The sanctioning bodys and Racers should hold a meeting in Key West . There should be 3-4 race`s for next year where all bodys race together. It should be done for the love of the sport.
Site`s like Key west, Sarasota , Orange Beach and North Carolina.

Mike

Mike,
I agree with a meeting in Key West among the racers and sanctioning bodies, but how about ONE national circut next year with 8 races with all the boats!There are just not enough boats to support three seperate circuts.In an ideal world, the 2005 rule book and at least a proposed schedule would be released in Key West.

AC, we tried really,really hard last year to save F1. The teams that were still racing went round and round on what each team wanted. We even tried to vote on a rep for the class and we couldn't even agree on that. Someone like B.Bull needs to step up and make the call NOW for next year. What teams are left don't really care what the decision is, JUST MAKE IT.
Q, I have no problem with the 496 package. My problem will be no parts or support from Merc.racing at the race site. And my guess is they might also help on some level with contingency money like they have in the past.

PS. Who is the man in charge of making such a decision in APBA on rules? And being that SBI will be running with APBA passably more in the future John C. should make the same changes as well.

I'd love to see a meeting of the heads of each sanctioning body in Key West. The question is,,,who sets it up and chair's the meeting?

Lets remember, baby steps are a good thing. If APBA and SBI can continue on the path that they've started, maybe everyone else can just join in whenever they feel ready. Forcing for profit businesses to join forces is not easy as people's livelyhoods are at stake.

Randy, from what I know, John C and Bob Bull have been working on getting the rules, a little more in line with each other for the worlds. Amazingly enough the two Sanc. Bodies have worked very well together. Sure there are some bumps in the road we can only hope for the best. As far as the factory classes, I really have to believe that if you can get even 4 or 5 F1 boats to agree on a package SBI and APBA will right the rule. Correct me if I am wrong, but the 525 package although pricy, would be the one of choice, and I believe merc also has a program to take some of the sting out of the purchase with a payback for each race you run. I hope I am not butting in here because I dont own a F1 boat, but the recent unified races have been awsome. Never mind the boat count, it's just great to hang with and meet all the other teams. Many new friendships were started this season. If I can help you to try and get the class up and going I am here for you. Why not start with a list of all the F boats that are still out there, and maybe take one more shot at a meeting of all involved. As for the APBA returning to it's premier status, really boils down to the racers. If you support it, it will grow. If you ignore it what can we expect. Who knows what next year will bring. Hopefully everyone will show in Key West with an open mind, and move into 2005 with the sports best interest at heart. Smitty

Mark, I believe he is reffering to the 1K per race mercury gives you for racing the 525 package

I invite all of you to call in on Tuesday and talk your ideas out, you have two hours to do it. Meetings do not have to wait until Key West. A lot of the work can be done now and Talkoffshore will provide the place for it to be in public and available for download to those that are not able to listen live. Ron has been on the last two shows............that is if we are still here in Tarpon Springs after this rain storm.

AC

This has been a big problem with racing for the last few seasons. If you look at where all the sanctioning bodies are with boat count right now, including the GLSCS we have lost all our F1 and F2 boat. THey accounted for 40% of our entries for four years. We have Formula as one of our Series sponsors they have lost all but one or two of their factory team. Scary to see what was drawn up as the entry level Pro class gone in 5 years. I agree with everyones input. AS a group we all need to sit down with the engine manufactures and put something on the table so we can all run by the same rules. I think Mercury is great but there are other engine manufactures out there like Volvo who's performance engine were built by Innovation in the past not sure now. think this would give the class some validity as Factory racing. Also only having one re-builder and service company is Not Acceptable. There needs to be at least one in every region. The accountability of cheating needs to be the responsibility of the racers and their service group. This is all an idea but it could work if everyone works together. Our group is willing to sit down with anyone in Key West to discuss the future of racing and what we can do to move forward.

Regards,

Andrew D. Bloom

GLSCS Chairman

I'm not really a Factory guy but run a few F1 races in a few different boats. I think it is a great starter class but I agree the 496 is a better motor slow the boats down. 70-75 would be a safe speed. The 496 is also much cheaper. I do believe in the 1-1-1 theory though it really makes sense. A guy doesn't want to go racing when he knows the competition has a big advantage. APBA really had a good thing going as late as early last year but for a number of reasons the focus was quickly lost. I was at the very first race of the LLC in San Diego a few years ago and the whole thing did seem like it was going to turn into something huge but even there people and promoters were left unhappy. It is very hard to pinpoint what it would take for BOAT RACING in general to blow up, it probably never will without there being able to charge fans and what not. You sure as hell don't see FOX or TNT paying millions for the TV rights. I know there are ALLOT of people out there trying to promote racing to the best of their ability, but allot of bridges have been blown to hell and it's awfully hard to go back and mend them. Luckily this is a sport of allot of wealth and I believe that there will always be people with enough heart and bank rolls to keep it going in some form. In a perfect world 2004 Key West WILL be the changing point and the powers that be will come to some type of resolution to make some compromises in 2005 to promote the betterment of the sport and not just one group. Sorry for rambling on but I am bored as hell at home all weekend due to Frances, not boating on Labor day really sucks.

The original 'E' Class (for entry level )was based on the 502/415HP production based engine.The class was designed for the "weekend warrior" who wanted to race his pleasure boat; and since many performance pleasure boats were already out there with this motor, it seemed like a great idea.Speeds were in the low 70mph range.I think the class was up to 8 or 9 boats and growing when it was discontinued and merged into P-Class.I guess it all depends on what is the definition of "Factory" racing?