Question about Opa-racing series
 

I have been kicking around the idea of racing this past year and started looking into it a little more seriously for the 2007 season. But I have a few questions that may kill the project even before it gets off the ground.

I looked into the P6 Class (70mph & under) But I’m over 26ft so it looks like the P5 Class would be for me. (75mph and under) but how much under? I have a 29 Scarab with twins that only runs 67.5gps right now, should I look into getting another boat? Maybe add a few ponies to my current boat?

Windshield? – I have one, its glass but safety glass – is this ok? Or should I look into replacing the panes with plexiglass (sp?) ?

External Hydraulic steering – Is it required, Or will my std. steering system work?

Safety classes – also is this a requirement? If so were do you go?

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Is there a rules and safty book available. I know NHRA puts one out every year.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Smitty here, Yes there is a rule posted at Oparacing.com. The best thing would be shoot me an Email at Smittymarine@aol. I'll help you out as best I can

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

If you are shopping for a competitive P5 boat, I have a race ready Ocke "Bat Boat" which is a former P class champion. Very safe, very fast and cheap. PM me if you are interested.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Are you the same Yahoo next to Sparky?

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Ok, Things are looking up. I spoke with Ron and they have been taking about letting twin-engine small block boats 30ft and under in the P6 Class - That’s a plus for me seeing as I fit that category nicely. P5 (75mph class) would kill almost any change of racing with my current boat. I would need to add enough horsepower to get another 8/10mph out of my boat and in that case it would be cheaper to sell my boat and buy a smaller (26ft) one and start there.

But if they allow 30ft and under small blocks in P6 – I may be racing next summer! :D I would just need to add a little more power and full hydraulic steering.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

oh boy.....here we go

i personally think 30 feet w/twins, is a no no in P-6. even in P-5. but thats just my 2 cents. OPA will have the say on that.

if you want to get a feel for racing, run in P-5. you may not be competitive at 67. but if you like it, and I know you will, you'll have to power up.

good luck

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

2 Trick,
I believe OPA has "frozen" the rules for three years. If you look at an ocean race like OC Maryland or Point Pleasant, I think a 30' boat with twins would have a huge advantage over the current P6 boats, which are 26' and under. Most running in P6 are 24', although there is one 26' Velocity.
I do hope you get your boat out to race, but I think P5 would be more appropriate. Good luck!

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

I personally thought that too when I spoke with Ron, But he did say they have discussed it before that twin small block boats may be acceptable for the P6 (Beginner style racing)

I would think a 29 would kill a 26 in rough water (running same speed) but what do I know – I race Motocross…

Bruce If I were to run P5 what is the normal speed? 74.9999999 (???) seeing 75mph is the limit?

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

yes ...75 is the max speed for P-5. Most of The P-5 boats are single engine except for 1 or 2 that I know of. You are in a similar situation that the Sonic Boom guys were in a few years back. Their first year, they ran a 28 Sonic w/ twins and ran just about 70 when everyone else was running 75 or better. The following year, they bought a 28 Pantera single and had a blast. Once again, my advice, before you spend a bunch of $$, is to come on out and run a race or two. Get a feel for it and see what you need to do to become competetive. At which point, you may elect to beef up your motors or buy a single engine race boat.

We have all been there and are willing to help out the new teams as best we can.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Ok forget the Email call me 732 920 3945. No boats over 26ft and they MUST be single engine to run P6. The rules are in stone for 3 years. i will call Ron. Smitty

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

I do understand there is a major leaning process, especially in my case were I have never been around boat racer or racing. Like I said I raced Motocross and Supercross and even wrenched on the circuit for a few well-known riders. But this may be a fun thing to try, the only problem I’m limited buy my boat (witch I just bought) and money (aren’t we all?)

So if I need to run the P5 Class I would like to be competitive, not win right out of the box just keep the leader in sight (or on the same lap) than go from that point on. At 70mph – wouldn’t I just be in the way in P5?

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

I did - I hit your Voice Mail .

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Ok, P5 It is… Just a slow P5 For the first few races next year. If I like it I'll look into another boat down the line.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

2 Trick,
Come to some of the races and introduce yourself-there is often someone looking for a driver or throttleman. In Cambridge Md, I knew of two racers looking for last minute replacements. Bruce is right-try racing in P5, then decide if it's worth investing in your boat, or moving on.
Bob G.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

One other thing to remember is attrition. If your stock small block boat is one of the last 3 running in front-you are on the podium. Now
P5 is very competitive and there are some great racers/boats in that class, but every race has breakage. You just need to prep well and be running at the end. Either way, do a race or two, you'll be hooked, and then build a nice set of 409 stroker small blocks and you can run 75 no sweat :D

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Sell your boat and i got the perfect 24 foot starter boat
chris
Team Papa Dukes

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

From looking on-line and reading a lot of the threads about “First Time Racing” the P6 Class seemed very “First Time Friendly” I seen a lot of threads about guys just wanting to race there everyday boats and the P6 Class seemed to be the way to go. The P5 Class seems very competitive with every boat driven by a true racer, not some 1 or 2-race weekend warrior like myself. I just have a feeling like I may be bring a fork to a gun fight running a 70mph boat.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Another thing I have noticing is the P5 Boats have some serious hardware attached, not weekend races/everyday drives, That’s a intimidating factor right there!

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Yes one of our warehouses is next to sparky. We run both the P5 Wahoo Bat Boat and the P2-14 AMT Cat

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

2 Trick Rick
I am going thru the same thing you are right now i want to race next year but i have a 29 fountain and a 35 cigarette my fountain to big for p-6 cigarette well just to danm slow
so i want to buy a 28-30 ft race boat but then my wife i want a boat to go riding on sundays then she says we cant afford to race every race so i am kinda stuck i have both boats for sale i will be at destin race to talk to the racers and look for a boat i may be able to race and enjoy on the weekends sorry post so long just had alot to say
Ty

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Small word, I work at www.magnumdistributing.com - check out the web site and drop me a e-mail if you need anything.

[email protected]

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

I would think a 29 Fountain would be great in the P5 Class -(?)

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Full cabin huge audio system with extra batterys and neon lights set up for pleasure not race
Ty

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Keep the Cig for pleasure and strip the fountain to race problem solved. :evilb: :evilb: :drink: :drink:

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

I am with you just try and get the wife to approve that
Ty

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

2 Trick, I just turned 18 this year, so i could finally race, ive been aroudn all my life and theres was nothign i wanted to more than race with my dad. So when i finally got to, it was more fun and exciting than i thought it was going to be. You do it once and youre hooked.
Mikey

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

That's the 'Boat" I'm in. I'm trying to do both things with one boat. But Like with Motocross I have seen guys start racing with Enduro bikes and the more they liked it the better they got than the swicthed over to race bikes. Maybe thats what I can do if I like it.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

One quick vinyl sheet to cover the OE Graphics and a number… looks ready to race. :evilb:

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Seriously, I would like to thank all you guys for the help – I must have received a dozen e-mails and PM’s encouraging me to “come out and race”

Unless you guys are just looking for someone new to beat up on. :drink:

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Oh... you dont need the "P" anymore

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Yup, 557 would be the # :D

Smitty was talking about some rad small blocks, maybe he can set you up for p-2 :D Oops, I mean Class 2 :evilb:

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Ok so 5-57 Or 557 without the dash? No problem with that. But I'll just try it first before I jump in to deep, if I like it than I'll look into another boat strictly made to race.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Rick,

I had a 99 29 Scarab with the 350 mpi's which out of the box gave me ballpark 68 mph, I am assuming that is close to the set up that you have. One suggestion instead of buying motors and with you just starting, call Matt and Julie from Throttle Up and they will get you closer to the 75 mph goal. With new props I had the Scarab up to 73 when it was all said and done just by the prop change. Also with you entering the race arena, you might want to consider upgrading to XR drives for reliability purposes. Good luck to you and welcome to racing. Smitty will get you where you need to be and just remember, races are only 45 minutes, its a whole weekend of fun with a great group of guys. Becareful of that Bruce guy, he looks intimidating, but is probally the biggest teddy bear on the circuit. :p

Trent

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Yep, that’s right were I'm at. I was running 67.1 gps (?) with my port engine only running 80psi in the #6 cylinder. I replaced that but have not had time to water test it because our Michigan weather SUCKS! But I soon will. I also have a line on a “almost-new” set of lightning exhaust headers that would add a little hp while removing almost 100lbs of dead weight.

And as far as the Bruce guy – I’ll watch out, I’m just a little guy. :D

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Alright all this race talk is killing me. I'm going to call Mr. Smitty tomorrw. I should finish my rebuild in a few months and then, next year, look out p-5 here I come. :D

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

2 TRICK RICK THE limit is 75 but in most races the water is not flat so your average speed could be 65 to 70 and with twins you should get a good hole shot out of the turns over the singles , the last race p5 I was in was 2002 and it was so rough we were doing like 40 to 55 depending where you were on the track :p . I am getting back in nexted yr been out with boat needing bulkheads floor work and back and knee operations last one will be 10/23/06 and thats it. so I might be looking for someone to do a couple of races with because up here my friends can't make it to every race. and the boat is flying right now I just been testing in the river and bay in fallriver mass.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Make it a few weeks and get that boat to Destin.... :evilb:

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

Believe me if I could make it happen I would. I spent a good while reading all the rules last night, WOW. that's a lot of stuff to consume, I'm sure it's is not as bad as it first seems once I get started. Preping my wife was the most dificult :D

Does every p5 boat have two bilge pumps?
I need another gps for the throttle man to watch, tab and trim switches. the list will take some time to complete.
Bruce, my engine took a dump about 3 weeks ago and I'm in the middle of that project. I think about this stuff all day. My goal is to be mechanically ready this spring. Once I study up and learn my boat better I will hit a couple of races. The last thing I want to do is make a dangerous rookie move on the course.

Re: Question about Opa-racing series
 

I guess ultimately you must bring your boat to an event and have it inspected on site? Are there any OPA reps you can deal with via email , telephone and pictures to avoid a wasted trip to a race only to learn you don't pass inspection?
These are the types of questions I ask myself.
I really don't think my boat is very far off but with zero experence I don't know.