Why not race?
 

Just curious here! With such fantastic machinery over there in the US on the pleasure scene (Poker Runs etc) that are quick and capable, why don´t more people race? Is it the relaxed atmosphere at Poker Runs that people prefer? I would have thought that at most race events part of the pleasure of attending would be the social scene prior to racing. No? Is it different somehow?? It always amazes me to see such toys not out there giving it hell on the race circuit.

Re: Why not race?
 

very very good question ? have often wonder myself. with the amount of monies that is spent on poker runs...travel, registration fees, lodging etc... it could at times be cheaper to race.

Re: Why not race?
 

Most poker run boats wouldnt fit into any class. Not canopied, and over the P class requirements. And if they did fit into a specific class, probably wouldnt be competetive against the other boats. Unless you had a full blown race boat, which isnt the most compfortable thing for takign the fam to shooters.
Plus racing the high end boats, cost much more then poker running them.

Re: Why not race?
 

Top reason: You can't take your friends and family out for the day in your race boat and stop wherever you want for lunch. Much more social bang for the buck in poker runs.

As for costs, ask anyone who has legitimately campaigned a Super Cat or Super Cat light about that one. You could do a whole lot of poker runs, and pick up all the tabs, from bar to hotel, for your entire group of friends, for that kind of dough.

As for offshore racing in the most exotic equipment on the planet, like the stuff you see in poker runs, recall the two-boat, Alcone-Barber era. Cool stuff and very fast but, yawn.

And the costs get really crazy when you talk about UIM Class 1. You could take an entire performance boating club poker running for years on that kind of budget. Heck, you need the wealth of a nation, Dubai for example, to be competitive in UIM Class 1.

As for the rest, such as organizer politics and race boat owner antics, check out any of the many fine posts on offshore racing by T2X.

In many ways, poker run popularity is reaction to offshore racing.

Re: Why not race?
 

Number 1: You have to start by having it in your blood! :D Racing isn't for everyone.

Re: Why not race?
 

Great Thread to start.

I think it is probably also the fact that sponsorship is hard to come by.
It's a helluva lot easier to just make a few Poker Runs every year, and not have the "commitment" to be at every race.
We don't have offshore racers that call this thier "job". Only a select few don't have a "day job". Everyone else racing is doing it for love (or obsession) of the sport. And, they don't get paid to race, in fact, it will likely cost them more to make it to the race than what the potential purse is.

Why it is that way, is the unanswered question that most members of this board also wonder.

Re: Why not race?
 

Three or so sanctioning organizations.

Low turn out of boats as they are split among multiple sanction bodies. Sanctioning bodies who often schedule races on same weekends. This further dilutes the race field at events.

Little to no television coverage that might encourage new blood.

Bickering between racers on public forums makes one question the potential for enjoyment.

While Poker runs have become huge, the truth is most performance boaters don't participate in ANY organized events.

Many prefer to run with friends and enjoy the company of like minded boaters in impromtu lunch runs or hanging out at sandbars and raft ups all over the country.

Re: Why not race?
 

To me they are two totaly differnt sports. I am not a racer, but from observation I think poker runers enjoy the freedom and the social aspect of it as opposed to the rigidity of racing. You can pick your venues, you can bring your spouses and friends, if it is rough you don't have beat yourself up or even complete a leg, you don't have to run in circles, and you can build your engines to your specifications. And lastly you can bring your pet Yorkie :doggy:

In our house poker running keeps the peace, Ian gets to go fast and because I get to go along it keeps me interested in boating and a lot more agreeable when instead of a birthday gift we get a new fuel pump and oil coolers. While I enjoy an occassional race there is no way I would sit on the sidelines weekend after weekend unable to ride in our boat. So for our lifestye and budget it is poker runs for us :D

Re: Why not race?
 

*Poker runs and racing are two seperate animals. I race because I like competition. If I wanted to play cards-I'd go to Atlantic City.
*Almost all Poker run boats DO fit into a "P" class.
* Multiple sanctioning bodies is no different then car racing. For example, look at Cart and IRL on a National Level, then look at your local track, how many classes do they offer-and are the classes different from track to track??-yes!!
* TV coverage is limited-but how many local tracks have TV?? How many Poker Runs are on TV??
* There is always bickering in any form of racing, check out some of the NASCAR message boards. :rolleyes:
* Why do Poker boats have #'s?? Are they racer wanna bees???
*There is great equipment at Poker runs, often better than the races, however, I go to races because I like COMPETITION, not for eye candy.
* Mr HP is right, "you have to have it in your blood". Could the racing be better-hell yea, I'd love to see 20 + boats in every class!
*Racing takes Kahunnas, just look at at OC Maryland last two weeks ago 6'to 8' waves, 25 boats broke pushing them past their limit....
Great thread!!! :eek:

Re: Why not race?
 

How bout for the guy that has a 28 Pantera or a 33 Scarab, a 27 Fountain etc...The OPA has a spot for your "AVERAGE" boater, who maybe wants to or can only make 2,3,4 races per season, puts a number on his pleasure boat, enters his class and has a chance at a $5000.00 purse...his entry is "ZERO" his slip fees are "ZERO". It costs $100.00 per person to register each person running in the boat.

Re: Why not race?
 

Bern,

Yes, definitley, it cost less to campaign a P-class boat in a race than it does to enter the same boat in a poker run. But the initial question had to do with the "fantastic machinery," which is why I drew the Super Cat analogy. I can tell you this, though, the purses in racing don't even come close to covering the costs in the Super Cat and Super Cat Light classes.

No one is racing offshore for the money. Even John Tomlinson doesn't claim to make a living as an "offshore racer." He owns a marine business and a marina. Name a famous throttleman, past or present, and I'll show you someone who also had another job.

That doesn't make the spectacle of offshore racing any less cool. It just puts it in perspective. And even if the sanctioning bodies were totally unified, you'd have a tough time selling a sport that few people can relate to sponsors. Yes, it could be packaged for television (that gets beaten to death in discussions), but that becomes a chicken or the egg argument ... so me the product before I invest ... need investment before I can show you the product.

Again, that doesn't make offshore any less cool. It is what it is, though.

Trick is right, too. Though poker runs are cool, the majority of high-perf boat owners have probably never entered one.

Robert is dead on, too. Not everyone has racing in their blood. There are plenty of guys out there with really fast boats who have no interest in running deck to deck with others guys trying to beat them to the finish.

I think my point was that racing, at least in terms of cost, isn't any cheaper and, in the upper classes, is a whole lot more expensive than poker-running. I'd be interested to know what the average P-class guy spends in a season. That might make a difference. Feel free to chime in.

Re: Why not race?
 

[QUOTE=Robert Geoghegan
* Why do Poker boats have #'s?? Are they racer wanna bees???
[/QUOTE]

The reason poker run boats have # on them is for the Helicopters who take video & pictures. If you notice Poker Runners always have the # on the deck, not on the side of their boats.

LS

Re: Why not race?
 

I would say one of the biggest reasons is MONEY. It costs alot of money (expenses) to run a boat in the racing circut.

Re: Why not race?
 

The poker runs have more deaths then real racing.........must be the thrill........m.m........

Re: Why not race?
 

and you have to do all the races. you can go to just one poker run

Re: Why not race?
 

I don't think its true you have to do all the races.

Re: Why not race?
 

i think the media does not realize the how cool the sport really is.....we dont get the coverage........i know this is like a broken record but i have to say it, if we went back to the old school way it would work........just think with technology helicopters, cameras, sound quality..........you would have to be a homo not to like that..............puck people watch reality tv................................................ .................................................. .....................ok im done

Re: Why not race?
 

In light of the drawing thats a timely question considering someone who wins has most likely not raced.

Re: Why not race?
 

A good poker run boat is not a good race boat. It is like a street ferrari verses a competition ferrari.

P-class racing is good because it shows how good your pleasure boat is to the market. It gives you a chance to run your boat at 90% to 100% so you can handle running your friends around at 50%.

Go race. Get some help from professionals, it will make your pleasure boating better.

pat W

Re: Why not race?
 

ORL has some great plans for 2007. Please feel free to contact me and I'll give you the run down. Basically you can purchase a 50 thousand dollar boat and take home 20 grand on the weekend.

www.offshoreracingleague.com

Re: Why not race?
 

Most Poker Runs have 50-75 boats in the event the Large ones have 100 Plus,,,, I have not seen 50 race boats (which are split into 6-10 classes) run together for a very long time ,,,, Maybe 94-96 Key West ??? More particpants== more acidents! I still agree with your thoughts :D
Run them offshore!!

RHC

Re: Why not race?
 

Ms P

Poker run is a sport ???????????????

Re: Why not race?
 

I know the real reason most all these Poker Run boats do not race is because racing and poker running the boat fast is 2 very different things. Poker Runs are fast but not at the expense of beating yourself and the boat up. Racing a boat you are on the far edge of fast for a long time. Racing is very different than just running your poker run boat across the lake or down the intracoastal waterway.
Also the race organizations here is the USA are in trouble with very low boat counts, loss of major sponsors and the expense to race is far greater than Poker Running with your buddy's

Re: Why not race?
 

Oh also Poker Running is NOT I repete NOT a sport! You do not have to have any athletic ability at all to particapate in a Poker Run. Boating is NOT a sport either it is an outdoor activity.

Re: Why not race?
 

I love doing both it is addiction.

Re: Why not race?
 

I usually try to stay out of these,but actually both are sports.

Helpful Definitions:

Sport: A form of leisure-time physical activity that is planned, structured and competitive.

sport (spôrt, sprt) n.
1. a. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
3. An active pastime; recreation.

My wife and I have talked about buying a race boat many times. It is a huge commitment from everyone we've talked with and also a way to make sure you have no leisure time for anything else! There are a couple of successful husband/wife teams out there and we may yet decide to jump in (me on throttles).

I believe most Poker Runners do it for the fun but a very few do it to be the big dog. In racing, boats in classes are equal. In Poker Runs, a few dominate the rest of us (watch out for "catkiller" :D) . Just once I would like to be the big dog! But, that being said, I love to run alongside of the true cream of the crop, even if just for a little while, then have a chat after the run. How many times do the NASCAR guys participate in a "Rally" and than have a chat after lunch with their fans? It is a very unique opportunity which needs to be protected. (Off of soapbox now.)

Re: Why not race?
 

this is a greaty argument, but for racing to be anything (for me to get into) it has to go back to its roots.The scary thing is i dont think it ever will.................

Re: Why not race?
 

What part of the roots are you lookin for? just curious .... :bunny:

Re: Why not race?
 

Racing looked very promising back in the late 90's up until 2003. After 2003 it has been in the dump.

Re: Why not race?
 

How many races you been to this year? :bunny:

Re: Why not race?
 

1 so far. I miss it and loved it when I use to be a part of it but the turn out and bickering, low turn out, no TV and so forth has turned me off.

Re: Why not race?
 

Too bad OPA doesnt race in your neck of the woods (altho Im glad they dont cuz if they did I couldnt go) :D

Re: Why not race?
 

Mike ... you comin up to Destin? I think you might be surprised .... These guys arent perfect but they are definitely movin in a good direction :bunny:

Re: Why not race?
 

open ocean, big water, broken bones, tuff old school boats,heritage,commraderey, cool people, sticking together,race for passion not for hey i have a ton of money look at me,helicopter shots of boats flying 10 feet out of the water and 50 feet long before the hit the water............I am willing to bet half of the boat manifactures out know would not last in the waters the old rides use to run in............

other than that naked chicks woulkd be cool

Re: Why not race?
 

LOL - Ocean City was pretty damn close to that .... some of it was right on ... Ill let you figure out which parts :drink:

Re: Why not race?
 

I remember when racing was a bunch of cool guys trying to have a good time quietly.............now its a bunch loud guys trying to be cool............m.m......

Re: Why not race?
 

I am seriously thinking of stopping by on my way home to Tampa on Sunday. I will be at the Blue Angels year end show in Pensacola that Saturday. OPA does seem to have a lot more positive going on from what I read here on OSO. I think Hollis with his ORL is on to something if he can get past the politics and people that will try to bring you down.

Re: Why not race?
 

OK , IF ITS A SPORT LET ME CALL UP YOUR INSURANCE CO AND LET THEM KNOW ITS A SPORT.


mIKE

Re: Why not race?
 

I hope you make it .. if you do please look me up.... Id like to shake your hand ... and I look forward to seein ORL racin with OPA next year too. Its gonna be good :cool:

Re: Why not race?
 

nocigarette - I just want to say, you and I have been on a few threads together recently, and it's like I have a brother I've never met.
So far, I'm right with you.