Here we go again!!.........................

APBA = Highly structured racing, with as much emphasis as possible on strict technical regulations and enforcement. Trying to come as close as boat racing ever will to a semi-professional sport/spectacle.

SBI = More casual atmosphere. Bring what ya got, and they'll find a way to race it.

Bob G you know your stuff and are 100% correct. I am disappointed in Rich's little essay. Race where you want to - spend where you want to and you decide where you get the best return for your dollar - BH

My obversations.

APBA:
-Professional
-Excellent Competition
-Long History
-More Sponsors
-More Exposure
-Larger Fleets
-Smaller Courses, better viewing
-World Championship title actually means you are a world champion...UIM(Union Internationale Motonautique) Sanctioned and recognized Speed records and events.
-Key West, Baby!!! The undeniable best race.

SBI:
-An offshoot of APBA formed by disgruntled members, Don Johnson and Copeland. First Came OPT in '89, then SBI in '96...
-Run What'cha Brung
-More Horsepower, Faster boats
-Winner = last man running
-Good 'ole Boy mentality
-Come for a party, and oh ya, bring your boats.

From a viewers point? I been to both and loved both
But Baja daze seems close to my thoughts as well

How can you complain about hangin out drinkin in the sun with Bikini's around you while boats fast as hell fly by!

My first race I said to my friend "LIFE JUST CAN'T ANY BETTER THAN THIS"
His reply " SURE IT COULD, WE COULD BE OUT IN ONE OF THOSE BOATS! "

If not, be patient there'll be another one along every 5.2 years.

T2x

I thought it was pretty funny, myself...........

But then again....what/who do I know?

T2x

P.S. On second thought...I deleted it.......Because if it disappointed The Joker....... The "King of Diamonds" must have been mortified

======================
There were no more than 3 BIKINIS observed throughout the two days of the races at St Cloud (well one day racing anyway..) Don't really know what you call the Day they had a boat parade and car exhibits....

No APBA vs SBI cybermatch can be complete without mentioning good old (rest in peace) USORA.

I have been to a few APBA races and they are fun to watch. I went to my first SBI race at New Orleans last year. For me the ultra high horsepower supercharged big blocks they run in SBI were incredible. The exhaust note was just unreal when they came blowing by us 50 ft away at 150 mph. The APBA Supercats sound much tamer. It was true that the fastest two boats didnt finish either race the day I was there but it was great to watch. Its amazing to watch what 3000 hp can do to a 40 foot cat when they nail it comming out of a turn. The Supercats with the lower output engines just dont seem that impressive anymore. Im not saying that a Supercat is not fast. Its just not on the edge of control like the SBI boats are. There are several large cats around here with similar power to a Supercat but you only see the twin 1500 Sterling cats when SBI's in town.

To me racing is all about the equipment. The boats are the stars in my book. Racing is a great way to develop new technology that I can use later. Since APBA went to a "competition" rules model all the boats must run the same equipment and if somebody does wind up being faster the penalize them with weight. Makes for close racing but it kills development. This is why I hate Nascar. If the Chevys start to run a little faster they give the Fords a little more wing. When Dodge starts winning they let the others change the front end of the car to keep up. Where is the incentive to improve the performance if they just equalize your edge?

SBI is tops in my book. You have got to respect an organization whos top class is still unlimited.

Ron