2004 Race Season
 

Looking for a driver for next year,and possible more... if someone is interested in buying into to a F1 boat for next season.
Boat is perfect,and proven winner,and very very FAST.Kilo holder for 2003 at 87.685mph.I think with alittle work the boat still has somemore in her. Must have expereance and commit for the complete season. Definatley not the best ruff water boat but will hold it own,and in good conditions I think it is untouchable. It almost impossible to build the best of both so we've worked very hard first to be the fastest,and this last year to make some changes to be more agressive in the ruff.

Frank
Koolhand

OH!
 

:eek: :eek: :eek: !

Frank is a class act and the equipment is C-L-E-A-N as well as fast.

It's more fun in the cockpit than in front of the computer.

This would be a dream offer for someone with a little money and some big testosticles. SQ:D

Sound interesting for someone.....Frank, are you going to stay with SBI or do you have other plans?

Q Ball,
Have to see where APBA goes next year,I hear they and talk about 496,s. SBI works better for me with the Florida races and my work,but I'm open.

Frank
Koolhand

Guys:

Careful with that "496" ... I know, in the blue world, it stands for a rather mild mannered Merc engine. In the red world, 496 simply stands for 496 cubic inches. Even the HP3 is a 496 cid engine.

We'll hopefully know more on Friday afther te Factory Class meeting in St. Pete.

Right you are,but what I've heard is the Merc 496...
I heard there will be another meeting in St. Pete this weekend be interesting to hear the out-come.I dont think any dission will made for awhile yet,to many options and a major dission to be made.

Frank
Koolhand

Koolhand:


St. Pete is the meeting I referred to. Come & attend!

The Factory class racers have made their decision:

They want 1 engine, 1 drive, 1 weight.

APBA signalled that that is what they want also.

The one drive will be most likely a Bravo, with the Sportmaster requirement dropped.

The one minimum weight will most likely be in the 4500 - 4700 lbs range. Same minimum weight for all.

The one engine will be ... well, that's the only thing that is not clear yet. The racers want equal power for all boats and they think the HP525/HP3 are way too strong compared with the HP500. APBA is concerned about the races getting too fast. They want the power of a HP500, maybe even a bit less. It looks like it's going towards a 496 cubic inch engine with power comparable to, but slightly under the HP500. This does not sound like a stock Merc 496.

For proper planning for the 2004 season, factory racers need a decision not later than Orange Beach. APBA signalled that this is their target also.

Thats the way it started and it was the best years we ever had in F1 racing.they are still going to have to have a outdrive height,because some boat can run much highter X dim. then other,and that is a un-fare advantage. That was the start of all the problems between Fountain and APBA. That was the year Benny ran a 89.4mph Kilo.

Frank
Koolhand

Just my .02

Go with the HP500, in 2001 there was like 20 F1 boats and 15 F2 boats. I mean what were the f1's doing 80-82, even last year the Apba Kilo was 83 I think, and Frank has 87 with the Apba legal setup. The EFI's are still in productionand it worked b4 why not again. Most teams already have these motors so it would be the most cost effective way to go.

This is just my opinion and this thread is about Frank looking for a driver for next year, not another engine debate. This was only my opinion and it is like a butthole, everyone has one.

Lets get back to finding Frank a driver.

the X-dimension is a required height,and when you have to pull a boat to get it on plane to be able to run a kilo at your own factory,then other people figure somethings up....benny is a fast son of a pup,but even reggie got d'qued at that race runnin with his boy,for ventilating the step of an EFI boat!and lets not forget,bennys kilo boat got rolled back into the factory and the doors were closed and came back out a few hrs later and was able to get on plane by itself without drive spacers in place!you gotta love reggie,his boats would take the flag on the course,and loose it during inspections!

Al,

Thanks for all that great info. you've really shead some lite on things now,great positive in-put. So I guess the reason in ran 87-88 in my last kilo is the same reasons.
By the way the Kilo Benny set was in Sarasota,upps
HERE WE GO AGAIN...

Frank
Koolhand

hey, not *****in at cha, dont get your panties in a wad.....good job.....besides, you saved my butt in st. cloud two years ago..........I am definitly not *****in at you!

Trent,
At the last meeting which included Mercury Racing, we were told that Mercury Racing couldn't guarantee how long production of the HP500 would last, and didn't seem to want to use the HP500 for Factory class racing.
In fact, Mercury Racing wasn't too awful excited about doing anything with APBA Factory class racing that they were not already doing, which pretty much came down to the 525 or nothing.
I don't think we need to go into the Fountain fiasco again, but concerning Franks boat ...
If he can run an APBA legal 87mph, why doesn't he hold an APBA world kilo record?
If his boat is that fast, then I'm sure he won't have any problem finding a driver.

Thanks Gordo,

So from what you have seen you think Merc,and APBA are leaning toward the 525's for next year. Gordo I ran APBA two years ago and had a blast,really enjoy racing with some really great teams,and a great bounch of guys.My problem is the traveling with the APBA sites,I just cant take the kind of time off from my busssiness,witch really sucks but we have to make a living first. It will be interesting to see where APBA will go next year and the set up for the factory class. Who knows what next year will bring it would be great to race there again with all my old friends.

Frank
Koolhand

It looks like justabout nobody is leaning towards the HP525 anymore in F1. (Except for Mercury Racing.)

- Most of the racers think the HP525 is way too fast.
- APBA thinks that the whole F1 race is way too fast.
- Target power is something a tad less than the HP500
- Gordo gave a good characterization of what Merc said re HP500
- APBA would like to see Kilo runs no higher than 80
- As of this moment, reports of a 87mph run might seal the fate of the HP525 forever.

Disclosure statement: I own a HP525. Reports of its impending demise don't fill me with joy.

The Kilo run Frank did was with a 500 EFI

PS Awesome job Frank

Thanks Scott,

As always you are a gentlemen,thanks for the support.

Frank
Koolhand

Gordo,


Thank you for your insight, I was not obviously at that meeting and I am basing my information from the guys over at Merc in the Kissimmee/St Cloud/Lake X facilities. I guess they are misinformed also. They really are the the technical side so obviously they they deal with the marketing stuff. I apologize to you.


I can also attest that Frank wanted to run some APBA races this year, but the ones he wanted to run got either canceled on changed to another date, hence he was not able to take the time off of work(Bahamas, Labor Day Sarasota) He really does miss the teams on APBA and hopefully everything will be set in concrete next year and he will run the Fla races if not more.


And you are right, he shouldnt have a problem finding a driver, but drivers are a dime a dozen, good partners are hard to find.

Not exactly. As Bertel pointed out, Mercury RACING is leaning toward the 525 because that is the smallest power they offer with any future. The way they explained it, the HP500 is almost gone due to some ignition part that is supposedly no longer in production. Since Mercury Racing said they have nothing based on the 496 cubic inch motor, that leaves the 525, which cost more than some of the boats that are out there racing. The other problem is GM doesn't make the 502 block anymore, so where do these blocks come from?
On the other hand, I've heard some of the Factory racers talking about the 496, whether from Mother Mercury, GM Vortec, or Stewart-Stevenson. I've also heard whispers that the 496 seems to have the attention of APBA officials.
This is Purely speculation on my part, but between the blatant dis-interest shown by Mercury Racing, and the the obvious excitement and passion shown by the team owners and racing members of the APBA Factory Class teams, I can't see how anything other than the 496 platform wouldn't be an obvious choice.
As for the travel involved with APBA,
I hear ya there!
I guess the downside of being part of the big show is it certainly takes more commitment, time and investment. But when you look at what is at stake, and the rewards to be gained, it makes everything worth it.

At the Factory Class meeting in Lauderdale, Mercury RACING was asked what their solution is to the changed F1/F2 requirements. Their reiterated that Mercury's solution of choice is the HP525.

They were asked to make another recommendation, given the changed parameters (1+1+1, races too fast etc.) They did not react overly enthusiastic to this request.

Hush! If word gets around, F1 will be racing lawnmower engines next year.

Remember, galz & guyz:

The F1/F2 Meeting in St. Petersburg will now start 1 hour BEFORE the mandatory drivers meeting. Not after the drivers meeting as originally scheduled. Mark your Palm Pilots:

F1/F2 meeting: 1 engine, 1 drive, 1 weight
Friday, October 17th, 4pm, Vinoy Race HQ

a dime a dozen? Ouch

Drivers are not a dime a dozen- not one that you can get committed for a whole race season... Trust us, we are lucky this year with having Scott.

Al,

You are correct there,its not easy.You lucked out with Scott,not only is he a good guy,but he is a hell of a driver...

Frank
Koolhand

Seat still open guys..I've spoke to a few people but still havent made a final decission yet.If you are interested let talk,and see if it can work for both of us.

Frank
Koolhand

Guys I think you misconstrued me and I apologize. ie look at the F2 Pantera. Eric is an awesome driver and Jo is an awesome Throttleman, both national and world champions, but it didnt mesh due to different styles. Thats what I meant. Anyone can hopp into the drivers seat, but chemistry is the key.

It was great meeting you Al and Scott and I hope to see you guys again in the near future.

It was great meeting you too, hopefully we will see you more and let me know about the motor....

Al,

Are we going to see u in Deerfield in a few weeks..?

Frank
Koolhand