"United We Race"...What Does It Mean?
08-28-2007 | 11:50 PM
#12
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,392
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From: racing capitol of the world
Hopefully after the end of the 2007 Offshore Powerboat Racing season and World Championships, 2008 will bring every one's vision of United We Race. The problem seems to be ego's and a couple of people having to much control and of the sport. APBA/SBIP seems to be controlling there own agenda and are not willing to bend a bite for the betterment of the entire sport. I have no interest in Offshore Powerboat Racing as an owner or racer, my interest is that of an Offshore Powerboat Race fan only and if you don't think that isn't important then that is a big mistake. Race fans are just as important as the owners, racers, vendors, promoters and sponsors. We are all dependant on each other and if you don't have everyone working together then everyone suffers as a whole. United We Race is the dream of all of us, whether you are a racer or race fan. I can tell you that some of the best Offshore Powerboat Racing I have ever seen is when OPA, the Jersey Boyz, OPS, OSS and POPRA raced together at the St. Clair River Classic this year. To me that is what United We Race means. I wish every race had the field of boats that I saw race and to do that APBA/SBIP must bury the hatch with OSS and vice-a-versa. Once that happens then it will truly be United We Race.
mike
08-29-2007 | 06:37 AM
#13
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,126
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From: L.I. N.Y. Boca Fla.
I went to Key west a few years back as a fan and not a racer, due to our boat not being finished. I still had a great time and saw every race entity together. From the outside it was the most spectacular event I ever attended, as I got a glimpse of what was going on, on the inside it was disappointing. Because I knew when I left there it was not likely to happen again. Things have a way of working themselves out though, and with the most recent occurances in offshore things are looking great. Think about this though, when we went there we had no particular allegence to any group, after meeting and talking to Smitty, Anthony, Augie, Val, Kevin and the Dukes
we wound up with the OPA and the Jersey Boyz, although they were all busy getting there boats in and set up, they still had time to talk and laugh with us, no ego's, no attitudes just boat racing. "United We Race" Louie the "Preacher?" nah lol the "Rigger"
we wound up with the OPA and the Jersey Boyz, although they were all busy getting there boats in and set up, they still had time to talk and laugh with us, no ego's, no attitudes just boat racing. "United We Race" Louie the "Preacher?" nah lol the "Rigger"
08-29-2007 | 08:22 AM
#15
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,126
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From: L.I. N.Y. Boca Fla.
I'll bring a couple back from Point Pleasent, thanks for your support and generousity. Next year is already booked as per the Mayor and Fire Chief, can't wait lol, Louie
08-29-2007 | 02:11 PM
#17
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From: Prospect, KY
[/QUOTE]
Ron,
I wasn't aware that you where the one who coined the phrase...I think you are definitely on the right track.
Isn't about time you, Ray, Smitty, and John C. got together and put this slogan into action?
When was the last time everyone had a meeting...or a conference call...or for that matter, even spoken to each other? I know Smitty and John aren't afraid to pick up the phone and talk to each other...how about you?
No one expects the world to change overnight. Buy hey, if the heads of the three sanctioning bodies aren't even speaking to one another, how do you guys, much less the rest of the Offshore community, expect to move forward with what is obviously the will of the Racers and Fans.
I'll go as far as setting things up to make this easy on everyone. I'll set up a conference call for 7:30 PM this Thursday evening, August 30, 2008. I'll send the access code to join the conference call to you, Smitty, Ray, and John C. Only the four of you will receive the code. You guys can talk, and hopefully find some common ground.
What's that saying....Carpe diem.....seize the day!
Originally Posted by Ron P
Ken, for United We Race to work on all sides, people need to be able to sit down and talk with each other while having a true desire to work together for the betterment of the sport as a whole. This means that some individual agendas need to be compromised. Some people have adopted this attitude while others have not.
Originally Posted by Ron P
I've said it before. If the racers wanted to unite this sport under one banner, they could do it tommorow
Ron,
I wasn't aware that you where the one who coined the phrase...I think you are definitely on the right track.
Isn't about time you, Ray, Smitty, and John C. got together and put this slogan into action?
When was the last time everyone had a meeting...or a conference call...or for that matter, even spoken to each other? I know Smitty and John aren't afraid to pick up the phone and talk to each other...how about you?
No one expects the world to change overnight. Buy hey, if the heads of the three sanctioning bodies aren't even speaking to one another, how do you guys, much less the rest of the Offshore community, expect to move forward with what is obviously the will of the Racers and Fans.
I'll go as far as setting things up to make this easy on everyone. I'll set up a conference call for 7:30 PM this Thursday evening, August 30, 2008. I'll send the access code to join the conference call to you, Smitty, Ray, and John C. Only the four of you will receive the code. You guys can talk, and hopefully find some common ground.
What's that saying....Carpe diem.....seize the day!
Last edited by KenD; 08-29-2007 at 02:15 PM.
08-29-2007 | 02:11 PM
#18
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,955
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
Not exactly the right forum I suppose, but since everyone's talking about how it should be...
It's a damn shame that nobody wants to race on our ocean out here. It's a nice ocean. Lots of water. No manitees. It's warm outside most of the year and the water's nice and cold which makes the engines happy.
OK, I'm being a bit of a smart ass, but come on! We want offshore racing on the West Coast too!
And yes, I was at the Rum Run a few weeks ago. 3x as many race boats watching as racing. And I'm talking real race boats! 38' Larry Smiths, Flat Deck Cigs. Donzi ZRCs.
And real quick, as a fan I would like to thank the teams that did make the haul down/out. CRC, AMF and the local guys (Lavey, In The Red, Platinum). Damn shame we don't get to see more of it.
It's a damn shame that nobody wants to race on our ocean out here. It's a nice ocean. Lots of water. No manitees. It's warm outside most of the year and the water's nice and cold which makes the engines happy.
OK, I'm being a bit of a smart ass, but come on! We want offshore racing on the West Coast too!
And yes, I was at the Rum Run a few weeks ago. 3x as many race boats watching as racing. And I'm talking real race boats! 38' Larry Smiths, Flat Deck Cigs. Donzi ZRCs.
And real quick, as a fan I would like to thank the teams that did make the haul down/out. CRC, AMF and the local guys (Lavey, In The Red, Platinum). Damn shame we don't get to see more of it.
08-29-2007 | 03:00 PM
#19
Easily Distracted
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,942
Likes: 2
From: Bucyrus, Ohio
Not exactly the right forum I suppose, but since everyone's talking about how it should be...
It's a damn shame that nobody wants to race on our ocean out here. It's a nice ocean. Lots of water. No manitees. It's warm outside most of the year and the water's nice and cold which makes the engines happy.
It's a damn shame that nobody wants to race on our ocean out here. It's a nice ocean. Lots of water. No manitees. It's warm outside most of the year and the water's nice and cold which makes the engines happy.
Its not that we dont want to, its that we cant afford to. It would be great to have racers in the north and east, then racers in the south and racers in the west and those that could afford to do them all could do them all and then ... in November ... we all meet in KW for a true Americas title. I know that ideas not new .... it just makes the most sense.... at least to me ... but then again ... I like things simple
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