F1 class
 

I know that there is some really good racing going on in F2 but what about F1? Is it mainly new racers or is it a really active class? Which hull seems to dominate in your opinion? Is a Vortec HP3 still legal in this class as an alternative to the HP500?

Re: F1 class
 

And is there a manufacturer that makes a capsule F1? Dont laugh.

Re: F1 class
 

Nobody knows?

Re: F1 class
 

You must be looking to race... WAY COOL!

Personally, I love the F-1 class, probably because in a few years I can probably afford to race that class - F-2 sounds great, But I'm a simple man, on a budget.

To my knowledge the HP500 is the only engine for F-1 these days, but I could be wrong.

I'll be counting my pennies, maybe in the next few years I'll have enough to race.

Re: F1 class
 

Kinda a dead class right now. Most of the F1 guys went up in class. The other ones went P class racing. Same for the F2 also. Seems most everyone stepped up to a canopy class. APBA LLC was the end of factory racing as we know it. But they were trying to change to the 525 because the 500 was being discontinued.

Re: F1 class
 

There was a moment in recent F1 history where 4 engines were allowed.
HP500 Carb, HP500 EFI, HP525 EFI, and the GM Vortec 525.
That is what killed the class.
Had the leadership kept the same concept (one engine) as was established at the onset of F1, It would still be a strong class today.

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i agree F1 and F2 were the best classes it was as close to what u could buy off the showroom floor,race on sunday buy on monday.its not really fun only watching 2 boats race in a class now.

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Yeah but I want to do it right and not just start knocking glass with the big boys y'know?

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Yet another testament to the quandry left behind, whats it gonna take to put the FUN back in the sport which is what it will take to help it gain popularity?

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If they used the HP525 and the HP3 that would be 2 engines to choose from and not be forced to use Merc. That would be a good thing for me. I would rather run the Vortec personally.

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You want to run in the Super Vee Lite class. One engine, merc 525 or Vortec and all boats have canopies. This is where most of the F1 teams have gone to. APBA, SBI and OSS all offer this class, but most of these boats run with OSS. See www.offshoresuperseries.com and look under OSS Vee Lite.

Re: F1 class
 

Thanks Ron, whats the hot hull at the moment?

Re: F1 class
 

SVL - Closed Canopy 29 Extreme
F1 - Open Canopy 29 Extreme

Dave

Re: F1 class
 

No doubt the Extreme hulls are fast. So are the Phantoms.
www.phantomboats.com

Re: F1 class
 

I would be very surprised to see them change to the 496, it isn't even close to a competiton grade engine (I own one, have blown 2, in one year). Just curious where you may have heard this???

Re: F1 class
 

Just a thought,

If they switch to the 496, that'll kinda ruin the "race on Sunday buy on Monday that Ken is talking about - and also what I like about it. Not that it makes for a bad boat, but if your spending that kinda $$$ on your boat, and racing - you can't be going out and getting beat on your local waterway (if your boat is not "race dedicated") by someone with a 500 or 525. IMHO that would kinda degrade the sport.

If I was racing, I wouldn't want to be "street racing" anyone down the river, but if I wasn't racing, and had a fast boat, saw a boat wearing F-1 numbers running at a good cruise, I have to admit I'd be tempted to challenge.

Re: F1 class
 

I hear ya Mike,the 496HO is what I call "pro-sumer" a not quite pro or race grade but good for a 'consumer' engine. This is the largest engine made in Stillwater OK and not included in the 'blue Motor' family of Mercury Racing. It also carries a year warranty which would complicate things for Merc because while these things are grenading all over the place they would have a hard time proving abuse even with the onboard tattletaling of the 555 Motorola ECM module. But if that is what APBA is seriously thinking about doing well then it would be par for the course IMO. OSS is looking more attractive anyhow the more I speak with you folks on the sidelines. Just had a nice conversation with Will Smith a lil while ago, he seems to think the Vee Lite class will be pretty hoppin next year.

Re: F1 class
 

The HP3 is a 496 motor.

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Just wondering, what broke on the motors?

Re: F1 class
 

You are right Pete. I think it's a 500 horse 496? :cool:

Re: F1 class
 

The block is the same, yes.

Re: F1 class
 

1st- pushrod through rocker
2nd- bad ecm and bad long block rebuild by Merc/Marine Max resulting in a new "on the pallett motor being sent out
3rd holding up but had a heat exchanger and crossover give out.
All in all I was down 3 months this season because of these things, no compensation or even an apology from Merc, I really don't agree with the contention they have 'great" customer service, at least not in my case. i didn't get any service until they knew I was serious about suing them and Marine Max, it shouldn't have to come to that to get some decent service.

BTW, my ecm's checked out with no abuse and a handful of over revs, the 3rd motor is the only one that has been in ocean water.

Mercruiser 496HO :blaster: Just not a good idea.

Re: F1 class
 

And to put us back on topic, I really like the looks of the Vee Lite class, good teams and some kick ass action, I am going to see if the new season is posted on OSS.

Re: F1 class
 

1. Did you loose the whole motor?

2. I could see where a bad ECM could melt a motor.

Re: F1 class
 

1st
2nd
3rd
all represent individual motors

Re: F1 class
 

I agree and disagree.
It wasn't the APBA leadership that wanted to change engines. GM wanted to introduce the Vortec into the class. APBA wouldn't because of the agreement with Mercury Racing. Problem was, Mercury Racing claimed they were going to stop production of the HP500, so APBA would have to accept the new 525 in the Factory classes. Since the HP500's would no longer be available, any new teams would have no way to buy new engines. As it happens, the Vortec HP3 was almost the same horsepower as the 525, so APBA allowed both in, but boats with these engines would have substantial weight penalties. It gets more detailed and more complicated from there, but this is where I agree with RLW that too many engine choices helped the decline of the class.
Last year, there was a meeting involving Factory class teams and Mercury Racing leaders. Since many of us paid full price for our engine/drive packages, promoted (by class rules) the "Mercury Racing" name on our boats and uniforms yet were allowed no kind of warranty, we were simply asking if we could get "a little something for the effort". Either a break on price, or some kind of warranty, maybe another engine package for Factory class so we could all go back to the same power.
They weren't interested.
A few weeks later at a meeting of APBA officials and Factory teams they discussed using a Mercruiser 496 Mag HO, or some spec built 496 with identical HP using dry exhaust. The final rating would be approx 470 horsepower. Ironically, this was the same HP that we all started out with when everyone ran carbed HP500's and ran in the low 80mph range. Every one at the meeting seemed to be all for it. Unfortunately a few weeks later, a small handfull decided they wanted Mercury racing engines, but still couldn't agree on which one. Some even wanted to stay with the HP500 which we can no longer get, even if it meant no new teams coming into the sport. So, in the end there was no changes whatsoever, all the engines are still allowed, and the class went downhill anyway. Again Ironically, some of those very teams left APBA and went to OSS, only to find they have no Factory class or any open cockpit boats at all. This may be one reason why there are so many old Factory 1 boats racing in APBA and SBI P-4.
I'm sure there will be some that agree, and some that will argue the point, but as much as I respect the guys on the Mercury Racing truck, it is my opinion that the upper brass of Mercury Racing is much of the reason why Factory class is in the situation it's in. I agree that Factory racing needs to go back to one motor/one drive. But, paying less than half for an engine that will last all season and still run close to 80mph sounds like a great deal to me no matter whose name is on the breather.

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OK back on topic. The Extreme has the upper hand I think because of all the R&D that went into the Vortex program. Nothing substitutes for set up time. I could only imagine how many hours Steve and Gary had in that boat with different set ups. The F1 & F2 boats were just going too fast (can't believe I just said that!) for safety. I always enjoyed factory racing because it was something you could relate with. Everyone has a favorite brand that they liked to see win. And this bought attention to the brand that would win. The average boater would look at a certain brand after seeing it win a race. But Factory race boats where nothing close to what the average boater could buy. But times have changed. I can remember a time when Factory racing to me was Apache's, Cig's, and Scarab's. Damm I must be getting old! :D :rolleyes: :cool:

Re: F1 class
 

So do I understand this right. You lost a whole motor because a rocker arm failed?

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Motor #1, pushrod through the rocker arm or something to that extent, I just break em' don't work on em but yeah it was something like that.

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Gordo,
Great explanation. I just didn't want to get into the details.
I was a huge fan of F-1. Especially with BJ and Kowalski running the Activators. Like it was mentioned, we all had our favorites. We could relate to the drivers and crews very easily.
It got very complicated towards the end. Sad to say the least but we still have the memories.
Now, about that "A" Class racing........................
Russ

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They call it a "Poker Run" now. :) :cool:

Re: F1 class
 

Thanks Russ.
I REALLY miss racing A class. Steve and Gary had the Corsa dialed in, and Ernie grew by leaps and bounds in becoming a world class driver. In fact, if Ernie had not retired from racing, I have no doubt we'd be out there whuppin up on the Great Lakes guys.
Of course, the Corsa is still sitting there just waiting for the right team...
See ya in Deerfield Beach!