya more shor. amazing how easy it is to read right through some things isn't it?
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Mike...
Bet on Cleveland going FORCE JOHN |
John, Im not trying to start any problems im just asking as
the company my wife works for Bowman/Barnes has their main offices just 4 blocks from the race site. We hope to get them involved this year. I hope. Mike J. |
Solarized and crew will be staying with APBA.There was no question or decision to be made.APBA has fox speedvision w/2 hrs per race.The gm deal means alot to our team.The sponsors of APBA hold true(Amex, GM, Mercury, Lucas Oil, Volvo, Cigarette, Velocity, and Formula).Also the cre sealed engine's level the playing field.Propritary venders Brodix spec heads and Barry Grant carbs with onsite tech inspection by the manufacurers.Onsite service and spare engines from Cre and GM.The cost to race APBA is 30-40% less than SBI.Safety is a major concern of my team and the stars diving team is the best in the business.In SBI there is not a consistent diving team.Only one from each town.APBA is a growing group with very close racing.Frankly,I believe that this is only hurting the sport of offshore racing by everyone splitting into different groups.It hurts our opportunity to develop new sponsorship and it creates chaos among teams.I hope this helps. Bill Park Solarized #1 SVL
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Well said Bill.
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Bill your argument makes alotta sense.
As far as the next Seatalk "without editorial comment," I hope John Crouse posts it here so we all can see it. |
Bill
Just wondering why you brought SBI into this? As I read it, the question is "who plans to run with FORCE in 2002". Also, after running in both sanctioning bodies, which class does it "cost 30-40% less" to run in? Dave F2-07 Wild Child |
Superboatusa.com F1-68 will be racing with the APBA. We may race a few other races due to location, Pt. Pleasent and Ocean City but our focas will be on the APBA Pro Series, hopefully with a new name and sponsor (same Boat). This past season was the best ever and I look forward to continued growth this year.
Eddie Simmons Superboatusa.com F1-68 |
DJD - Because he can :p
JUST KIDDIN!!!!!!!!! You going into NYC? If so when?? |
DaveP
Damn you man, that'll cost you 2 Coronas AND a lap dance! Lets do something for the boat show. When are you headed in? |
I thought that this new venture was Race Site Venue Partners, LP., not a sanctioning body, but a series of race sites that will be seeking sanctioning by the APBA or SBI.
Are you saying that the FORCE Series (which were all sanctioned by APBA last year) is now going to be a new sanctioning body that will compete with APBA-Offshore AND SBI? If so, what are the costs? Prize money? Television? Sponsors? Rules? |
DJD MR Crouse brought up SBI in his latest sea talk and I was responding to him.
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Kent,
You are asking all the right questions. As outlined by Steve David in his initial post announcing RSVP, the new association was a group of sites and not a sanctioning body--a point he emphasized several times. Now, at least if I understand Mr. Crouse correctly, FORCE has already signed on as the sanctioning body for the RSVP sites. The timing, at the very least, is suspect. Whatever shreds of credibility Mr. Crouse had (my opinion: none) after he published his December SEATALK are gone. In my view, his call for this "poll" at this time completely undermines him as an unbiased source of information. |
Kent,
What I write is what I believe to be true. If I say that I will report on the results of my poll without comment that's just what I mean. The new FORCE group is set up to run its race sites from top to bottom but it is apparently willing to work with both APBA and SBI at its sites. In my 43 years of covering this sport at all levels world wide, while some may have hated my guts, until Mr. Allweiss came along no one ever even implied that I lie! No, my credibility still stands quite secure but your's now seems to be in question! JOHN CROUSE |
Mr. Crouse,
You are a tad confused. Kent didn't question your credibility. I did. And by the way, "yours" is possessive all on its own. It doesn't require an apostrophe. Details, it seems, escape you. |
Hey Crouse,
I guess you never payed much attention to the e-mail we sent back and forth privately. Quit while you are ahead here on OSO. You accuse others of doing exactly what you do yourself and in the process have eliminated what little credibility you may have had here. You talk about Mr. Alweiss shooting himself in the foot, how does your shoe taste? Shane :cool: |
Mr Crouse,
How is my credibility in question? I only asked a simple question based on what Steve David reported here on OSO. I am in the process of putting together a new boat that I may race and am interested in the Details of the new group. Kent |
We at team eMotion will run any race we can in our area. Be it SBI. I'm not allowed to run APBA because my regigged boat for APBA (per their rule book) is NOT LEGAL per NEW RULES. Sell a 2000 boat ???????????
John, Thanks for news letter it was great reading. I do agree with most of the letter. Thanks, Doug Gorenflo |
What the hell is FORCE? Never heard of it....
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I dont understand how anyone can think that another organization whatever it may be; a promoters group or sanctioning body; will benefit the sport of offshore powerboat racing.The constant fragmentation of the sport has certainly hindered its growth.It seems there has always been organizations formed due to disatisfaction with the APBA:NPBA,USPBA,OPT,USO, and of course OPA/ SBI.While all these organizations seemed to have good intentions, none of them could accomplish what they set out to do, except to a certain extent SBI, although they have struggled to attract solid fleets of boats and to put on exciting races.The PROPS Series of the early nineties seemed to be very similar to what this new group is going to try to accomplish in 2002, and that didnt work either.I can certainly understand why some people may not like the direction of the APBA LLC, but in my opinion the positives far outweigh the negatives;solid fleets of boats,parity with the rules providing competitive racing and improved sponsorship programs and television exposure.I guess they have alienated themselves from some race sites by asking for more money, but can you really blame them for looking out for thier own best interest, and the interest of the race teams and corporate sponsors.The only way to get this sport to the next level is to generate more money for the organization which will eventually filter down to the race teams through improved exposure, sponsorship opportunities and more prize money, which will attract more race teams and corporate sponsors!Competing sanctioning bodies will continue to be detrimental to the sport; so in my opinion, everyone should get behind the APBA LLC.
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Now I'm confused.
I've been away for a week so what did I miss. My question is, Does anyone know if APBA or SBI has embraced FORCE as having the ability to run divisional races AND what is the FORCE series listed on the APBA schedule page? Is this the same FORCE or a different FORCE? May the FORCE be with you. |
Originally posted by john crouse: <STRONG>Kent, What I write is what I believe to be true. If I say that I will report on the results of my poll without comment that's just what I mean. </STRONG> |
Yeah, What Mr Park said!
Ya know, When Mr. Crouses story came out, I myself thought he was just desperately trying to sell some print. Flaky approach, but I guess business is business. Then the new "RSVP" announces old APBA race sites. Interesting idea, but it just seemed like I was missing something here. As if there is somehow more to this story. Then Mr Crouse trys to sway me further with private e-mails. (bad form dude). And now it seems to me as though Mr. Crouse is grandstanding for this new "RSVP" group which he seems to have dubbed FORCE APBA. Force APBA to do what? Is this to insinuate that the new FORCE, or RSVP is going up against APBA? Allow me to speculate here... Is it possible that Mr. Crouse is looking for that last hurrah and wants his name up there with Gene Whipp, Mike Allweiss and some of the other movers & shakers in the sport? Is it possible Mr. Crouse and Mr. Carbonell are working together in an attempt to reorganize SBI? Maybe even under a new name? Is Mr. Crouse involved with the new RSVP/FORCE group? Is he on their payroll? Is Mr. Carbonell and/or Mr. Crouse involved in some type of negotiations with this new group? Is a frogs ass water tight? Enquiring minds want to know! :confused: [ 01-04-2002: Message edited by: Gordo ] |
Is a FROGS ASS water tight? ROTFLMFAO! Gordo you are the BEST dude! Have a good weekend. Nice post.
Shane :D :cool: |
Gordo,
I've stood on the sidelines here with the whole John Crouse thing to see how it played out, but now.. I gotta speculate here too and some of my questions have been answered about FORCE, but just seeing the posts by Steve David and John Crouse, I can't imagine these two being "associated" with one another. Having never met either one and only going on the written word, I see David as a mild mannered, well educated, devoted, and thoughtful person, willing to help those here and expecting nothing in return. Crouse ont the other hand seems to like to ruffle feathers in his gruff Texan way, while trying to make a buck here...and serve his own self interests under the guise of "setting the record straight". I believe he has a wealth of knowledge of offshore racing(especially from the early years). I intend to begrudginly purchase his book, but as I said it seems that his posts here are simply self promotion and an attempt to get board members to: 1. hate Mike Alweiss, and 2. buy his stuff Just my .02 In cohoots??? I doubt it :D :D |
Boy oh boy, sounds like somebody is typing for someone else.
Originally posted by MJH: <STRONG>I dont understand how anyone can think that another organization whatever it may be; a promoters group or sanctioning body; will benefit the sport of offshore powerboat racing.The constant fragmentation of the sport has certainly hindered its growth.It seems there has always been organizations formed due to disatisfaction with the APBA:NPBA,USPBA,OPT,USO, and of course OPA/ SBI.While all these organizations seemed to have good intentions, none of them could accomplish what they set out to do, except to a certain extent SBI, although they have struggled to attract solid fleets of boats and to put on exciting races.The PROPS Series of the early nineties seemed to be very similar to what this new group is going to try to accomplish in 2002, and that didnt work either.I can certainly understand why some people may not like the direction of the APBA LLC, but in my opinion the positives far outweigh the negatives;solid fleets of boats,parity with the rules providing competitive racing and improved sponsorship programs and television exposure.I guess they have alienated themselves from some race sites by asking for more money, but can you really blame them for looking out for thier own best interest, and the interest of the race teams and corporate sponsors.The only way to get this sport to the next level is to generate more money for the organization which will eventually filter down to the race teams through improved exposure, sponsorship opportunities and more prize money, which will attract more race teams and corporate sponsors!Competing sanctioning bodies will continue to be detrimental to the sport; so in my opinion, everyone should get behind the APBA LLC.</STRONG> |
I think this is where John Crouse drops out of this post. :eek:
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I'm just happy some one is going to race in Corpus. Now just give me the fricking website so I can download and memorize another set of fricking rules. Since I will probably only race in Corpus, I just want to find out what the frick is going on NOW so I can make some fricking plans to get my fricking boat rigged and my **** together. So let's get the fricking FORCE on the road! :mad:
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FRICK! :eek: :D :eek:
LMAO---man, I haven't heard that one since I was knee high to a grasshopper! |
Offshore1,
I guess you disagree with my post, but it is just MY OPINION.I am just a fan of the sport and have nothing to gain by supporting one group over another.My opinion is based what has happenedto the sport in the past.Multiple sanctioning bodies have been a detriment to other motorsports as well; after all, look what the CART-IRL power struggle did to the Indy 500 and open wheel racing in general! |
Sean, I wanted to cuss my ass off, but since we live in this politcally correct forum, I decided to refrain. I haven't used the frick word in a while and thought what the f*ck.
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John, help me out here. Is www.forceseries.com your address? If so, are you guys using APBA rules and class designations? Like I said, I don't care who races in Corpus since it's the only race I'll probably be able to run. I'm happy there is a race. I just want to know what fricking rules I use. A little help here. I'm new to racing and I was just getting the jist of APBA. I'm pissy since things are not as I had expected, but I'll get over it. I just need a bit of help getting going in the right direction.
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See what I mean? :eek: :rolleyes:
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We will be running APBA-Pro national series only.Super V Pier 57 Stainless Marine #29.Rick Turmel
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This is to John Crouse
I met you in Orlando at the Donzi meet in my eyes I respected you, When we sat at the table and were talking for over an hour about some of the old timers I felt a great respect for you and how you loved racing! But John I got to say my respect for you just went out the door! I am not in to the politics and could careless but I do come from a Political family that Mud slinging is a way of life and I have no respect for any of that, I am not involved with Politics like some of my Family members because of the BS, I follow APBA, SBI OBA and anywhere else there is a good boat race. I am getting so tired of someone starting a boat club or has a problem with a boat club and right away has to throw the other club owner under the bus, And then you expect everyone else to follow! I would have more respect if you would start your club and work hand and hand with other clubs! So we all can go on and enjoy boat racing for what it is! RACING. Frank |
Rather insightful Frank! Seems that Mr. Crouse has been rather SILENT lately! Gordo, me, DaveP, You, etc., etc., etc., have voiced a diference in opinion and he has not replied. Hmmmmm..
Shane :cool: |
By the way, the latest installment of SEATALK, has tagged members of this board "chat room queens." So we're good enough for Mr. Crouse to sell products or politics to, but not good enough to question him? Strange.
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