S.b.i. And A.p.b.a. One Body
 

I'M going to start this thread,but i want ideas not a pissing match between who supports who!!
john and mike need to see the big picture. there are thousands of fans and many racers that are side lined that are tired of the b.s. . The more people i talk with want alot of boats and 5or 6 classes,not 12 with 2 boats in each class. i think we need to go back to the old days with 100 boats,put apba and sbi # together.i guess its a dream,but would be nice.just my thoghts.
even up racing also rules but not overboard.it has to be done for the sport. people need to check there egos or the sport will die. THANK-YOU SCOTT

HELLO---Scott


MONEY




Mike

Rots of Ruck!!! I'll beleive it when I see it. EVERYONE I have talked with (both racers and fans) agree that their is a "sweet" spot between APBA & SBI. My vote goes to Steve David.:) :cool: Pete

"you can fool the fans, but you can't fool the players":eek:

Well if the fans go away then something will happen, I don't go to races anymore because of the amount of boats that show up!:cool:

Mike, If you want to SEE boats, go to one of the bigger Poker Runs. It hit me like a BRICK when I went to the NYC Poker Run. AS I walked around the docks the "EYECANDY" was great for a motorhead Like me. It reminded me of the OffShore Racng days of the late 80's. Anyone remember those days BIG boats, BIG power, And BIG sponsors. I have been a Fan since the 70's and have watched the highs & lows of Offshore Racing. You all can decide for yourselfs were the sport is today:confused: :confused:

Just my .01 worth, but what do I know?

Pete:) :cool:

Scott,

I like the way you presented this idea. Thisa is a topic that has been discussed here over and over countless times. I hope we can keep it civilized this time. I agree with gmhdfan. I have been following the sport since I was a LITTLE kid. My parents used to take me to the races in the 70's. It was in Atlantic City where I saw the first boat that some 10 years later I would race.

I think many good points have been brought up here so far. There are dozens of factors that play in to the reasons for the two sanctioning bodies. There have been other roganizations that tried to step in and create a "better place" but they have since gone by the wayside. I think these big differences have actually lead to the quick rise in popularity of Poker Runs. Many former racers and current racers alike, in addition to just performance boaters are now taking part in these truly spectacular events.

I would love to see the two come together, and form one unified body and narrow the classes down as well. The idea of checking the egos att eh door is a good one. When egos come together, you usually don't make any headway, whether it is racing or otherwise. Until this happens, I think you will continue to see the popularity of Poker Runs continue to grow and flourish. With organizations like the NJPPC, with OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP, member participation and support, FRIENDLY competition, how can you go wrong? It would be great to the leadership of the racing organizations follow Dave P's lead in how he runs our club. I only wish I could make more NJPPC events.

With Ted Zoli now involved at APBA I think things at least there will improve. Although we are from teh same area we have yet to meet, however, I have conversed with him elctronically many times and he seems to be a very level headed individual with the sports best interest at heart. I hope you have a long lasting effect Ted. Best of luck.

Shane

One sanctioning body now! I am just a fan and not going to pretend to know all the politics involved. I would like to see many boats and a full day of racing or at least a couple of races. This weekend I drove 4 hours to see a race that lasted about an hour. Sure there are the dry pits, wet pits, parades, awards and all that, but the racing is what I came to see. Personally, I dont give a rats A$$ whether it is SBI or APBA.

I flew a 1000 miles to see the race. First SBI race I have been to since it was OPT. All I can say is you gotta like the Muscle team.:D :D

We race both APBA,SBI and OPA.beceause we love to race.Its more about location for us with SBI but we will travel to try to win $5,000-$7,000 in APBA.Its all racing at the end of the day but in two totaly differant enviroments.I agree they both need to reduce the # of classes.SBI should just go to P class racing with the # of boats and there tec. rules.At least there would be 5 or more boats in each class.
Randy Typhoon F1-29

Randy I like that good one

S.b.i. P - class racing

a.p.b.a. nascar


mike

Lemme make this simple...
 

If the RACERS didn't want but one sanctioning body,
there'd only BE ONE.

Everybody likes do do things differently.

Please don't give us the tired old
FOR THE GOOD OF THE SPORT
crap...I race what I likes, where I likes.

With WHO I like.

Next, you're gonna tell me it's for the children...LOL!

gmhdfan im with you on steve david i thank he's the man for the job doint care who is racing as long as it racing

Boy if that doesn't sum it up quickly in a few posts. I guess we are getting good at this argument.

These are two businesses fighting to make a profit. Going about thier busniess in different ways and catering to a different customer, that being the racers.

The only way to merge to businesses is through a buyout or one goes under and the other gets thier customers.

The only thing I would ask for, is that the two groups have a yearly meeting to set race dates so they don't conflict.

This is a great idea, but I doubt we'll ever see it...:mad: ..the best we can hope for is as Ron stated above....

Arranging for the schedules to not overlap...& refrain from stepping on each others di...uh....toes! ;)

I won't hold my breath for that one either....:rolleyes:

IMHO...for guys like myself & Vinny...our current OPA schedule is great...we had two local/divisional races and a National Race and never left "home". North Carolina was do-able and we have NY/Jersey City 40 minutes away...5 races, relatively close over the course of...4 months....Not too Shabby...

Perfect it's not...it's ain't cheap (but hey this isn't the sport for that!)..and of course, we sure wish there were more boats coming -out...etc..etc...

But we have grown close as a group...you can always ask someone for help....And, Vinny & I got a great reception from everyone when we brought the new boat down to display last week...:) ..until there's something better....

Why not further develop regional racing such as Glopra, Popra,
NJ offshore, etc. and bring back some of the sites that have been
successful in the past such as Ocean City, Buffalo, Hampton,
Va., etc. Four or five regions around the country with limted conflicting dates. The major organizations could schedule races in conjunction with some of these regional races. This would be
less expensive and less time consuming and might bring some
teams back to racing. Then have nationals and worlds by
invitation to the most active and successful teams.
Not going to happen but my 02 worth.

raynman,

our OPA races are run in conjunction with NJ Offshore (I'm on the Race Committee for NJO)..and expanding would be nice if we can get it worked out....Ocean City would be great as an example...

we'll see what happens over the fall/winter meetings....

:cool:

Question to all of you! If there was no entry fee and registration fee and the race was in your back yard how many of you would actualy race your boats??? My guess is not many at all.If you would what class would you run in?
Randy

Randy,

I'd have to agree with you here...we were suprised that more local boats didn't come out this year...though as I said racing isn't cheap, the poker runs aren't exactly free either...

Guess it comes down to what you want to do...personally I enjoy 'em both....

:cool:

I like to POKER every once in a while,
but only if she don't RUN...

(insert rimshot here)

In Clevland there was more nice hardware in the poker run than you could imagane.ANY of those boats could have raced in P class and most likely in P-3 or better.But they dont because? I dont know.Why have a 100 mph boat and only go 100mph for 1-2 miles when its built to go for many miles? Dont even tell me its the $$$$ thing.If you want the best thrill in your boat,race it a couple of times.If you need help or questions write me.If im way off base Im sorry.
Randy

Randy, now your touching on a whole different subject.

There must be a perception of the cost or of being hooked for the long run. You know kinda like, Don't inhale that joint or you'll be shooting heroin next week. Or local races are for the guy who want to race once or twice a year. Out of all the local hot rods, we only got 5 boats for our ProAm races so we stopped it.

The 5 race OPA circuit is/was 5 regional race. 3 in NJ, one in NC and one in NYC. This was the brainchild of Kurt Burger, the head of OPA. We (NJOffshore) are the club that brings out the volunteers to make it happen, only for the three NJ races.

If someone on the west coast wanted to start a division of SBI, I'm sure John would listen as would Michael. All it takes is a lot of time and a sponsor who is willing to put up about $50K per regional race and $100,000 per national race.

bodyshot,

What does SBI actually do for NJ Offshore races such as Pt.
Pleasant? Do they provide a sanction which allows you to get the
event insured or is there more to it? It seems like if regional
racing was strong enough it could operate without a national
organization and be just as good for the racers. Will you post
a meeting time and place. We have been laid up all summer
but are hoping to get back into racing next year.

raynman

I'll let Ron P explain that one.....or contact OPA......

Raynman, NJ Offshore is a local not for profit club that produces offshore races with however has a deal and a sponsor to race in Point Pleasant NJ. Years ago, it was APBA, then US Offshore and most recently SBI. OPA is the NE divison of SBI. This year was the last year of a three year contract with SBI. Next year is up for grabs.

The Santioning body brings the boats. The rest we can do on our own.

Racers like to run a national or divisional series of races in order to accumulate points toward a year end trophy. The 5 race OPA NE series was designed for guys like Marty and Vinny. Other local guys like Wazzup raced in every SBI National race AND our Divisional races. The guys like Randy in Typhoon pay the additional sanctioning fees and join both groups so they can run were ever they want...and usually kick ass.

Make sure you join the mailing list at www.njoffshore.com and I'll keep you informed as to what is in store for racing at the Joisy Shore in 2003.

I think they do have a yearly meeting to set race dates so they DO conflict. Seems like a chess game to me and a waste of energy. Energy that could be used to promote their own vision of what Offshore racing should be. If you really beleive in what you are doing, you shouldn't have to look in the rear view mirror to see what the other guys are doing. One step forward and two steps back. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.:confused: :confused: Am I the only one that "seas" it this way?

I've promised to stay out of the political issues for a while, but I will respond to the question about Races versus Poker Runs, and why the latter are so much more popular.

A race is MUCH more destructive to a boat and engines than a Poker Run. Most boaters have no idea how focused and immediate real race conditions are compared to Poker Runs. In addition even the fast boats "cruise" at a speed that the drivers feel comfortable in. There are , of course, exceptions but most Poker Run entrants are not prepared to lay it all out for 100 miles in any conditions they may encounter. Exploding microwave ovens and pottis flying about the cabin are generally not desireable to weekend warriors. In addition, in a Poker Run, you don't need safety cockpits, oxygen, helmets, Life Jackets, and five point harnesses. (All of which should be utilized in boats like My Way, Tom Cat, Jet Set, Sorcerer, etc).

Finally, the skill level in the fast racing classes is well above your typical high performance boaters. Johnny Tomlinson, Joey Imprescia, Jerry Gilbreath, et al are VERY talented people, as witnessed by the laps they put on other racers in similar equipment. These guys have spent decades at speeds and in equipment that most boaters have, at best, a few hours in by comparison. Not a knock on the Poker Run honchos but a simple reality check........ There's a reason why JT throttles the "world's Fastest pleasure boat".

From a financial standpoint racing costs include travel, crew expenses, testing, rebuilds, mandated "obsolesence", and ultra light (Short lived) components. And, while the "P" and Factory classes are designed to limit these costs, one really shouldn't use these boats for normal pleasure use between races.

All in all racing is a whole different animal when compared to Poker Runs........ and lately....... Poker Runs seem like a lot more fun.

T2x

Well said TX2.

Many "hot dogs" love to race between short stints, but when temped to an actual all-out race for 45 miles, they start mentally counting all the repairs they will be doing the next two weeks (or longer). Poker Runs allow the boats to run at a little less than full bore which significantly extends the life of the components.

Kent

What a concept...
 

Boatracing for people who don't like to work on boats.

Lemme see...we race the thing for an hour at a time,
and work on it a couplea hundred.

And you mean to tell me there's folks having more fun than I am?

I prefer the flying toilets and exploding microwaves.

If ya could just find a way to film action like that,
NASCAR would haveta look out...

I can see it now, strapped to the bidet
with a magic chef in his lap,
mounted on a catapult.
Helmet and firesuit mandatory...

APBA's new S-class.

Is the flying bidet class outboard powered or stern driven?

T2x

I suppose...
 

It'd haveta be GAS TURBINE powered,
whatever the drive system...
maybe onea those russian magnetic drives, perhaps?

We could get Beano to sponsor the series,
and Anusol to sponsor the vehicles.

Wouldn't need a toolbox anymore,
just a mop, bucket and some T.P.

And no more engine certification...
altho one sanctioning body
might open a Mexican restaraunt,
and insist the competitors all eat there exclusively.

Potti racing??? Now your on to something big!

wow my first thread and 32 replies. i appriciate everybodys response. i kinda knew it was a losing battle,like world peace. i say if it was a perfect world we'd all be on the beach or boat 24/7/365 drinking our favoriate drink. i think all anyone wants is to race and have fun. hopefully it will work out, i"m off to canada to do a poker run. t2x you made the right answer some people wouldnt like to race wide open for a hour doesn"t suit everybody.i just like to sea the old days i heard about so much.
good luck in texas
good luck in canada
good luck in the shoot out
good luck in the scope run

what a weekend for boating!!!!

SEA YA

Well I guess we have ALL grown up (maybe just FED UP) But in the old board days, this was the kind of thread that lead us down the road to having to register before posting. It's nice to know we can all agree to disagree without personal attacks.:D :cool:

WELL said gmhdfan.:)

enjoy the run Scott! :cool: