P Class reps
 

Friends,

In an effort to create rules we can all find a home in, it's imperative that the class reps be nominated as was discussed in the organizational meeting Bob and Pop held in Orlando with many of you earlier this year.

This is a new day, and your early and active input is part of the improvement process. The rulemaking in the new APBA are meant to flow from the racers to the organization for implementation. It's not a top down process with "Thou Shalts". However without input, there is litle choice but to make it otherwise.

We've already spoken about the flags and trophies (I think those rules are the same as they were since 2000, however, I think recognition was given even if only one boat raced.)

Looking at it from a host site perspective, in past seasons many of them ordered full compliments of trophies and flags, assuming 3 awards per class. In many cases, they were left with lots of extras and somewhat dismayed at the expense and even more cognitive of the turnout.

Kind of like telling your date you'll be there at 6 PM on Friday, and don't show up. Then calling a year later and asking when is dinner?

Sooooo, see you for breakfast in St. Cloud.

Steve David ;)

So I take it the three boat rule stands. MEL

Guess that's what it means.

And guess the blame ("kind of like telling your date you'll be there") is being put on the racers again.

P-class always has been treated like the poor relatives, always will.

Guess it's only fair to ask now:

Which classes had the required 3 boats signed up 30 days in advance?

Which classes did not? In which classes will racers get nothing?

83,Steve is taulking about getting our rep.nominations in so they can tell Mr.Bull an Mr.Poplin what the racers want.I think we just did that and let Mr David be our REP.Now if this is the best you can do,being the chief ref.and a very nice guy too,how much chance do you think an old grump like me would have.Rules are made to be changed,even if they were on the books since 1903.I thnk this is what we as racers are asking.I have been to a lot of races in the last 3 years and never seen that many trophies left over. MEl Team Vixen

Friends,

I appreciate your commitment, and apparently I failed to make clear my request:

#1. We need leaders from the various P classes to help design rules that YOU want. Mel, I appreciate what you said, but you folks that own equipment and race it, know what you need.

#2. If any P class has at least one other boat in your class, and you win, you're going to get a Trophy and or a Flag.

Let me take it one step further for St. Cloud: 3 boats in your P class and 50% of your entry fee will be returned as prize money.

Scorer 83: I don't know that we've met, my name is Steven David, and your name is:________? Please recommend solutions and you've got my 100% attention. Otherwise, with what limited time any of us has, is being devoted to those working in a positive direction. Join us in trying to move forward, there is plenty of room at the table.

Steve

Steve,

Just a clarification of the St Cloud deal, I think I know the answer, but I'll feel like an idiot if I dont ask. Does the 50% prize money apply to those on the one day equipment deal also?

Thank You in advance!

Trent Weyant
Xtreme Racing
P4-11 Driver
2004 APBA Member # 100154

It is very promising that mister Steve David is showing such honest commitment to make the positive changes we all know our sport needs, as a simple P class racer I had given up on APBA, maybe i shouldn't .
Steve, my name is Jim Capie , and its a pleasure to meet you. You and the rest of the new APBA have a tough crowd to please and if they (we?) are smart we will help and not hinder. And yes I admit I want that flag if I race one boat and win!!
Jim Capie JESSIE JAMES III P4-30 OPA

Trent, Mark and Jim: Thanks, your honesty and direct approach are refreshing!

Trent, yessir whether you're racing under a 1 day membership or been with us for 30 years, you're part of the family and the 50% prize money is applicable. We'd like the 1 day opportunity to give folks a chance to see if the new APBA is what we believe it to be. If it is, we hope you'll race often with us.

Jim, it's good to meet you and I sure appreciate putting a name to a boat. And you bet we'll get that flag for you! We'd be proud to have you racing with us.

Mark, Jim Poplin would definitely like to hear directly from any racer, with any of the organizations. With his time constraints, he's following the inquiries from the APBA Offshore website. Thus, if anyone has a question of Jim, please contact him thru the APBA site. I'll do whatever I can here on OSO and Jim will take care of you at the APBA site. Fair enough?

Thanks again guys,

Steve

Fellow P class racers,it looks like we will get our flags or trophies and more.We didnt get this by bashing APBA on here,we got it by representain.Get your nominations for your class reps inand we all win.Mr. Bull an Poplin have proven they are willing to listen.GIVE THEM A CHANCE Mel Team Vixen P4-16

Mel, very well spoken! Wish we could make St. Cloud but the boat won't be ready. Smitty and Sticks have to put a lot of time into her this year. We'll all see you soon. Steve, good words of wisdom and I'm happy to see you are going to take the P-class seriously as all the guy's(and Ladies) are a great group of people. My vote goes to Mel, Team Vixen for the P4 rep. To all be safe and have fun! Augie

my vote was for you augie!

P Class
 

What ever you all do could we please try to keep the rules the same for all the different San. bodies? Smitty

Augie,thank you,but i am the last man in the world you want for rep,always seem to say the wrong thing and get stompt on by someone who ego got in the way. MEL

Mel, when you speak the truth, from the gut and look into their eyes when you speak no one can say a word to ya. If they do, we got your back!.................I agree with Smitty on all the bodies having the same rules, keep it simple.......... Jim, how are you and Jess. Thanks for the vote but there are many more people qualified than I to rep. anything. My business and OPA's Racing limits us to what races we can attened and where, besides we only do a few APBA Races and it wouldn't be fair to the crews that run with them all season long. If it weren't for Smitty and Sticks of Wazzup Racing taking my truck and boat along with their's all season last year we would have only made a few out of state races. But Thanks for you vote of confidence but I think Mel from Team Vixen would give them hell. Augie

Augie,PLEASE my crew wont even let me near the offials at the races after that deal with Mike T. last year.......not being able to do St. Cloud leaves us with only 3 r aces this year and P4 needs better rep than that.By the way Agei i just had my webmaster open the 2004 Vixen sit.Take a look at Gambler. WWW.teamvixenracing.com MEL

Smitty,hope you nd sticks are well.You taulk rules.First,this is from me and nobody else.It seems you and Mr.C have been able to work together on the P class rules and race together,so why not give Mr. Bull a call and see what you come up with.If it was only P classes it would be a start. Mel

Mel, that is great, she's beautiful! Best of luck and please be safe. Say hi to Dave.

Hi Mel,

Is that Ken Doyle's 29 Phantom that he was selling? It looks great.

Mel, the new boat looks great

Thanks guys,She was my winter project.I think it was kens boat,I bought it from Will at Phantom.The boat was in St. Pete but they blew the eng.before i could watch it run very close.I had looked it over before the race and she was my kind of boat,but i was going to retire vixen and i thought he wanted to many $ anyway.Then about 3 months later Dave started about how he was going to miss racing,and me too.I wrote a figure down and told Dave if you can get it for this no.ill buy it.It took few calls but he got it done.So thats how we got it and its everthing i thought it would be. Mel

Welcome to the "Phantom family". As Ron will attest I'm sure - you're gonna have fun.:D :D

Mel,

The Phantom looks great!..Best of Luck to you!!

Marty

:cool:

Mel,
Is old "Vixen" for sale?

Who me???

All I can say is stay dry.:eek:

So you don't have to do this.

Re: P Class
 

Why don`t the OPA have the same rules as SBI and APBA with the P-5 class ??




Mike

what?:confused:

Keith I was thinkin the same thing...:D

Mike please clarify

Trent

Mike....WTF ???

Ron P,PLEASE tell me thats not a Phantom. Robert,no the old vixen is not for sale,have the last 4 years of my life in the old girl.Be like selling one of the family. MEL See you all in
Marathon.

OPA dosen`t allow twin motors in P-5 ,BUT SBI and APBA does.

Mel, don't you recognize Mr Technology, even under water? Yes its a Phantom and that's Will holding the flag. He was my teammate back in 1995.

Boy can you guys change a topic. Get back to rep's

Sorry Randy,felt good to give it a rest for a little bit.Had a long talk with Bob yesterday and Poplin a couple days ago.and they are dead serious on this rep thing.Bob said to me that he didnt want to be God and just dictate rules,he wants racer input.But if we dont get our noinations in they cant pick the reps for the classes. MEL

Mark,

It does seem that the various P classes have different issues, yet a common thread in terms of parity and equity. Because I don't know for certain, I'd rather wait till the general membership meeting next Saturday in St. Cloud and hear their input first.

Thanks for your questions Mark, look forward to meeting you in person.

Steve David

Yes, that was agreed on at the Jan 31 Orlando Meeting.:D

See you at the Mercury Plant!.

Looks like 2 P reps afterall, my bad.

So who do you guys want for P1-5? Start with who plans on being at all the races this year. Then who has been active for the last couple of years in P class and last who wants to be the rep.
I'm not even racing P class but don't want you guys to drop the ball on it. I feel its very important to have a class rep to here your ideas and then propose them to APBA. Its better to voice your opinion to the rep and as a group you make the call yourselves. Also by doing this APBA wont be blamed by unhappy people,you will only have yourselves to blame if there is a problem. Its not easy and you cant please everybody. Maybe after all this you will all see what tough decisions Mike A had to make ALL THE TIME.
Best of luck P class
MD

RandyI couldnt agree more.If we biow this chance its our own fault. Mel TEAM VIXEN.