P- Class idenification ideas
 

APBA,SBI and OPA I have an idea for fans to identify differant classes in the same race. How about making the color back ground behind your number a different color for different classes.

Example
P-5 White background Black numbers
P-4 Yellow background Black numbers
P-3 Green background Black numbers
P-2 Orange background Black numbers
P-1 Red background Black numbers

Also at the end of each class at the finish line you could show the different color checkered flags to show the end of each classes laps.
Do you like this concept? I think it would do wonders for the fans to understand colors with letters and numbers. It might even make it easier for the score boats.
Sure would like some input from you all
Mad Dog

Randy...you have way too much time on your hands...

but i like your thinking.....

Just a thought, How about doing away with the whole P designation entirely and go back to a single letter format. A,B,C,D,E. Rename it Sportsman rather than Performance, thus aligning it with other major motorsports who have Pro classes and Sportsman classes. Back in the 80's this is the way it was designated by APBA. Why not go back to a method that has already existed and stop trying to reinvent the wheel.

That has possibilities also. Take one more number or letter out of the equation. If you only had a 3 digit designation you could make it bigger.
MD

OPA,APBA,SBI are you listening it would be easier if everyone did it so we could all race differant bodies.
MD

I'm with Dennis on this. Get rid of P1 - P5 and going back to A - E. It would be a lot easier to understand as a spectator and to score.

I agree with you guys....all the boats having P's on them is confusing to the fans and scorers.....some people think all the boats are in the same class!I agree with renaming these classes Sportsman A,B,C,D & E and using those single letter designations
.....the numbers could also be bigger making it easier for both the scorers and fans to read.And the PRO and SPORTSMAN terms are used in many other motorsports.

PRO CLASSES:
SUPER CAT
SUPER CAT LIGHT
SUPER VEE
SUPER VEE LIGHT
FACTORY 2
FACTORY 1


SPORTSMAN CLASSES:
P1....... SPORTSMAN E
P2....... SPORTSMAN D
P3........SPORTSMAN C
P4........SPORTSMAN B
P5........SPORTSMAN A

Just my opinion.

Sportsman A-E makes sense, then "F" becomes your Pro Series classes.
The more things change, the more they stay the same!
One more thought, I don't think the "P" classes should be run in conjunction with F1, or any other "Pro" classes. On the short courses, some of the traffic created by the "P" boats interfear with the 'Pro" boats. I don't think the sportsman should interfear with the Pros. What do you think Randy, other F1 guys?

Another potential problem is the PX and PV classes.....1 or 2 boats capable of 150+mph are not safe to be running around much, much slower boats particularly on the short courses.These classes, if run at all, should be run seperately or with the Super Cats and Super Vees.The best solution to this problem is to do away with PX and PV.....there are too few boats to support these classes anyway.

quote:
". I don't think the sportsman should interfear with the Pros. What do you think Randy, other F1 guys?"

With all due respect, Just because you can afford an F1 doesn't mean your a pro. Stick some of us Sportsman in an F1 and you'd be surprised.

Scott you are taking it the wrong way. Its not that we have any more talent than the P boats , its more of an issue of more boats getting in the way of a important race for points in a paying class.
I have to agree I don't like having to pass slower boats in turns and also being passed by larger boats and getting washed down. We work very hard for our position on the course and to lose ground because of someone thats not in your class really sucks. We are there to race F1 boats not everyone else.
PS you look like an idiot when you get passed by on TV and the other boat has 40 MPH on you and you have to explain he was in a different class.:p
Mad Dog

Waterboy... don't forget the little guys (One Design Class)

well said. It does sound weird that a boat that blew by a so called Pro boatlike it was anchored, is just a boat that costs twice as much, twice as loud, and much bigger,does not count and does not win anything. Good idea to run the Pro boats by themselves, we would not want the P boats getting in anyones way.

Mad Dog, whatever everyone else agrees on is fine with me! As for the Pros and" Sportsman", Bobby I don't understand. Who is considered a Pro and Sportsman, what separates them? Wins, amount of $$$$$$ put into engines,Number or letter on their boat, size,color,.....sponsors,speed?????or is it when you win a purse does that make you a Pro? How about photos in magazines? There are a lot of crews that put their hearts,souls and bank accounts into their boats and I feel they are ALL Pros one way or another! As for different starts,that's absurd.

When you explain it that way, OK, But until you get 15-20 F1 boats its not going to happen. If you have 5-10 boats racing by themselves, I think the average Joe would lose interest quickly.
I race P5 and almost everyone passes me.
I am not looking foward to Racing with the 200mph Callan boat in St Cloud, that scares the hell out of me. My 24 pantera at 70 mph is like a bump in the road for him. He can go right over me. look at his partner and say"did we hit something"
We also take racing seriously and aside from F1, I think the best, most hardfought racing is in P5 and P4.
The bottom line is, until a class grows large enough to have its own race, we are all together and if someone is out there for a joyride instead of serious race, they should anchor up in the spectator fleet

ScottB,Well said!

What is considered a "PRO" or "SPORTSMAN" class in most motorsports is determined by the sanctioning body, and what type of racing they want to promote.

In NASCAR, the top three series(classes) are Winston Cup,Busch and the Craftsman Trucks in that order.By focusing on these series, NASCAR has successfully developed a racing product that has attracted an ever growing gigantic fan base, thus attracting fans, media attention, sponsors and ultimately $$$$$$$ for the organization and the race teams.

In NHRA, its Top Fuel Dragster,Funny Car and Pro Stock.

There are many other series and SPORTSMAN classes offered by both sanctioning bodies that support the PRO classes, that the general public does not really know or care about.Other than your die hard race fans, how many people know what a NASCAR Modified or NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car is?The point is, would either NASCAR or NHRA be as successful as they are if they promoted all of there many classes equally?I dont think so.

I think APBA Offshore is headed in this direction.
Super Cats,Super Vees,F2 & F1.Give these classes the TV time, purse money and sponsor opportunities.The other classes, Outlaw, P-Class, Sportsman...whatever they are called....should be the support or feeder system.
In my opinion thats a good thing.

Randy...

i hate to get involved in this, but i need to voice my opinion.

I agree with you in one sense and that is that the "Pro Series" competitors have more to lose / gain in each race. While the P class competitors (in my view) are just as addicted/talented, they are more in it for the enjoyment and competition. Otherwise, they would buy an F-1 F-2 or SV 1 or SV2 boat and do the circuit. Some of us just dont have that luxury of time or money to be competitive in those classes. So we race P-class solely for the love of the sport and the excitement of being part of the action while competing with others in the same classes. As far as having separate races or starts, I disagree. You know better than anyone. You blow by some F-2 boats. Should they be in a different race?? No. So, as the rules state, slower boats stay to the inside while faster stay on the outside. everybody has the same conditions to deal with.

Generally F-1 speeds are right there with P-4 speeds. So just stay the hell away from us P-5 guys and you wont get hurt..

I still love ya ...dont take it personal

So much for faster boats to the outside..
photo coutesy of Mike Merola
:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Didn't mean to tic anyone off about Pro vs P (sportsman) classes. After the Daytona race last year, I heard alot of feedback about the F1 and A boats having to fight to get around the P boats.
Although the slower boats are supposed to stay to the inside, the course is designed with a "dog leg". This dog leg presents a problem because there is not an "inside position" on that portion of the course, causing boats to cross each other for 1/2 the course.
Augie, as far as seperate starts "being absurd", The last APBA race I was in, Cleveland, there was 3 seperate starts! F1, A, Batboat, P12345, and PX. This is nothing new...?See you in Daytona.
BOB G.

I think it should be a.b.c.d. and e

Bruce

I have the RIGHTS to that photo.

Did you ask ????? NO

MIke Merola

Mike,
How is the boat coming along?

Sorry Mike ..Ill correct that right now

Bobby,what I mean is the P, F1 and F2 classes should run together........some of the P boats have to go around the F1 and F2 boats and visa-versa...all part of racing. What I guess I'm trying to say is don't seperate us"The P/Sportsman classes",WE ALL make for GREAT, EXCITING racing and if ya gotta go around somebody.....So Be It!

Dont worry Augie, We'll be the ones passing, not those trainer boats with the little blue motors........Oh thats gonna leave a mark, my fishing boat runs 80 with a cooler on board, 100 lbs of bait, and tackle. WWWAAAAZZZZZUUUPPPPP!!!!!!!!

Thats why the OPA works for everyone. with a run what you got. The pro series is trying to highlight individual classes with more or less exact spec speeds,motors,boats to be as equal as possable. This puts more demand on the crew and talant in the boat. If you can win with 15-20 other equal boats its not luck! Are pro series crews better than P class crews? You will never know till you get to race in one. Your best bet to test your skill against others is in one of Chris Reindels Bat boats. So dont say you cant aford it if your serious and want to test your skills against equal boats.
MD

LOOK OUT!!!!! ...i think the dog catcher is right around the corner

Be careful you might get what you ask for. I am trying to work out a deal to bring down scott H. Progression, Hmmmm Mad Dog Vrs Sticks, I dont know about the talent, but I know who is fearless

Bring it on!!! That Progression is a great running boat and always is up front.
Randy

you can use it


bruce

Hey Randy,I'm getting too fat and too old to get into an F1....TOO many refrigerators on my back over the last 33 years climbing too many flights of stairs in Jersey City and Hoboken, everything hurts, so I'll just stay in my TugBoat(Tractor/Trailer) in my Sportsman class and watch you and Glen kick ass. I don't think I could see over the dash in one of Chris's boats,you know us short Italians,anyway.....Big Eddie, Jimmy and I will keep each other company and break b-lls.

smitty or augie gecko old boat at martins marine, lets buy it and show randy? they make wide seats for you and me scott
randy sorry mad dog will you give us a weight diffrence we're not as fit as you and glen.

Scotty...great idea, Randy what do you think??????????????????Me and Scott....Oh ****. Grumpy,Old..overweight men...cool name for the boat!!!

Bruce...... Call me ...... Trent

Augie give me a call...Frank

Now were talking. I figured if I slung enough **** long enough maybe we could build this F1 class to 20 plus boats. So come and get us boys. Wont it be sweat when you kick my butt up and down the course. I'll be the first to shake your hand.:eek:
Mad Dog

I'm taking sticks:p I don't care what you call me P-5, Q-5, E-5, stupid, etc.... I just wanna have a good time.

Qball come on down to Daytona well all have a good time
MD

Randy, OK you win if Augie and Scott are going to buy Gecko, Jr, and I will buy yours give me a number Ed