Ms. Gangway:

Now there's a name that brings back memories........... and very few if any OSO members will recognize it.

Ah the sweet sound of a blown Chrysler.....at about 170....with a wild eyed, boot wearing, boat building, laughing daredevil behind the wheel.

How am I doing so far?

T2x

Come to think of it........................That's a sport that might catch on.

T2x

I'll miss not being there this year and taking a swim out at Mallory Square.
As for the racing, I figured you were busy getting the boat ready so I wrote it for you.

T2x

IF IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES, THERE SWEET ONES YOUR PROBABLY RIGHT IN WHO I AM BUT PLEASE LET'S LEAVE MY IDENTITY OUT OF THIS BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GET STARTED ON THIS SUBJECT I DON'T THINK THIS BOARD WOULD UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU AND I COULD REMEMBER AND SOMETIMES I DON'T WANT TO BUT NOW THAT'S ANOTHER THREAD. I WISH SOMEONE WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT OFFSHORE RACING IS PRETTY MUCH STATUS QUO THROUGH THE YEARS. BRING BACK THE BARCARDI DAYS.

Maybe David Scott can explain his relationship with Barcardi. How much do they pay or is he a Barcadi distributor?

Your right MsGangway, all of this has been tried before and things haven't changed a bit. Just the names of the classes and the engine rules have changed, the game remains the same.

I think many, not all, of the big name boats are self sponsored by their own business. Unless that changes and real sponsors come in boat racing will just be an ego enhancer for those that can afford it.

here are the numbers from APBA 2002, minus Bahama's which was not posted on website.

Largest Super Cat field : 10 Cleveland
Largest field registered: 78 Marathon
Here are the averages over 7 races:
SUPER CAT : 5.4
SCLight: 3.7
SCLOB TR: 2.8
SCLOB TW: 0.28
Super Vee: 2.1
SVL II : 3.2
SVL I : 3.4
F-2 : 7.7
F-1 : 9.4
PX : 1.1
A : 1.8
P-1 : 1.4
P-2 : 1.0
P-3 : 2.4
P-4 : 2.7
P-5 : 4.0
One Design: 4.0

TOTAL per race avg: 56.1

I think with the numbers it gives a good look at areas that need improvement, the Factory classes are very strong, the One Design Program also shows promise for the individuals intrested in racing but dont have the deepest of pockets. One of the things i think would help is the advertising of the races, most dont know about them until that weekend or word of mouth. I live in jacksonville, and most people dont know about the race in Daytona. As for Sponsors, with the economy the way it is, it is a hard sell. Teams need to be in town early to try and set up even local hotel sponsorship, which is not a long term deal. It is obvious that postive leadership is needed for one. Set dates so you can at least try to set up some local sponsors.

Yes the classes may look strong, but they aren't nearly as strong as 2 or 3 years ago. When Eric Tredwell won the worlds F2 he was competing against 28 other boats.

Anyone have the numbers from 99, 00, 01?

In 1995 we built Mr Technology to compete in B class. Why? Because it was the most competitive class with the most boats. We raced in Key West that year against 27 other B class boats. Now that was racing.

Why would someone build a new boat to enter a class with only two or three other competitors.

Good work Pete, I can't believe there are 17 classes!!!! When the LLC took over, didn't they reduce the classes to 8?

You think those numbers look strong ????

Looks weak to me. Overall average of 56 boats is not bad but the competion numbers are WEAK.

POPBRA races probably average 20 boats

G