Gratton Lawsuit Filed
#52
Doesn't it strike you odd that a lot of people who are actually participating in or facilitating offshore racing in this country are for this lawsuit? Does it dawn on you that maybe we know a little more about what has gone on and would like to see it stopped once and for all? Even though the possibility exists that it could damage the sport which we collectively have worked on for years? I mean it's nice to hear from guys that raced decades ago, and it's awesome to hear from poker run promoters and participants, input from all sides is super. But please, pay attention to who is defending (for what reason I have no idea, since this is gonna happen and things will get sorted out) this lawsuit and maybe, just maybe stop knee jerking that lawsuits are bad and let this happen. If it clears SBI, yippee, if not and SBI folds, then Karma is a b!tch. As for the "sh!t happens" defense, yes it does, but if some cheap bastard won't pay for a 4" pipe the sh!t ends up in your basement, where it can kill you
#53
Doesn't it strike you odd that a lot of people who are actually participating in or facilitating offshore racing in this country are for this lawsuit? Does it dawn on you that maybe we know a little more about what has gone on and would like to see it stopped once and for all? Even though the possibility exists that it could damage the sport which we collectively have worked on for years? I mean it's nice to hear from guys that raced decades ago, and it's awesome to hear from poker run promoters and participants, input from all sides is super. But please, pay attention to who is defending (for what reason I have no idea, since this is gonna happen and things will get sorted out) this lawsuit and maybe, just maybe stop knee jerking that lawsuits are bad and let this happen. If it clears SBI, yippee, if not and SBI folds, then Karma is a b!tch. As for the "sh!t happens" defense, yes it does, but if some cheap bastard won't pay for a 4" pipe the sh!t ends up in your basement, where it can kill you 

#55
Well i can only suspect since it hasnt happend wher i had a loved one effected that i would have to consider a suit but Active Pat has and he has taken the high road so I will defer to him on this HE had a case and DID NOT SUE Not everyone thinks about a free ride
#56
Yes you can ask
I got calls from participants and local law informent that were telling me that they got a cal from (place name here), that they were calling for "Information" regaurding the accident.
I recognized a few of the names that they shared
I got calls from participants and local law informent that were telling me that they got a cal from (place name here), that they were calling for "Information" regaurding the accident.
I recognized a few of the names that they shared
#58
Doesn't it strike you odd that a lot of people who are actually participating in or facilitating offshore racing in this country are for this lawsuit? Does it dawn on you that maybe we know a little more about what has gone on and would like to see it stopped once and for all? Even though the possibility exists that it could damage the sport which we collectively have worked on for years? I mean it's nice to hear from guys that raced decades ago, and it's awesome to hear from poker run promoters and participants, input from all sides is super. But please, pay attention to who is defending (for what reason I have no idea, since this is gonna happen and things will get sorted out) this lawsuit and maybe, just maybe stop knee jerking that lawsuits are bad and let this happen. If it clears SBI, yippee, if not and SBI folds, then Karma is a b!tch. As for the "sh!t happens" defense, yes it does, but if some cheap bastard won't pay for a 4" pipe the sh!t ends up in your basement, where it can kill you 

Seems to me your agenda is with SBI and not with racing
I am sure we can find as many racers that are NOT interested in the suit going forward. They are having a meeting in Miami this week with racers and promoters to see what can be done going forward (Ted are you going to this) This is about solutions not about suing
Contrary to Phantoms statement there are many similarities to our accident (yea it was a poker run not a race) and in the end the settlement was over 8 million dollars and none of that money went to make poker runs safer. I attended a number of meetings in Florida with participants, racers and promoters trying to make our events safer. I am not sure enough was resolved and I know that PRA is still holding the annual meetings.
I will continue to say it. Change will come from the racers and promoters working for change and making the sport better, not from lawyers suing, especialy sponsors of an event. Tell me how that is making the sport better
By the way I not only promoted poker runs but I put on a couple of boat races as well, and my ex wife was a risk manager for the APBA Silver Cup Series back in the day. I know about the safety standards and how some times they are overlooked or ignored and they continued to need to be managed in order to remain safe
If you want answers then work with local law enforcement and Coast guard. Trust me this lawsuit will only bring change to a few peoples bank accounts Hopefully the heighten awareness will now get some things changed by those directly involved in the sport not by people looking for money
Last edited by boatme; 02-15-2012 at 05:06 AM.
#59
It is just unfortunate that thsi is chipping away at sponsors and the sport in general
#60
This will piss everyone off but I would submit. Who is holding the family responsible for letting there family member race? (If we are going to hold everyone responsible)I asked this question in a deposition meeting and got a glazed over look from a room of lawyers in our law suit.
If the suspicion is that the organization has been running things sub standard then why are you letting your loved one race? Oh yea because that is what he loved to do !!! Well then, they knew the risk, signed a waiver and went racing end of story! Work at a better sport using lessons learned.
Remember Jack Carmody? When Jack died change came to canopy boat regulations sad it took his death but many changes happened after that. It did not totally solve the problem but helped.
This should be discussion about how to get better at the sport I am done arguing I have had my say and some agree and some do not. We can guess all day but apparently a suit is initiated and we will see the fall out in the future. God bless our friends who have perished and I hope we have learned and make things better going forward
If the suspicion is that the organization has been running things sub standard then why are you letting your loved one race? Oh yea because that is what he loved to do !!! Well then, they knew the risk, signed a waiver and went racing end of story! Work at a better sport using lessons learned.
Remember Jack Carmody? When Jack died change came to canopy boat regulations sad it took his death but many changes happened after that. It did not totally solve the problem but helped.
This should be discussion about how to get better at the sport I am done arguing I have had my say and some agree and some do not. We can guess all day but apparently a suit is initiated and we will see the fall out in the future. God bless our friends who have perished and I hope we have learned and make things better going forward




