United????
 

Just got my Powerboat mag. Hagen what a great article they had on you and your vision of United we race. Its only been 5 weeks since the interview and the whole united thing went in the toilet. WHAT HAPPENED???????? OSS was under the impression you wanted joint races in 08 and now its not going to happen. Someone must be at fault for blowing another season. EVERYONE SAYS THEY WANT IT BUT NEVER GET IT. If you want it it could happen so please explain what has happened in the last 5 weeks since you have told the world you want united I am confused.
You have done more for more teams than anyone has ever done. I admire you and thank-you for all you do. Could someone preferably John explain to us all what the vision and goal is for the sport. When you say united we race is that just your team or is that a goal you want everyone to share in, If its everyone how do you plan on getting that done ? Is there a plan? Can you share it?
I know these are hard questions but as a racer I think its important to lay out your plan. If you lead us Im sure many will follow. You are a general but we need direction that is consistent.
I only dream of the days with 100 plus boats at most events.
MD

Good question Randy, you have won a race or two, and been in the sport long enough to ask these type of questions

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...PICT0058-1.jpg

Hey! A few of those are bowling throphies !!:D Great job Randy I think the only one close is Reggie himself. No one can say your not a dedicated racer, Louie

If I'm not mistaken that's not a third of his trophy's. Randy do you know how many races you have raced?

That pic was from 2002 I believe. I have started aprox. 125 start. Thanks for the credibility factor but I would still love to here the big plan from AMF
MD

Randy,
What you hiding in the camo case next to the window?
"A little friend" to get everyone to work together?

RICH

He's also got a diet coke advertizement in there too!

Randy

You forget what happen in Key west , when SBI invite everyone to come and race and all the OSS did was to fly there banner all over the place.

United we race starts when we all drop are colors and go racing.


Mike

I believe Everyone is welcome to race with OPA. We have a class that fits everything from a Garvey to Turbines. Come race with us! Great Guys, Great Sites, and Great Races!

PS Randy, I do believe you have earned the right to ask anything you want.

Randy, I think I'll let Haggin off the hook here. Haggin came to me with his United We Race plan.
For instance Ocean City. Between the OPA and The Pro Series. Most of the boats will already be there. To raise an additional 50K for an OSS race which will only bring in 8 -10 more boats makes no sense at all. If you want to UNITE, Pick a few races, join that Association and go race. It is not up to me or Haggin or Polli. If the teams want it, shut up and do it. Done with this topic. See everyone at the awards. Smitty

So 8 or 9 more boats wouldnt make the event that much better, Having OSS would have 7 or 8 SCL and 4 or 5 SVL in itself, " United We Race" :(

Ii would definitly make it better. But it is not cost effective. Why cant they just come and race like everyone else does. We are United.

What is Cost effective with boat racing??? It seems as long as some one is shovelling out the money it is "their way" once the cash stops, its back to square one.

And I agree maybe that isnt cost effective, but it will never be cost effective, unless all organizations find some common ground to bring it all together, its no secret you dont like OSS. And that is what it is, but many have taken big steps to bring everyone together. under this "United We Race" why not sit back down and hash these things out??? the only ones that ever lose out are the fans, and of course the towns that put up with such BS until they want nothing to do with it either. We are all mortal men and women, we wont last forever, why not start the year out on a good note, and forever be known as " The Guy that brought it all together"

That is a "Battle Cry" excuse I hear more and more around boat racing.

Those boats sure would make Class 4 and Class 1 awesome. Plus throw a couple of the Stock Outboards into Class 2, now that would be some great racing.

So Randy ... is Haggin the only one that can make this United We Race? I thought United We Race was the racers and teams racing united .... not the flags.

Pete, my own issues with OSS have been set aside a long time ago. When all that happened, they did me a favor. It only made me more determined to build the OPA. My job is to run the OPA for the OPA teams. Our intention is to continue to support our teams in an effort to grow our series. We watch the mistakes others make, learn and move forward. We never had any intentions of being anything more than a club. If we have progressed beyond that, it has only been as a result of the failures of others. Anyone can race with us if they choose. If they choose not, thats fine. Life is about choices. The sites have been thrilled with our races. More is not always better. I could probably explain all of this a little better if you were to call me 732 920 3945 Smitty

Not everyone wants to race in bracket classes with boats that are 10-20 miles out of there speed bracket.......

Ryan you really shouldnt take shots at the bracket racers. You are greatly out numbered. We would gladly put you in Class 2 with a bunch of old outdated Fountains. Do I hear PINKS.....I just looked at the lap times from Key West, we were pretty close.

Why can't there be a western region and a central region a northeast and a southeast. Then you can have division champs and then JUST ONE WOLD CHAMP. That is what I see as united we race. All following the same rules, if some sites would like to share with other divisions then do it. Almost like the NFL, Baseball and Basketball.



or am I just dreaming???????

One man, one organization, one group of racers cannot be the only ones to try and do the united. It will take all the racers sanctioning partys groups to come and feel free to hang whatever flag they want in the pits on their boats, and be welcomed to the sites with open arms. Sure OPA dosen't have a "spec" class, but if you really wanted to race you would jump into a class that is already there! As with the OPA racers doing when they goto another organization to race at. Why should a town put up double the money to have to race bodies come to play when one brings in a lower count that the other, which way do you think the townspeople will go? I would go for the largest draw for the bang that we(town) could draw. Also for the united to work you have to be your own leader not a follower of somebody elses plan to race when and where they want, we all grown ups and can make that executive decission on our own, for to become united that is what it will take some balls to cross the lines of the sntioned body that those are chearleaders of. My .02 cents for what its worth.

From a fans' perspective.... I hear alot of problem with doing a United race and that puzzles me. I understand that there are multiple orgs and different levels of competition but to be United it only takes one thing....Coming together!!!! Put aside all of the differences with prize purses, political BS, squabbling long enough to hook up your boat and drive to the 1st site and then and only then when everyone that truely wants a United enviroment is together, you will have achieved a United We Race event. For those whom choose not to attend then they should have no say so because by not showing up they are not showing any level of commitment. Yea sure it may cost you to get there, but the rewards of a Unified sport are priceless. Sorry if theis does not make a whole lot of sense and I understnd I do not know the internal workings of most orgs but the principal is simple. Choose to or Choose not. Thanks for your time, Race Fan

I am perplexed as to why the $50K "vig" is still necessary for the OSS loyalists to attend?.

Maybe Randy can shed some light on this.

Thank you.
Gregg Reichman

I wasn't taking a shot...just stating the fact that not everyone is intrested in Bracket racing. I've raced some P class races, it's not for me.

The $50,000.00 would be the OSS prize money.

That's cool. We already have 3 legal SS boats running in Ocean city. Bring yours I'll run the class. Same deal no entrance fee. Commit and I'll find the purse.

50 K is the purse
30K is for the staff
30k to run the race
plus rooms, cars, etc

Like I said, out of our league.

I bought Tag's old SS Cat - It's a little slow in flat water but is still competitive in the the big swells. I be happy to go out and run another class, I don't think I will be competitive with the new Skaters and DW but if you need another boat to help make a class count me in.

Why is it always the same people who complain about Offshore racing....We just came off a great year....and the Worlds were one of the biggest then in the last 4 years....

Its so funny how OSS has been slamming JC about charging all these fee's and it all coming down to money....and now its OSS that needs the money to come race with other Orgs....

ITS NOT FAIR TO THE OPA RACERS TO HAVE TO CUT OUT SOME OF THERE PRIZE MONEY BECASUE OSS WANT TO COME RACE NOW THAT OPA HAS SOMETHING GOOD GOING....

When OSS was formed they had set rules and ther vision of Offshore...with only canopy boats and in spec class racing and all the racers had to conform to it to race in there ORG....but now you don't have to obay the same rules of other Orgs....

Offshore is making great strives....and 08 will be even bigger....

Why dose the majority have to make any consetions....
OSS has the smallest boat count of any major Org right now...and the other Orgs are happy with they got...

its simple.....you want to race in OPA....SVL can race in Class 4....and the Cats can race with the Pro Series...

or if you want spec racing....go race in SVL in SBI.....

Its funny.....people only want United we race if they have it only there way....The way I see it....OSS has 0 leverage to say anything....all the other Orgs are content the way the United We Race is going and we all met up in Key West...every Org did...so if you wish to sit out...so be it...this ship is sailing with or without you....

Options....
1. OSS joins up with the Pro Series...and runs with them.
2. Join OPA and run bracket racing..
3. Run SBI/APBA and run spec Class
4. Do your own thing like you guys started and see where you end up...

Remember....some OSS members were just running there mouths when they had 35 boats....and OSS was the furture of Offshore racing....with all the so called big boats...
But now that its falling the last 2 years....its all the other Orgs that don't want to be renited...that just crapp....

the majority of racers are happy were offshore is going....some OPA racers will be making some trips to tangle with the SBI/APBA teams in April and May....and the Pro Series racing also....seems to me thats a pretty big United We Race campign....and Key West will be bigger then last year....the invatations were sent out to everyone for Key West....and OPA has done the same for 08....but becasue you can't dictate what you want....dose not make you right at all.....respect the Orgs that are offering you to come and join in....enough of a few racers who think they are the show...
You tried it your way and it did not work....what makes you think you will tell sucsesful Orgs what to do....

UNITED WE RACE IS IN FULL FORCE....EVERY RACE ORG IS INVOLVED FOR 2008 EXCEPT OSS with 10 to 13 boats.....John Haggin.....GREAT JOB ON GETTING US TOGETHER....HATS OFF... ONE MAN DID IT IN 2 YEARS VICE 30 MEN IN 4 YEAR...

So where is the "value" in that pricing. Why would any Sanctioning Body or Prometer pay that of the added boat count is less than 10?.

Gregg Reichman

That about sums it up Gino. I think you've cleared it up for those who don't get it.

We're not bracket racers either. So off to SBI we go. Anyone who wants to pull out their F1 boat, this is the time to do it. We're talking about running modified APBA 2003 rules. HP 500's, Carb, EFI or 525 with Bravos. A few of you guys probably still have the equipment. Some of you may still have sealed engines. Right now I see 4 to 5 F1's back in the water. Send Frank Sarro an email if your interested. He's the point man for all the details and is on OSO.


J

Craig.....exactly.....there is no benifit at all especaly when that money would have to come from the OPA race teams prize money...the same guys that have join into the OPA family and has made it this big so fast....its good to have a president that knows a class 6 team with no money is just as important then a million dollor team...

Jim...glad to see you back buddy....you already have 2 to 3 F1 boats now in SBI/APBA....it would be great to see you guys back and bring back a great class.....there are at least 5 or 6 additional F1 boats out there right now that could jump in....

As a race fan I have to agree. I was upbeat about the United We Race thing and have seen some great races in 2007 and was really looking forward to 2008. But after what I have read here today are things going back to where they were. I also know nothing about the inner workings of the org.s other then what I read here and what I have seen at some races. I really don't care what you call yourself OPA, OSS,SBIP/APBA,OPS and POPRA etc. you are all racers no matter what org you race in. Each and everyone of the org. must sit down together and work this out now before it starts to fall apart and everyone is back at square one again. Racers will get fed up and quite and so will the race fans. I'm not blaming any one person or org but you are all equally a vital part of the future of this sport. In other words it's future is now in each and everyone of your hands. Choose your next moves very carefully, there is a lot riding on it. No person is a god but one and it ain't any of you. Also from a spectator's view more boats are always better then less. It makes for much more excitement watching a large group of boats racing at once then a few boats.

You will never get all racers to race in one schedule.....more then 60% of the racers can not make the trips it would require to run one National schedule...to have 2 main Orgs like OPA most races up North and Mich area and SBI/APBA running mostly from N.C. and South is a good schedule....the big money teams like the Pre Series guys have the resorses to travel to any of these sites plus one World Championship, like they did last year....

Who cares what the Org is called....it makes no differance if one is call OPA and the other SBI/APBA....this year OPA and the Pro-Series ran under the SBI/APBA banner for a World Championship..its pretty simple....and if POPRA dose there Series out West and then joins in for the Worlds in K.W. its done......this is not rocket science.....

Have OPA and SBI/APBA....the Pro Series will suport both if wanted..and we all meet up in Key West under the SBI/APBA banner since it is there race site....

no org. only has 10 boats.... OSS ran last year with 20 or more canopied, spec class boats every race...

maybe they confused the numbers with some of the SBI races... they had several races with way less than 20 boats that included spec AND p class boats...

and as a fan, i have spent my money traveling and watching the "big boats" for years now... so that is just my opinion on what this fan wants to watch.

Sean....nobody is questioning your loyalty to OSS....but as some OSS racers have said in the past 25 boats in 12 class's is not racing....but even this year OSS has had 21 boats in 8 class's....that 2.5 boats per class.....so is that is racing...it was the OSS racers who have been putting down SBI/APBA for years on there boat count....and one boat racing against itself is not winning a race....well OSS had races with only one boat in it also...

The bottom line is OSS has been invited to join in both OPA and SBI/APBA to race....that is there choise....if they wish to continue with there own schedule....there is not a Org out here thats complaining if they do....some are even incuraging it....and if you as a fan are enjoying that type of racing you should let them know to continue the path there on....

so they should join a org that doesnt have classes to fit the boats that those guys have worked so hard on to test and make fast? or they should join the org that has even less boats per class at their races? or join the pro series that 3 or 4 boats show up at some races? slim pickens for the OSS guys it seems...

i am a fan of racing, the numbers or letters don't really matter to me... been to all of them. but don't down play what the OSS teams can bring to the table...

Not trying to play anything down, just trying to "back into" a dollar amount that represents "value" putting on a Promoters hat if you will and asking "what is this show really with to me" if I was a Promoter. The $50K should be justifiable, it should not just be a number that is pulled out of the air (or somewhere else). I am simply trying to anchor the number to something that makes sense.

Gregg Reichman

Sean....don't get me wrong.....I'm not telling anyone to do anything....I for one hope OSS continues with there Org and have there own races.....I'm just responding to what OSS wants OPA to do for them....OPA had the highest boat count per class then any other Org.....and its done by keeping the class down....OSS has gone from 4 to 8 class's in 3 year....that's there choise....but if Smity wants to keep his class's down and keep the boat count up.....that's what we all said Offshore needs...not more class's...he has 12 to 14 boat in both class 4 and 5 and 10 in Class 6......

So you mention they want to stay in Spec racing but don't want to race with the Pro Series guys....thats fine....then race with Sbi/APBA....there are 4 STOCK boats racing over there....Super Vees racing over there....SCL racing over there.....the OSS stock teams are already registered for SBI/APBA for 08....along with some of the SCL boats.....
It can't be that bad...becasue teams from OSS race the Worlds there.....

If they don't want to race with SBI/APBA....so be it ...then race with yourselves....OPA and SBI/APBA has open the door to OSS....but you don't also get to come there on your terms....I'm sure you can see that they are not being unreasonable.....you don't always get what you want....and thats how this all started with the boycot.....funny today...JC whos is still running his bussiness with SBI/APBA after 29 years...and now OPA has the biggest boat count in Offshore racing....and both are working together.....I'm not saying its the perfect relationship and I don't know of a lot of perfect bussness relationships.......but I do know they respect each other in what they are doing...

So tell me.....were is the problem in offshore....if there is even one...maybe everyone is happy and we can all race were we want in 08.....

It looks to me like everyone is set for the 08 season....OPA has there schedule out....SBI/APBA has there's....POPRA has theres and the Pro Series are alreay talking on were there going to race and OSS has theres..hell Smitty even offered to help OSS get a race site in Atlantic City...hows that for helping out other Orgs.....everyone is set for the 08 season....maybe we are just blowing this all out of proportion and all ORGS are happy were they are racing this year....

i understand your question, especially with the number of boats you were given... i don't think anybody should get a premium to show up, especially if its not their race site.. i was just pointing out accurate boat counts, some people actually believe what they read on here without actually looking things up.... i would like to think that somewhere there is a common ground that you can get bracket racers and the spec racers together once an awhile and let them run their boats the way they were intended. but it appears that is less and less the case all the time.