Bill Jasper
President State Dock
cell: (270) 566-1894
[email protected] Debbie Schumann
Public Relations
(270) 343-2525
[email protected]

How about this, We as a group or individuals start contacting the individuals above stating they as organizers need to follow their Poker Run rules and expel those that break the rules.

There’s been a good deal of chatter about the recent tragedy at the Lake Cumberland Poker Run and what might be done to prevent anything similar from happening in the future. Some of the chatter has been absolutely pitiful. (Have some respect; two good people lost their lives.) Some has been “pie in the sky” ideas such as helicopter pacing and closed courses. Some has been good, constructive thoughts about certain individual ideas that might help. I however have only seen on really well thought out and complete proposal on solving the problems – written by Marc Blondin. (From the former Smoke on the Water Poker Run, so he ought to know.)

As someone with over 50 years of boating experience (both sail and power), a former club level racer, the former Race Director (Divisional APBA race) for the Rochester Offshore Powerboat Association and both 22 year participant and sometimes organizer of ROPA’s annual Poker Run, I think I’m qualified to offer a few suggestions and can also tell you what does not work.

Before I get to the details though, let me mention a couple of things. First, closing the course as is done during an actual race is a great idea – but totally unworkable for 99% of the Poker Run courses out there. I have personal experience with closing a portion of Lake Ontario for an APBA Divisional race and let me tell you, it’s almost impossible to do. If you think for a minute that a row of brightly colored buoys every 100 feet, numerous Picket Boats with brightly colored flags, numerous Law Enforcement and Coast Guard vessels patrolling the line and the course and regular VHF radio broadcasts is going to keep Ma and Pa Kettle in their 16’ Bayliner from rambling into the center of the course, you’re sorely mistaken. (Ask me how I know that.)

Second, there’s simply no such thing as a 140+ MPH “pleasure boat” that can be safely operated at anywhere near its top speed on an uncontrolled body of water. Even if you have racing experience, pleasure boaters – who have just as much right to be on the water as we do – can pop up out of nowhere and you’re just not going to have time to take evasive action. Even a fully equipped race boat cannot safely operate at anywhere near its top speed on an uncontrolled course and any good racer will tell you that they wouldn’t even dream of it. Why “the Chiropractor for the Stars” who has more money than brains, zero racing experience and can’t even dock without causing widespread carnage thinks he (or she) can do it just makes me foam at the mouth.

Third, sure spectators want to see the “the big guys going stupid fast.” Sure, all of the videos show them hooting and hollering when somebody goes by at 150 MPH twenty feet off their bow. These same people however will be the first ones to sue everybody in sight if they’re injured – even due to their own stupidity. And given the current legal climate in this country, sadly, they’ll probably win.

Finally, the single biggest problem we need to fix is turning Poker Runs back into what they were designed to be and not thinly disguised races or opportunities to race. A Poker Run should be a safe, relaxing day with a bunch of other people who enjoy safe, high performance boating. “Terrorizing the local population” and “needlessly putting others at risk” should not be part of the program. If you really want to race, join one of the many sanctioning bodies, learn the rules, buy a real race boat (start small and work your way up) and take a Tres Martin course!

Enough venting. Here what I’d propose and there’s a good deal in common with Marc’s proposal:

1) A 110 MPH speed limit for all boats during the run

2) Absolutely no racing - period

3) Approved PFD’s to be worn by all participants any time the boat is on plane

4) Any boat capable of over 55 MPH must have a functioning Kill Switch for each engine and the tether must be attached to the driver / throttleman any time the boat is on plane

5) “Fleets” with pre-announced speeds guided by Pace Boats where participants can select just how fast they want to run

6) Absolutely no passing of the Pace Boat(s)

7) Strict adherence to all local laws and regulations such as “No Wake” zones and safe distances from shore / other boaters

8) No alcohol for drivers or participants until after the run has officially finished

9) Since the course will by definition be “uncontrolled,” all standard “Rules of the Road” will apply and non-participants will be given a wide berth and considered to have the right of way

10) Breakage of any of the above rules will lead to disqualification from the run and a report to the local law enforcement officials if deemed serious enough by the organizers

Will these rules stop people from dying in Poker Runs? For the most part, I believe they will. They will not however prevent folks with more money than brains or common sense from doing stupid things in boats they are not qualified to run or running at unsafe speeds and paying the ultimate price. The alternative will be government instituting insanely complex and / or totally unworkable rules that will effectively outlaw Poker Runs. Which would you like to see?

Tom

I think you pretty much nailed what's needed Tom. If all the run organizers agreed, it would be done. Let me rephrase that.

The run organizers that Do take that advice, will have poker runs that have less trouble, far more local support, and hopefully last far into the future.

Very nice post Too Stroked! Your sixth paragraph should be taken to heart by all.

A friend and I have worked the races for a few years now. Even with Sherrif boats and CG and patrol boats (like us) on a closed course with permits it is a pain to keep it clear!

One of the nice things about my local is the Wednesday pokerruns. There are very few people on the water. The stops are empty and welcome the business. We're on a large body of water but the weekend's are so busy it would cause problems. I know it's not optimal but it does lessen congestion and the fast boats can stretch their legs.

After seeing all the vids from Cumberland, imo dropping buoys for the first leg doesn't sound like a bad idea. That is IF that is the only area where they really run hard getting to the first card. I doubt it is but seems to be the census.

Excellent post!!!! Looking at some of the photos taken from the air of the Lake Cumberland poker run.......where are all the LIFE JACKETS? Isn't that one of the rules of this poker run?

Proof that the basic solutions are pretty apparent to anyone who spends a little time thinking about the issue. (By definition, that means "common sense".) These ten points are 80% in line with the "Poker Run Ten Commandments" introduced twelve years ago by the NJPPC and a number of other organizations. PRA's guidelines (even older) are also very similar.

What's sad to me is that we are back here again, hashing out the same conversation and arriving at the same conclusions. Why can't "we" have the discipline to live by "our own" philosophy and enforce "our own" rules? As a community, some seem to have the ability to learn, others not so much...

I agree 100%.

So what your saying is we wont be seeing any more Turbine Marine rigged open cockpit Poker Run boats?

Is that a hint gino??

And let me add one more thought. The first boat to arrive at any card stop should be a Pace Boat.