Why does OSS only have canopied boats in their Organization. I heard that it was because of Insurance Underwriting the events. If this is true how do the other Organizations have opend cockpit's?

If OSS would open itself up to other more Production Style BOATS aka "P" or "F" classes would this not be good for the SPORT? This would surely let more RACER'S cross over from Sanctioning Bodies. I would also think that it would bring more RACER'S to more events if some of the lower classes were alowed to participate. IF YOU HAVE MORE RACER'S WOULD YOU NOT HAVE MORE "SPECTARTORS' AND THE POSSABILITES OF MORE SPONSORSHIP.

Just a thought.

No it would just divide the fleet even further.

OSS has a business plan that only allows for canopy boats now. As for insurance reasons I have no idea nor do I care. 5 classes with 50 quality teams can put on one hell of a show. I also feel the canopy boats give you more of a stable group of racers. If you spend the money on a canopy boat you are committing to race it. None canopy boats come and go as people feel they had there fun and are killing there equipment. Knowing 95% of your members will show at each race is a big advantage for a sanctioning body. Very few canopy teams are no shows no matter what sanction they race in!
MD

It has nothing to do with insurance. It's all about marketability.

Marketability,
What better way to market your sport as to have more manufacture's participate with their products as they did a few years back. I'm talking about the "F" classes. That was some of the best competition out there. I'm sure that most of your spectator's would love to see their brand of boat compete with other boats of there caliber.

Marketability as in having a race that a TV audience can understand. Having a race with a single winner. OSS runs a race for each class, hence a simpler easy to follow format that might stand a chance of attracting a TV audience.

Leave the factory racing to APBA and SBI. You wouldn't want to dilute that into a third group anyhow.

OSS has a plan. Let's watch them execute it and see if they can make something grow.

The truth be told there was not a lot of manufacture teams out there. You had Formula,Warlock,Fountain and a few others. Most all teams were personally owned by an individual and the factory tried to give them the best incentives to buy there boat. Yes it was very exciting to race very even boats and to have large class counts. APBA is going to bring this back this year with new rules and I feel it is a great class to get into. Keep the dream alive!!!!
MD

Drag 'N' Ass,
Good question and Ron P is correct, it has nothing to do with insurance, it is just about the OSS's overall plan. We like to keep it simple and clearer for the spectators and we also feel very strongly about safety and we all know a canopy boat are safer. There is always going to be open cockpit boats, as there should be. I've raced them, you've race them, they are a great show and something that people associate with, I do agree. But, a full blown canopy raceboat, that is used for little more than racing, is COOL... It's just what the owners and members of OSS are choosing to support right now.
Have you been to an OSS race? April 22-24th, Biloxi, MS... Cya you there.

That'll happen whenever you're right.

Randy and Ben,
Very nice statements made by both! very positive info for the new season!!