I feel all the motor options have diluted the class. What do all of the equipment owners think? Should we go back to one merc. motor and Drive? Would this increase factory participation and bring more boats? I don't really care if it was a 350 mag or the 525 package but its out of control. I think a less expensive package the public can relate to is a great start. Would you be willing next year to start fresh? And I say forget about grandfathering anything. Run with todays technology or move to P class if you cant afford it. The parity needs to be there for Factory racing.
Steve I read your post on E class, several years ago when it was running it was to close to F class that it didn't pay to be in a smaller class but today maybe another story with the 496 EFI across the board with a XR drive.
Mad Dog

Randy,

We had this discussion a few months back. The logic then and now has not changed. Factory rules need to change with technology. We know somewhere down the road the 500 is gone. So we prepare for it by bringing in the the 525's now with a weight deficit. The powers to be think the GM HP3 is equal to the 525. So with GM's participation, it too is alowed in. I don't think its too many options, just changing with the times while keeping speeds in the high 70's to low 80's for F1 and high 80's and low 90's for F2.

J

If this holds true, the logical alternative would be HP525 or GM HP3, no weight penalty, period.

peconic,

then your increasing the speed even more, althought we are just catching up to what the fountain was runningg three years ago.

Treadwell

I hear you, Treadwell.

If factory rules need to change with technology, and if HP525/GM HP3 is where it's at, then this is where it's at.

If that's too fast and too expensive, then the 496 is a great solution.

Changing with technology, spending a lot of extra change, and then artificially dumbing/slowing it down, and confusing the heck out of people makes the least sense in that argument.

Thats why a lower HP motor is needed in Factory racing if you want to keep the speeds down. This whole weight thing is a guessing game we dont need in the equation. Better in the rough slower in the calm bla bla bla. MAKE IT ALL SPEC in Factory.
Mad Dog

One advantage with adding weight is that builders are less likely to build potato-chip boats when there is nothing to be gained by building a light weight boat. I think we've all seen "Factory" boats that have come apart, (some resulting in injury), that "may have been" due to thin, light boats. Raising the minimum weight may also give teams the ability to strengthen their boats rather than just add lead weight or sand bags.
While I agree that it would have been nice to have started the factory classes with 502efi mags, then simply changed to the 496 Mag HO, that is all water under the bridge, (so to speak).
Considering the position we are in now, I think Flashwave hits it pretty close.

How good is the 496HO? Would it hold up like the 500 EFI? Is it raceable with longjevity?
MD

1. I have a 500EFI in my pleasure boat, why would I want a 496 in my race boat?
2. GM promotes the HP3 by helping the race teams afford it. If Merc wants to promote the 525 then they should help the racers afford to step up. Then you have HP3 vs 525. That's what factory class is all about.
3. The 3% weight rule is going to always be a problem if they keep increasing the weight requirements. If I step up to the 525 how do I get around the 3% rule?

the 3% rule is moot!