I have posted this on many sites recently and was told that i should put it on the racing section since many racers only read this part of the site

I do belive givin everything i have written here this could actualy help the racing scene not harm it

I have put on my kevelar underwear so go ahead and fire away!!! But please read with an open mind

Here it goes


Well gang it is time for a change and this is my personal rant on the subject

First off, some background for those that don’t know me.
My name is Marc Blondin and I along with Bob Luellen operating under the name of PRO LLC (Poker Runs Offshore) promoted and produced Smoke On The Water Poker Run In Grand Haven Michigan 2001 through 2006
I also along with my wife Cherie, produced two boat races a few years ago in Grand Haven. (2001 and 2002) I was past Vice President of LAMORA (Lake Michigan Offshore Racing Association) which was an organization my wife started to produce boat races. My wife was not only a race producer, and President of LAMORA, but was the Risk Manager for the APBA (Great Lakes Silver Cup Series)

I have also owned many offshore boats over the years - 13’Checkmate, 19’Sanger (more rocket than offshore) Welcraft Scarabs (21” and 38’) 43’Black Thunder, 38’Cigarette, 16’ Donzi and couple of smaller row boats and zodiacs

I started attending offshore races back in the 80’s and started participating in Poker Runs in the 90s
Back in those days my 38’ Scarab KV was very much middle of the pack if not closer toward the front at 70 MPH. The few big boys that attended were running around the 100 MPH.
At that time the big boys were boats like Reggie Fountain’s Ohio Steel, the Scarab called Smoking Joe’s, a few Skaters were running back then, and a 48’ Ocean express with Monster motors was going 115 MPH

I feel my credentials give me some well informed insight into offering my opinion on this subject. To that end I offer the following:

It was the first part of the year 2000, boat racing was seeing great popularity again.

Not since the days of Don Johnson, Chuck Norris, Bruce Jenner getting the sport great exposure through there celebrity had our sport seen such an insurgence of popularity and participation

F1 and F2 and F3 had a ton of boats in its classes, and the big boys turned out in mass to race there Super Cats and Super V’s as well
TV coverage wasn’t up to other sports standards, but was still on a major channel and provided decent coverage to the enthusiast in our sport
Racing grew and many offshore fans came to Key West to watch the worlds. All sizes of offshore boats were participating in the Miami to Key West Poker run, amongst many other events across the country

Later, in the first part of this decade, things started to change, in both racing and Poker Runs


RACING

1) Fighting amongst the APBA Offshore and SBI increased. (eventually they became one in the same).OSS became another place to spread out the racing fleet. Rules and equipment were different between each group, and no one wanted to play nice. The intentions were good, and the people involved were committed, but these groups are getting smaller every year because no one can get there collective act together to run as one or two sanctioning groups
2) F-1, F-2, and F-3 (known as factory class racing) disappeared from the race circuit and has never returned in any reasonable fashion
3) Television coverage all but disappeared from the landscape
4) Many teams dropped out of racing and did more poker runs (Sponsorships and manufacturers followed)
5) Later on OPA starts yet another group, more grass roots based, to help encourage more to enter the racing circuit
6) John Haggin (Team GEICO) adds his own money, commitment, and enthusiasm to the sport to try to keep it afloat

Poker Runs

1) Poker runs got bigger and more popular. We went from having a few Premier events and a few small runs, to events being staged all over the country.
2) More events started to include charities (SOTW was one of the first to start doing this) and the fun factor increased without politics and in fighting (prize money was good to)
3) Boats started to get bigger and faster at the events in a short few years. Even a few full out race boats started showing up at Poker Runs (not terribly safe without the proper safety personnel to extract them from a canopied boat if an accident had occurred)
4) Speeds started to increase and safety support was fighting to keep up
5) BOATS GOT FASTER!! Boats in Poker Runs started to go 150 MPH plus, and many were now faster than most race boats
6) Many events were not making mandatory the wearing of life jackets (fortunately this has changed)
7) Some of the egos from boat racing started to spill over into poker runs
8) Guys (and girls) with big check books, that didn’t want to be told how, or where, to run their boats (they didn’t want to go racing) came to Poker runs to let it all hang out and do some showing off
9) I believe the defining moment that gave us all pause happened at our event (SOTW) in 2005, when a 42 Outerlimits flipped over and the two rear seat passengers died in a violent crash
10) More accidents started to occur such as the one that happened at the Texoma Poker Run that claimed the lives of 5 people
11) Other accidents started to happen, some publicized, some not. (I recall one in California that involved a few boats at one time but did not get as much exposure without any fatalities)

12) Safety became a larger part of the conversations amongst Poker Run Promoters and meeting were held in Miami to try to make the events runs safer
13) Lawsuits started to surface from the accidents at these events (some are ongoing as I write this)
14) Kevin Seller’s dies in an accident at the Cumberland Poker run 2008 in his boat known as Pammy
15) TIME FOR CHANGE

I have for years said a Poker Run was more fun, and less politics, and that was the reason they were so popular, and well attended. Racing had become fragmented, and no longer fun or competitive.
I also commented often that no one can understand a boat race with so many changes and so many classes, (It is not fan friendly) Some times the guy that took first place in his class, and gets a checkered flag and a parade lap, was also the same guy that came in last in his class. (Only in boat racing can you get a winning flag for being the only one to race in your class) Racing rules changed like the weather changes in Michigan, and a new organization pops up every few years.

Well gang THE PARTY IS OVER! We can no longer ignore the fact that running Poker Runs MUST change or they will be gone for good. And racing needs to GET IT”S ACT TOGETGER or it will continue its cycle of mediocrity (even skateboarders get more exposure)

Maybe this will put the street racer on the race course where he should be, and the pleasure Poker Runner will be more content to run in an event that has a speed limit. It is by the way, a pleasure run, not a race.

It is my hope that two things will happen as we head toward the next decade

1) More poker runners with big fast boats will go racing – I think these guys could be the future of racing with there money and competitive attitude

2) More people will attend Poker Runs that actually have speed limit rules. Hopefully they will come for the fun, friends, and charity, not to race to the first card stop

I propose the following, not as set in stone guide lines, but offered up for discussion to spur on a thought process of change and stability in both type of events (Racing and Poker Runs)

Poker Runs

1) ALL poker runs should have a speed limit of 110 – The reason for 110 is that it seems most runners strive for the 100 mile mark. Today’s technology provides good speed with reasonable power in a newer boat. (or bigger power in an older boat) This number is realistic. And it allows most of the cats to run up on the cushion of air that sometimes doesn’t get packing well between the sponsons until close to 100 mph (Mostly for the bigger cats) It also may help those who “aren’t as fast” to feel less overcome by the boats that can travel over twice the speed of there rigs. I think it may actually help poke runs grow. The big boys can still come to Poker Run events (and should) but the pressure to be out front and push there boats beyond safe limits at an event will be gone, and the reason for attending will not be about being the fastest boat, but more about having fun and getting together with friends, and enthusiasts, and helping a charity. (Also they can show off there rigs and technology) The big fast boats will still be the bell of the ball, but now some of the other guys with more moderate boats will be able to run safely along with them and enjoy the sport, not the chase. If they want to air out there boats they can go out before or after the event, (they are going to anyway) but it will no longer be the responsibility of the promoters. This will be no different then going out on there own. Poker Runs are NOT RACING so there is no reason to go 150 MPH during the event. 110 is probably faster than most should run anyway

2) No canopies! In Poker Runs! (Unless you come with your own rescue team). There is a reason that helicopters with divers follow race boats. They are there to help extract those who go over. If something happens, and a boat goes over in a poker run, and someone is trapped in that boat with no safety team to help them, they can perish in the boat and the liability is in question (if they have a canopy and safety team they still have to stay under 110 MPH at a Poker Run)
3) A Pace boat is a must! It has to be capable of 110 MPH – This way they can make sure no one is going faster than the rules require and all participants MUST stay behind it
4) No waiting for everyone in the fleet to get ahead for a while and then chasing up to the front at over the 110 mph just to skirt the rules
5) Always wearing life jackets when on plane. NO EXCEPTIONS! (most already do this)
6) No alcohol until the boat is parked for the day (no card stops at bars)
7) Most important is that the promoters need to have the balls to walk up to MR or Mrs. ego and tell them to “go home” if they purposely skirt the rules (If they want to go fast and pass everyone take it to the race course)



Racing

1) Fewer classes NOT MORE!! – run the events like the car guys. Saturday run the entry boat classes (kind of like the Busch series in NASCAR) and on Sunday the premier classes of boats should run (or run early morning for entry classes and later afternoon on Sunday for the “premier class”)
2) Develop the F-1 and F-2 program once again with 525’s or 700’s
3) Classes for “Premier class boats” should be limited to F-1 and F2 Race (together with different colored front ends to identify the two classes.) The second race Super Cat and Super V with different color bows (If you have to have a Cat light and V Light as well, run them with the F class boats with a different color designation)

4) Help out the spectators! Make every boat that is running in its class sport a designation color for that class on the front five feet of the hull sides and bow of the boat (Yellow, Green, Blue, ect..) This way the spectators will know for example: that all the red front end boats are racing each other. The only time this will confuse the spectators is if there is only one boat in the class (this shouldn’t be allowed) then they will be wondering why their is only one boat on the race course with (insert color) on its front end

5) Understand that spectator friendly does not necessarily mean a close to shore course (it helps but is not mandatory) Back when Offshore was enjoying its most popularity, they ran far away from the crowds. The show was at the docks, at the banquets, at the start and the finish, and with the TV coverage. It surrounded the event as a whole, and oh by the way there was a race that day

We need to look to other types of events to understand it is as much the show that surrounds the race as it is the race itself;

• The Kentucky Derby (one week event, 3 minute race)
• Tour De France (all go by in a group for most part, and is all that spectators see) Major TV coverage and hype
• Iditarod dog sled race (covered on TV over an entire week and spectators just see them go by once and they stand in terrible weather conditions just to see them blow by once)

At Poker Runs it is all about what is at or near the docks, or what is going on in the host city. There are some spectators on the course, but it is all about what goes on that entire weekend not just the run. It is one reason they are so popular! When it comes to boat racing we need to understand that the event should have a race, not the race having an event. It should be about all facets of the event not just the race

I think all racing should be part of an entire weekend long event, with a poker run and other activities for the participants and the town to enjoy. St Clair is doing this quite well, and Key West has always done great with this

I think these ideas might help boat sales, as the builders will put in reasonable
Horsepower, and develop more boats for Poker Runs, and possibly provide a racing
version of the same boat to run in a F-series competition





Game over gang!!!!

We no longer can look away from this. If we don’t make changes the government will do it for us.

After the accident at SOTW I got phone calls from most every poker run promoter wanting to know how they could do a better job for themselves and the participants by learning from what happened at our event. I had many suggestions but they were based on continuing as normal with some minor modifications. We can no longer operate like we used to. Shame on me for not recognizing this sooner (My wife has been saying “there needs to be change” for years)

When the lawsuits started a year after the accident at SOTW, again my phone started ringing, this time the promoters wanted to know how to keep from being sued. My response was “You can be sued for anything it is just a matter of how much money you want to spend to defend what may be a totally false accusation”

The legal community and the insurance community is looking at what we are doing with a microscope so if you think it will take care of itself you are so wrong

Our event (SOTW) was sued for no other reason than for MONEY! It had nothing to do with what was done right or wrong, it was to provide paydays to not only the victim’s families, but to the lawyers. The law suits ended an event that was the single largest financial contributor to the Make A Wish of Michigan. It took away all the smiles from the kids that went on rides all day Friday, and took away a great weekend for all those that came to participate and for the spectators that came in large numbers to see the cool boats.

I have changed how I feel about these events today. I am still very committed to offshore boating both Poker Runs and Racing it is just that it has become very clear to me that the time for change is NOW!!! We need to get are arms around this, and get our arms around it FAST!!!!

We need to act NOW in order to preserve our favorite sport. It is time to work together to preserve our boating lifestyle

Make Racing less a mess and more professionally run.

And to make Poker Runs a leisure event based on great boats and good times. Relaxing and going for a fast boat ride (not an extreme boat ride) This should be a reason to get together with boating friends, not a reason to go faster than the next guy to a card stop

Rendezvous may also be a way to go Just a get together at the docks with a destination or two during the day. Not starts or finishes or even cards


I am sure this will not sit well with some of the faster boats but it is a must

We don’t invite people to a car rally so they can go 150 MPH down the highway we send them to the race track for that.

Let’s make the racing more user friendly yet regimented so the big guys can race with a fair playing field (It is NOT a Poker Run)

Let’s make Poker runs more about friends, charity, fun (Its NOT a Race)

Marc Blondin

One last thing

If the racing organizations could get there crap together to move forward
I would think this is a great time for you guys (and Girls) to get on the phone and call the "Big Guys" In Poker Runs and see what can be done to help them campaign at races instead of running fast at poker runs

one more thing ( I am sure there will be more )

I am willing to become a part of the solution if anyone cares

I would love to help bring racing to a higher level than it is today

I dont think race organizations should have open cockpit boats going over 100 mph either. Really not sure what to do with the 150 MPH open boats. They are a liability to both groups if run at full speed. I like your idea of 110 MPH max speed at poker runs as well. Friends getting killed just plain sucks!!
Maybe you havent been to a OSS race. It is run very professionally and has great safety. We would love to get more seed junkies in our sport. I am open to all suggestions.
MD

not picking on anyone, but with the fast open cats and vee's "not racing" to a card stop is like racing nascar in a convertable. racing is going to be hard for a couple years untill the economy picks up, the big 3 are already talking of pulling out of nascar even... but that gives a couple years to really think out and plan changes. the worse thing that can be done is to try and rush some kind of quick fix, it will just cause more chaos. any kind of change needs to really be thought out, faught out and completely figured out from ALL angles before it is implemented with clear rules AND a clear rational for each rule. There needs to be someone or small group who and only who make the rules, and they CAN'T be active racers...this elimantes any bias when someone says "thats the rule period." there needs to be a good year or so period that people know EXACTLY what is required performance and safety wise to race in there perspective class. you DONT grandfather safety, doing this will likely have the effect of someone not living long enough to become a grandfather. and my last rant, there has to be seperation between the top classes and the rest in order to get more peoople racing, thinking of nascar, the busch series was to get newer drivers up to the next level. having the top nascar drivers runningt busch to get track time for the next day just doesnt give the new guys a fair shake at winning and building confidence/skills

Yep been to OSS, been to SBI, been to APBA, (back in the day)been to OPA, and was part of the Silver Cup Series back in the day

I do come to this from some knowedable backround

I think it was Mike A (now there is a dirty word ) that started the "Canopy over 100 MPH" at the APBA races right near the end of his Reign

I have made the Busch Series comparison myself and i belive it is how it should work

I think new rules set up by a group of individuals that include safety officials, racers, and promoters (maybe some manufacturers ) should be put together. The rules have to be set in stone for 3 years The racers need to be part of the advisory board to the rules committee, not the creaters of it

Lets face it if it is promoted as an event and Oh by the way there is a race it might get some spectators and sponsors

The race itself should be only one component to the event It is how every other well grown sporting event is managed

Ok, I'll bite. Whats it going to take to get the poker run guys to race? Are there any Poker run guys that want to race but wont because they dont like the way things are. What is the main reasons?
MD

Good question and I am wondering if It has ever been asked before of the "Big Guys" in poker runs and actualy discussed not just dismissed by them or the racers

The only way i think you will get a good feel for it is a personal phone call, but maybe since this is a race thread Maybe that question should be posed on the general forum