Fastest lap records 2007 vs 1998
 

Boats have gotten faster over the years, but lap speed records have been similar over past 10 years.

Sarasota 2007 6.5 miles

1 Budweiser Select 120.6 Superboat Unlimited
113 Gieco 116.2 Turbine
Cintron 101.4 V unlimited
Reliable Carriers 95.1 Superboat

Bahamas 1998 10 miles

10 Big Thunder 129.1 Superboat Unlimited
Drambuie On Ice 138.8 Superboat
Alcone 138.8
Body Guard 104.0 Super Stock
Performance Marine 87.3 V limited { single }
Fountain F2-71 90.7 Manufacture 2

For complete list of SBI Speed Records and Champions
http://www.superboat.com/docs/2008%20Record%20Book.pdf

Faster for a moment doesn't really mean much fast for a lap is doing it.

Bud broke some of those world records last year in KW, i don't think it is updated yet. they average 118.9 for all 3 races and averaged over 120 on friday.

I think more than anything, it shows how much longer the laps used to be than today with the shorter courses and tighter (and more) turns...

let crc, bud, geico, etc on some of those old courses, and those records would all fall.

although the 147 lap by planetman is impressive....

I think one reason my be that the courses have gotten smaller...I remember when the Sarasota race was 13 miles long in 2001....and the Key West race was over 12 miles long in 2001...it seems today with 2 to 2 1/2 miles being the longest leg it sure dosn't give the big boys time to open it up and stay there....

Looking at the race coures today vice 10 years ago....its like NASCAR's short track racing to the Daytona tracks big differance in lap speeds...

But from a fans stand point its better...you don't ahve to wait every 3 to 4 minutes to see a boat go by.....

I have a different take. Like modern fighter jets have exceeded human limitations. Extreme boats are doing the same. A shoot out in a controlled situation is completely different from an offshore race course with its varying conditions. Boats apparently are not going to race at speeds faster than already reached. Faster boats do not mean faster or better racing in offshore.

I agree with the faster boats part might not be as exciting...because again the F1 and F2 days seem to be the show...but with 4 turbines coming out...it will be interesting to see how big of a show that will be....
I don't remember a lot of boats years ago doing 170+ on a streight away in a race like Geico is doing in some races....

But the one thing I like is the big water races....it takes out who has the fastest boats and levels the playing feild even with boats that are 6 + mph then others...the big water takes the speed and throws it out the window...and really puts the test on the driver and throttleman and how good they really work together....

Anybody know what the course record is for the real Key West course? I mean the one where you actually went to Sand Key and turned left.

I think it is way too difficult to have a lap record when the lap lengths keep changing. The difference in NASCAR is that the length of each track stays the same. Come to think of it, so do the conditions. Offshore racing, and I mean something other than a closed inshore course, has conditions that change second to second. All of the records listed on the SBI site were set after the format was changed to short course racing. I think the kilo record is a better judge of all out speed. I would love to see the newer 150+mph boats race in a long course true offshore race. I think given the chance, they would actually do very well. I also don't buy that the fans need to see every bit of a race course to stay interested. The heyday of the sport was back in the 80's and you saw each boat go by 2 or 3 times.

Here is a couple old record lists.

Attachment 358778

Attachment 358779

Attachment 358780

The previous year 1986 the course actually went around Sand Key.

I never saw a course record for Key West pre GPS days.

If you notice, those are all kilo and straightaway records. You just can't make any kind of comparison on a true offshore course 1 year to the next. You could have the winning open class boat average 40mph or 140mph on the same course. The difference would be conditions. Personally, I would consider the 40mph more of a record because those had to be some huge seas to battle through.

BTW, that map is awesome. That leg from 1 to 2 was the best.

The first is course average. The map from 86 goes around sand key and east much further. I just haven't scanned it yet.

Well thats some big numbers....but now with Bud Light doing 190+ and CRC and a few other over 170...thats 45 mph + faster...it is 22+ years later...but I think the limit is being reached....other then turbine...that 200 mph mark today is still tough to beat in a piston boat....and I don't know if Reiggies # will be beat in a Vee....a least I don't see any manufactures going after it....its been a few years since anyone has tried....but your right...its good for a speed run and a shoot out.....but in a true race....there lucky to see 130 in 4 to 5 footers.....

You keep bringing up F-1 and F-2, but they both fizzled out,when Canopied boats were becoming more popular, the accident filled 2003 Daytona race, pretty much sealed the fate of both F-1 and F-2 with the speeds they were going.

As for rough water being the equalizer, this is true to a degree, but most organizations will call a storm course, when the seas are real big, which IMO is the right thing to do. There has been numerous threads regarding how much is too big. And Most will agree, bumpy is fun, for both crew and spectators, rough is not only hard on equipment but the body as well, and from a safety standpoint the officials always lean towards the better safe than sorry side..

As for GEICO running fast yes they have, and there have been a few OH $hits from their onboards. Add to the fact they will have real time competition, not sure if they will hang it out or be a little more conservative. we will have to wait and see.

Yes, momentary speeds are up.

Lap speeds haven't changed much.

Pete...1st I don't thing the accident in 2003 is what fizzled out the F class....it was the changing of the engine packages...that even came from the F1 racers...you can say canopys are what killed F1...but SVL will never see the numbers we had in F1....Were the speeds getting to fast...when I get into F1 they were running 83...when F1 fell a part they were running 83 in race conditions...kilos...87 or so....in F2 yes ....I think running 95+ in F2 is to fast...but like any sport...it is easy to slow boats down when they get to fast....one was the 525's.....
Again....when Mike A had APBA...the class with the most excitement got the most air time....and F1 and F2 got the most air time......not the conopys....even in 2003 F1 had the most air time and we only had 7 boats in the class....and today If F1 still had the 500 engine pack and its was still affordable like it used to be....you would still see 7+ boats in the class....boats became outdated against the 525's....and they no longer came out....

There is nothing wrong with going to a storm course...but racing in 4 to 6 footer was not uncommon....and it never effected racers to come out and race.....I just think it is a real test for our sport when the driver and throttlemen have to drive and throttle the whole race..not just put down the throttle and let off a little in the turns....

Gino whats the big difference between 500"s and 525's?

Its the difference between bravo's and 6's that changes the initial expense. But The 6's are still cheaper in the end.

They tried every form to get F-1 going in SBI, and as valiant a try as it was no one went!

Jim...the differace was the guys that had the 500carb and the 500 efi did not have the money to buy a 525 and the sportmaster....and they also had to try to sell there 500's....that was the reality...guys can say it was because it was not safe....but this came from the F1 racers...but the 525's had a advatage....I ran both and I will say yes the 500's could not compete...

Canopies may not have changed F-1, but it certainly did F-2. Just as boats with the #6's helped bring SV to a close as we know it. Again the Power to weight ratio, would be good for the US, uniting the rules with P-1 rules would be good for the future.

Pete...I know they tried to keep the F1's going...but I'm telling you what the F1 racers were saying back then....so If you think its becasue of SVL came along then so be it...I'm just telling you when the engine pack started to change to the 525 thats when a lot of F1 racers felt it was not fair....its just my opinion and what the F1 racers said....

and I'm not saying F2 was the same...it was safer to be in a canopy at 100 mph...
and the #6 package helped out....but in the begining the # 6 was a dog on the SV's...
the realibilty was better....but most teams went with the XR...or ITS...but the rules in SV are much differant...SV's were staggered....and you have munufactures cutting decks down to nothing....and can change anyting on a SV....were in F2 and F1 you bought the same boat of the showroom floor....you did not have to have deep pockets or a in with a manufacture to run....if you bought a F1 fountain it 2002 was the same as the 1999 you were racing against....thats why I said I thought and its just my opionon that the Hymoligation rule was a good thing....it did not make 4 year old boat outdated to race....

Pete...I think if the power to ratio is the way to go....I think OSS is a great place to start with the class....becasue OPA is bracket..and SBI/APBA is spec....so if its the best way to go then OSS should take a shot at it....but a lot of racers I talked to with some older boats said they ran the numbers on there boats....and they would not be compeditive at all agaist the newer SV's.....but again...if thats the the way to go...then someone should make it a class..and see if anyone shows....

Well...I'm off to N.J.

Aligning boat racing thru out the world, will certainly benefit the future of the sport, And this is good place to start. P-class has its place as well, but looking at what is raced throughout the world, it is more in tune with spec type racing. with classes broke down by HP rating vice speed brackets.

Man How the phuck can u guys type so much !

Gino went to Ruth Chris:drink:

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

1996 Modified Class 101 In Key West
C.t. Peppers M-691
1996 WORLD CHAMPS

YES, BUT PEOPLE HAD THE OPTION TO UPGRADE THE 500 EFI TO 525 FOR A MINIMAL EXPENSE. WE DID IT FOR CATLITE IN THE OLD BOAT
VERY TRUE, I TALKED TO MIKE A. TO TRY TO MAKE IT WORK AND INNOVATION DID. AND OUR OLD BOAT IS STILL LEGAL IN CATLITE

Mike, I think the 525 #6 package is perfect for racing.

How dependable is it really? How many years of good service do you expect before any major repairs or repower? Share the real deal with everyone.

Does any one know how many 525 boats are out there?

Our Old Boat Ran 5 Years With 0 Overhaul.
The 07 Has 2 Seasons With Oil Changes. Period. That Is It. It Is A Great Package