amateur racing...
 

How does one get started in racing boats? Im talking about 25-30 offshore style vhulls. I know theres a few different racing circuits and all that.. but if someone with NO experience in a race environment wanted to put together a little backyard team and a raceboat where could we find the rules and specs on what classes we could run and everything.

where do we start? theres a ton of questions ive not even asked but maybe someone has a link on "how to get started in racing!" or something similar.. any help would be appreciated..

cd

Re: amateur racing...
 

www.oparacing.com

Once you start racing, you will be hooked!

Re: amateur racing...
 

Were do you Live?

Re: amateur racing...
 

on Grand Lake in Northeast Oklahoma..


thanks for the link, i read through the rules and got a pretty good idea of what i need now. Is there an area at these races for spectators? Id like to go to one or two and check it all out..

Re: amateur racing...
 

Come see us in Chattanooga, TN, 13-15 Oct 06. We're a small family team that's in our second year of racing. Backyard teams are welcomed. We even have one team in our class that literally started in their garage. Spectators are also welcomed in the pits and Chattanooga has a great spot on shore for the spectators. PM me if you can make Chattanooga and I'll put you on our guest list.

You can also check out SBI/APBA at www.superboat.com Our Manufacturer Production classes (P classes) are similar to OPA's. Who you race with may simply come down to what you can afford to do and how far you want to travel. But beware, you will get hooked!

Sean

Re: amateur racing...
 

Spectators are always welcome at all race sites.

Re: amateur racing...
 

This is great - I'm having flashbacks.

I got the racing bug in 1992. Went to races, learned as much as I could and had a great time. When I bought a 26' Thoroughbred/Velocity in 1994, I made up my mind that I was going to compete in the "Run What You Brung" race in Sarasota 2005. Absolutely had a blast - I SMILED FOR A WEEK.

After that, the racing fever came and went, and then peaked in 1997 - and I started searching for a raceboat. I bought a 30' Phantom and ran A-Class and SVL for three years, and had a blast. I still think that first race was the most fun of all. :D

Go check out OPA. Smitty will take care of you, make sure that you have fun, and compete safely. You can't ask for more than that. :D

Re: amateur racing...
 

thanks for all the support guys.. ive really got turned on to this idea over the last few hours.. seems like thats all ive done since i posted this is look at used boats! thats just what i need is another addicting hobby!

thanks for all the replies, i;ll let ya know how i come out on my research

Re: amateur racing...
 

Re: amateur racing...
 

what about insurance? if i mention to my insurance agent that i am considering racing, is he gonna flip out..? how does that work?

Re: amateur racing...
 

When your boat hits the water at a santioned racing event, your insurance is void until it's back on the trailer.

Re: amateur racing...
 

good thread for us want-a-bees

It seems confusing with all the racing organizations.
I guess where you live plays a role.
Can you enter which ever race you want assuming it's not some prequalified deal?
I would like to prepare my self with a goal in mind with out making to much of a commitment to hitting the road (traveling) to go racing.

Re: amateur racing...
 

It's really not too confusing once you determine which organization best meets your desires and goals for your team.

I recommend you prioritize your desires: do you want something within a day's tow, do you want TV coverage for your sponsors, how much can you afford on registration, entry fees, tow fuel, boat fuel, lodging, maintenance, etc. Bottom line, what organization best offers what you'd like to do?

Each organization operates a lttle differently, so do your research, review the rule books, race schedules, entry and registration fees and don't hesitate to ask any of us current racers anything. We're looking to build our sport, so the more the merrier and you'll find we're all willing to help the new guy out.

Same offer applies to you, if you can get over to Chattanooga 13-15 Oct, PM me and I'll put you on our guest list. Better yet, how about racing in Chattanooga? We had a couple rookies come out last year. Jim "Pop" Poplin puts on a great event for racers and race fans alike. Again PM me if you're interested.

Sean

Re: amateur racing...
 

Just raced my first race- with OPA! They make it fun! Its a big family, and they make it worth your while to bring out a boat and have some fun! Top notch organization, with honest values! Highly recommend O_P_A as your organization. Dont kill yourself with all the fears of it all, they are more then helpful with any questions you may have. Thank you OPA for all your help, my first race and it was in Ocean City it was a heck of a first race and I still brought home a 2nd place trophy. "you never know till you try" I know I am now HOOKED!!!!!!!

Hope this was helpful, and thaks OPA
JR.

Re: amateur racing...
 

One More thing, Take allota pictures of the boat before you put numbers on it for insurance purposes. lol

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Billy, I figured you were screwed. The smile on your face was priceless sunday night. Glad you enjoyed yourself. Thats what means the most. The racing is just a bonus. Smitty

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From the pics I saw, you guys are looking good! :cool:

http://www.lucidideefastboats.com/im...OC-MD_132_.JPG

Re: amateur racing...
 

After racing on other peoples boats on and off for years, I finally got my own boat on the race course, "Lock'd Up" P6-6, a 24' Sunsation. We ran the piss out of it for one lap but subcomed to the failure of a battery box which was not "through bolted" down.
I would HIGHLY reccomend racing with OPA. OPA offers everything from full blown offshore races, Point Pleasant, Ocean City, to calmer venues such as St. Claire and Cambridge Md. They also offer races in the Great Lake region and Destin Fl. Anyone who has never raced before should attend some of these events and you'll be hooked!!! Allthough P6 is the "entry level" class with boats under 26' and speeds to 70 mph, we didn't come close to 70 in Ocean City.
Billy Martin Jr., it was nice meeting you-I've got some great photos of your dad winning the Bennihana-I'll bring them to Cambridge.