Thought it might be good to bring this back to the top (Note i started this thread in 2008)

I re read all of it and was amazed at the people who chimed in and there insite Having Richie Powers and Rich lures comment was fascinating and very sobering

I hope we keep debating this if for no other reason than to keep people thinking

I was taking photos of the boats during the race negotiating the turn in the harbor from the fifth floor of the Galleon. I witnessed Tom Gentry's accident and subsequent death in Key West. It changed my whole perspective on boating the thought that a man with his wealth experience and means could perish in such a simple roll over. My prayers go out to his family and all involved.

Excellent point of view on the SOTW accidents and racing in general. I think the main problem is, time and money. Boat racing doesn't have the money to support it due to the fact it's not broadcasted except in a very negative way. They need to up the sponsorship opportunities and help people out who are wanting to get into this sport.

BRING BACK THE FACTORY CLASSES!

F1-F2 were two of the most fun classes to watch outside of the big boys. It wasn't prohibitively expensive to run either, but even the race sanctions saying you can run 1000hp motor but you can't run a #6, wtf is that horse chit? You have to run a Bmax....or an IMCO....or wait, a certain north carolina former boat builder who got to run his own engines, not sealed...because that's a fair advantage...I remember that scandal...

It's almost like they are handicapping people, because blowing a drive every weekend is cheap...not saying it happens, but if you're racing and pushing things to the max, they should be helping the pocketbooks of the racers not emptying them..

Just my .02

Marc,

Thanks for livening this one back up. It ought to be required reading for anybody who organizes a Poker Run. And your points are just as valid today as they were when you first wrote them!

Tom

I agree with this whole heartily. F1 & F2 racing was the last time I actually cared about offshore racing. Huge fleets, relative ease of racing and close competition made it exciting.

The way it was explained to me by a few that are definately in the know is that F1 & F2 racing will never return due to the fact - A fatal racing colission is something no boat company wants To be associated with.

But man, I miss those classes.

Interesting Tank

I would love to see F1 and F 2 back as well but the collision (lawsuit) concern is valid and part of my point to all of this

For those of you reading this thread for the first time, let me tell you something. I talked to Marc today for about 45 minutes. We (OSO) are lucky to have somebody this intelligent, caring, articulate and passionate in our midst. Maybe a few more people should listen to what he has to say.

And Marc, thanks for taking time out of your busy day to talk to me. And if there's ever anything I can do for you, you know how to get hold of me!

Tom

Tom I enjoyed it as well stay in touch and ring me up any time

It is a strange thing that is occurring in our society today.. The thought process has changed to "They will take it away from us if we don't protect ourselves from ourselves."

Even 15 years ago but more to the tune of 20 and before if someone said "They are going to take it away from us" the person being posed the statement would have replied "Who the hell is they? And they can take it out of my cold dead hands."

Disregarding the actual details and the backgrounds and the this and the that.. If you were to ask me the biggest DANGER to any hobby, freedom, _____________ (fill in the blank) is not in fact the actual dangers, but the people that have succumbed to the idea that they would let someone else take something away from them.

They themselves are the problem when those people say "They will take" and continue to in most cases (not necessarily this one) spread the idea that it can be taken away, and that nobody would stand up and say "No.. I don't think so."

In short, while there is a lot of merit to the OP's opening post.. I wonder if threads like these do more harm then good, because they spread panic, and fear over a "potential" (not reality) outcome.

As far as the "they." I do not believe anybody is currently trying to shut down any Poker Run events currently. Myself and Barrett Custom Marine are putting on a smaller scale "fun day" poker run out here in Havasu weekend after next. There is some amazingly fast boats showing up to it.. Point in fact just about every hitter on the west coast is to my knowledge. They all know it's a "fun run" not an ego contest and none of them have given me any grief over it. The insurance company is taking my 2K for insurance with a smile on their face.. I don't remember them saying "We don't want to insure this event, and we want to shut them down." The coast guard was happy to provide the permits and I don't remember them saying "We hate these poker runs and want to shut them down."

So maybe I'm living in never never land... But putting on a safe fun event out here in Havasu is pretty well received if not actually welcomed by the supposed agencies and agents that I'm reading here are "trying to shut them down."

I guess what I'm saying is the skies not falling in just yet boyz.. Even if the OP says it is, I'm not buying it because I'm doing it right now and while there is a potential for a "storm" if something were to happen, there's not a cloud in the sky currently. You can't live your life based on "If something" because that is living in fear, and that my friends is a not so good way to live.

RD

i feel that the op made some good points,and even though there is not a cloud in the sky right now,the current forcast sais big storm might be coming,i also am aware of the lawsuit the op was involved in,and i believe that has bearing on his way of thinking.it is my belief that if we dont start to put a plan in effect as far as speeds in poker runs,lightning will strike eventuially.150 plus in a poker run is a lightning rod wating for a strike,just my thinking outloud.