i think the orginal idea was they (oss and the teams) don't have to add anything to do it, they just time them the way they time all the classes with lap times. maybe it keeps teams from gps watching too, i don't know. the teams that raced it in at loto were just local pleasure boaters who wanted to give it a try. they could easily add the gps's later if that is what is wanted, buy why mandate it from the start?

merging classes? have you seen OPA's and SBI's growing lists of classes lately? basically, nobody is gonna turn down a boat in these times right now...

Hi Walt, please go to this page and download the Pro/Am rules
http://www.offshoresuperseries.com/racers.cfm. They are still in draft form and we have until Jan 15th to adjust our rulebook. We also have the rules up for the new Power to Weight classes.

OSS is owned by the registered race teams. Those teams make up thier own rules, then OSS enforces them to the letter. If some teams want to register for the Pro/Am classes then you can dictate the way the rules work for your class.

Basically - Average lap speed - 65, 75, 85 and 95. No need for any equipment and no need to download GPS units after the race. It's all done through our scoring system. Plus you can't race by watching a GPS. Set your boat up right and the system will work.

Dave, as for unification. I've tried to work with SBI. It's clear to me now (after banging my head against the wall) that SBI doesn't want to work with OSS in any way shape or form. Period, the end.

Smitty and I talk from time to time about joint races but nothing meaningful yet. I'm still hopeful that we can find time to talk and put something together for the betterment of the sport. My number is 732 552 0669 if anyone wants to talk.

Clearwater Beach on the Gulf.

just curious, do you let the production boats go out and test. how does one set up for a average lap speed race.

this seems to me even more bias. one could figure out the time needed for one lap. blast around the course and just slow up at the finish line. or the bigger boats will just run WOT down the striaghts and baby it around the corners. it would be more like and enduro than a race?

are for having to buy equipment(gps) i don't know too many boat that don't have them.

Yes, of course the Pro-Am boats can test.

I would think you could figure out from when someone has raced before or in a similar boat, and use some common knowledge to figure out a rough lap speed on a given course. Of course when you throw in any sea conditions that will change things.

The Pro-Am format in OSS is so anyone can come out and race there boats if the meet the safety requirements. It is to get new blood into racing. We had 4 boats in LOTO , one of which is ready to now buy a raceboat.

I think the Pro-Am idea is more run what you brung ,than enduro. The local / outlaw class started that way. OSS isn't trying to take anyone elses ideas, just offering what many people have been asking for. People from Mi and the North east have a place to race, people in Fla have another, and outwest POPRA has them covered, and the people and fans and racers everywhere else have asked OSS to do this.

The figuring out the lap times is what happend in the P classes a few years ago, all of the guys would race the whole lap and all almost stop before the start finish line every lap.

I don't have a GPS in my 24' Skater........

The figuring out the lap times is what happend in the P classes a few years ago, all of the guys would race the whole lap and all almost stop before the start finish line every lap.

yes thats my point, all you now is a stop watch!

just thought that a top speed is better suited. this way any average boater can go run their boat. see how fast it goes. then jump in that specific class. kinda hard to say, hea what kinda of lap speed you guys running. and then assign them a class.

Skaterdave, I think it very easy to see a sand bager in this class format, pull that move in a race and you just graduated to the next class!!!How to figure out where a boat belongs is fairly simple max speed[gear ratio & prop pitch] and the distance of the race course, factor in the water conditions and you can pretty much place the first timer in the right class.

Thanks for the info Ryan,well be at Biloxi,Kenner,Orange beach races


Biloxi - March
Clearwater - April
Lake Cumberland - May
Sunny Isles Beach – June - with run to Bimini and back
Kenner – July - Al Copeland Invitational
Orange Beach - August - Invitational
LOTO – Sept
Worlds – Jupiter - October - Invitational

Ron who is promoting the event for Clearwater?
Mike

A new race producer. Wanna help? Send me your info and I'll pass it along. Seems like a lot of interest in this race site.