great idea.........
oohhh wait thats what we got already.

YES AL THOSE SUPERCAT COMING RIGHT AT THE PIER

I thought we were talking about Haggin.......

Good Point......

This is about Haggin and what he has done for the sport!!!!!!

Thanks for letting me be a part of your team and I hope that things go well for you in the future my friend. BIG SMILE:)

GEICO will stay in the sport next year although at this time it is unclear what the pans for the boat are. Thanks to everyone for their support and see you in 2011!!!!

Good Luck John............ We wish you the best.

You have joined a long list of colorful, famous, (and infamous) benefactors who have carried the sport of Offshore Racing on their shoulders at times, starting with the sport's greatest contributer, Carl Kiekhaefer, and passing on to Bill Wishnick, Rocky Aoki, Al Copeland, various Augie Busch's, Tom Gentry, Joe Mach, Bill Gifford, and even a number of drug kingpins and La Cosa Nostra for a time.

One clear question is emerging. In the absence of one or more generous deep pocketed individual(s), can the sport survive on its own two feet?

The next couple of years should be both interesting for the "givers" and distressing for the "takers".

God Speed Mr. Haggin, and may "The Horse" be with you.....;)

T2x

Sorry for the hijack. John, thanks for all you have done for the sport all these years. Your generosity and patience seems to know no bounds. Good luck on the next part of your journey, don't forget to stop by a race once in a while :D

BIG SMILE!

Best of luck John. Thanks for all you've done for the sport!!


===============================

On another note:

I couldn't agree more. That was the most incredible race I can remember.

I took these from the Pier. Look at all those boats vying for the lead into turn #1.

:cool:

Thank you Mr. Haggin.

To me, T2X's question is as compelling as what form AMF Racing will take in the near and distant future. And it begs another:

Did the sport scare off, burn out or simply bore the hell out of another extremely deep and generous pocket?

Slightly off topic but worth clarifying: It's been suggested that horse racing/race horse breeding is a "new" pursuit for Haggin. Not the case.

Last, while there will always be critics willing to tell you how you should have spent your money, you did right—more than right—by this sport, Mr. Haggin. You gave far more than you took, and from where I sit you tried to make it better. Onto greener equine pastures.

Without a doubt there is not a more accurate statement than that.

I would be tempted to say that John Haggin was THE most generous person the sport has ever seen. Between supporting his own team and for several years countless others in one way or another. Definately a unique kind of guy.

Thanks for the memories and the laughs John!

I just wish he would come in this thread and tell us why he chose to retire and what's going to happen to the team going forward.

What happens with the team moving forward is now up to Scotty B and Marc "Rockstar" Granet.

John has other plans for himself now....

Who knows ?

Perhaps he will take a few other regular guys and turn them into household names in another sport ??? :drink:

That picture sums it up why I keep beating the factory drum. I will never forget the starts in the F1 Days.

WTF are you talking about Tim??? GEICO will be making decisions regarding the team now. Marc and Scotty are hired guns who can be replaced at any time.

Could be that he honestly doesn't know at this point. Maybe he has a basic notion (that's what I got from the team members on Sunday night and it's what I reported) but maybe his plan isn't fully formed at this time.

What the plan is, it will come out in due time, as will why he retired. I think everyone would like to know, but if I'm Mr. Haggin I will announce my plans (or have my people announce them because, hey, I'm retired) when I'm good and ready.

He has joined the Tea Party......I am very happy for him:)

Funny :D

100% agreed.

Those classes got more people into watching, participating, & BUYING factory class boats, than ANY other class of offshore racing I can recall. Competitive, reasonably affordable, & FUN, it was the perfect combination!

That would be the BEST idea, to bring those classes back, asap.

Thanks for the MANY MEMORIES
 

Haggin,

How a chance encounter changed my life....I will never find the proper words to describe my gratitude for what you've done for me so for the sake of keeping it simple, I offer a very well deserved "THANK YOU!"

BEST OF LUCK in all of your future endeavors!

I was quoting Haggin from what he stated on the stage at the awards at LIVE BAIT during his announcement of his retirement.

Do you really think it was Geico that came up all of the ideas that came to life in the AMF camp over the past several years ?

Sorry, to my knowledge it was Haggin that was very innovative and came up with most of the off the hook promotions and ideas....

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...15332357-3.jpg

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...17004776-3.jpg

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...03909755-3.jpg

http://sharkeyimages.zenfolio.com/im...43760198-3.jpg

+1

I have no doubt Haggin came up with a lot of the promotional items. Maybe not all, but a lot. However, that has no bearing on the team itself.

Haggin said he was giving control of MGR to Marc and Scotty? I assume then he will continue to fund the team along with GEICO.

Don't ever ASSume....

I am not sure what part of my post you do not understand, but obviously you seem to have doubt in what I have posted. :rolleyes:

So here is a suggestion.

Why not ask Ron P to post the video he shot from the awards where Haggin announced his retirement ?

Perhaps even have another look at Matt Trulio's story ?

http://speedonthewater.com/haggin-retires

"According to Haggin representatives including his attorney and Miss Geico driver Marc Granet, Haggin plans to step away from day-to-day, decision-making involvement with the team but will still track its progress."

Maybe then you just might get it ? or not...... :confused:

Ok whatever, I'm done with the speculation. Hey Polli post that video.

I met John and crew at the LOTO shootout years ago and he was one of the nicest, most genuine person I have ever met! Good for you John and thank you for everything you have done for the sport.

Isn't this thread about John Haggins Retirement from the sport. Instead of making a big deal about Factory Racing on this post ,start a new post about Factory Racing. Lets Honor and respect John Haggins decision to retire from the sport, which he has done so much for and if any of you disagree, step up and lets see what you can do and contribute to the sport. He did great things and I for one appreciate everything he has done and maybe the rest will come out later, if there is anything at all, obviously Mark and Scott have nothing to say at this time.

Having met and talked to him many times over the last couple years, The man ALWAYS has a smile on his face, always has something good to say and always wants to help somehow. Always a class act in my book.

TA-DA!!! Well said ;)

I have been on OSO for a while and let me say that I am amazed with how fast we forget things and move on. I didn't attend the Orange Beach race so I wasn't aware of John's announcement, but it is a complete shock to read this on here. John Haggin's contribution to this sport shouldn't be measured in dollar signs it should be measure in relationships, technical advances, and most importantly safety advancements. His efforts have paid dividends that most, if not all, racers have been cashing in on for years. I have had the pleasure to share a drink with John and let me tell you, WOW! what a true spirit.

John, I hope that whatever it is that your moving onto repays you with joy and gratitude. You deserve it.

As far as the rest of us racer on here I'm disappointed that this isn't the longest, most talked about, most discussed and most updated forum on here. Don't you think he deserves it?

Chris

I agree Chris and is why I brought it back to the top with another one of John's marketing ideas. The MGR Bobble Heads.... :drink:

Crongrats John .you will be missed my friend.

Superheat Chris..lets gets some motors in thta thing and race Supercat. We can make any adjustment u need...look at WARPAINT

Haggin, thanks for everything you've done for the sport. Clearly you've left it in better shape than you found it.

See ya soon, keep smiling!

Ron

PS - I didn't get his speech on video. http://www.vimeo.com/16159531

Nice Vid Ron,well done:drink:

Nice coverage Captain Hollis !!!


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqWwSKxmyPc[/youtube]

Cool video Tim,

The formal announcement:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1645919037438



.:drink:

+ Turbine
+ 850
+ P1
+ P2
+ P3
+ P4
+ P5
+ P6

Looks like 16+ classes to me.