Why do you race??
#12
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: richmond virginia
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The Comradery,
I played Rugby for almost 10 years and had it there, now I have been Racing on and off for the last 10 years and have it here. If you could see what was going on at the WANTED Boat after it sank Saturday you would know exactly what I mean. JC and many others from different teams, I wish I knew their names, worked all day, night and Sunday morning to get the boat on the race course, that whats it's all abought. In 03' my Teammate and I stuffed in Key West and was taken to the hospital, all I could think off was what was going on with my boat, when I was released at 10:00 that night I found out that Randy and the whole Typhoon Team had got it on the trailer, washed and flushed it. I was very proud to have such great friends in the racing community.
Eddie Simmons
568 OUTRAGEOUS
I played Rugby for almost 10 years and had it there, now I have been Racing on and off for the last 10 years and have it here. If you could see what was going on at the WANTED Boat after it sank Saturday you would know exactly what I mean. JC and many others from different teams, I wish I knew their names, worked all day, night and Sunday morning to get the boat on the race course, that whats it's all abought. In 03' my Teammate and I stuffed in Key West and was taken to the hospital, all I could think off was what was going on with my boat, when I was released at 10:00 that night I found out that Randy and the whole Typhoon Team had got it on the trailer, washed and flushed it. I was very proud to have such great friends in the racing community.
Eddie Simmons
568 OUTRAGEOUS
__________________
"If Things Seem Under Control, You're Not Going Fast Enough"
Mario Andretti
"If Things Seem Under Control, You're Not Going Fast Enough"
Mario Andretti
#13
Racer
Racer
No I am not saying I can pay for the boat by racing......but I can pay the bills to go racing. There are not many people that will put in the time to make it work but there are some. I just a matter of passion. It is what I want to do. I neglect other things I'd like to do or have in order to go racing. I realize that I am not JT or Stevie Curtis so I try to do what I can. I hope to one day be at there level. Like I said before and I know I preach it to people. There is money out there to go racing but once you get it you have to follow thorough......you have to PROMOTE your sponsors. Just having a decal on the side of your boat even if you are winning doesn't always get the job done. Also if I were to go racing without prize money I might as well go pleasure boating.....the prize money, trophy, and flag is what we are doing it for, or else we are all just playing games. Sure there are guys out there that don't need the prize money but I can tell you there are many more who hope to get in the money positions.
To be honest it is laughable to see some people tell there stories about how and why they do things or which classes they run in....Look where I ran last year......EVERY RACE......DFL but I knew we could make it work , even if I hadn't gotten a new boat , I would have made the old one work. People that want to RACE move forward. Look at Team DVC there boat is a 5+ year project and now they win races with it those guys have heart and are competitive. Even when I ran my 24' we never gave up......that is what racing is. Many teams out there built boats that "DIDN'T WORK" so now they race in the P classes. I am willing to bet that if ANY of them had been competitive in the spec class that they were built for they would still mostly be racing in the spec class.
There is potential here to make it work. We've been on the edge several time in the last 20 years of making this go and every time WE ALL stumble. There are several people on nearly the same page of where we should go so hopefully we can all head in one direction. There will ALWAYS be more than one sanction, there always has been. It shouldn't be an issue to go back and fourth if you choose, BUT the only way we can make the sport prosper is for sites and sponsors to realize that they have to pay for the show they are getting. I love going to smaller towns all over the country and racing it is the small towns that come out and roll out the red carpet. BUT trust me they see the economic impact and MUST pay for the races. The big guys can't keep paying out of there own pockets just to keep the fleet racing. It works for alittle while til the spenders get bored or don't see a return on what they are doing. The towns see the impact or they wouldn't have the races year after year we can't keep giving it away!
Sorry for ranting.....as I said we've got alot of people talking....hopefully we can all move in a similar direction.
YES AND TO WIN.....
To be honest it is laughable to see some people tell there stories about how and why they do things or which classes they run in....Look where I ran last year......EVERY RACE......DFL but I knew we could make it work , even if I hadn't gotten a new boat , I would have made the old one work. People that want to RACE move forward. Look at Team DVC there boat is a 5+ year project and now they win races with it those guys have heart and are competitive. Even when I ran my 24' we never gave up......that is what racing is. Many teams out there built boats that "DIDN'T WORK" so now they race in the P classes. I am willing to bet that if ANY of them had been competitive in the spec class that they were built for they would still mostly be racing in the spec class.
There is potential here to make it work. We've been on the edge several time in the last 20 years of making this go and every time WE ALL stumble. There are several people on nearly the same page of where we should go so hopefully we can all head in one direction. There will ALWAYS be more than one sanction, there always has been. It shouldn't be an issue to go back and fourth if you choose, BUT the only way we can make the sport prosper is for sites and sponsors to realize that they have to pay for the show they are getting. I love going to smaller towns all over the country and racing it is the small towns that come out and roll out the red carpet. BUT trust me they see the economic impact and MUST pay for the races. The big guys can't keep paying out of there own pockets just to keep the fleet racing. It works for alittle while til the spenders get bored or don't see a return on what they are doing. The towns see the impact or they wouldn't have the races year after year we can't keep giving it away!
Sorry for ranting.....as I said we've got alot of people talking....hopefully we can all move in a similar direction.
YES AND TO WIN.....
#14
I think it is not a profitble hobie or career it is a passion for the ones that do it and can afford it at any level.I am glad to have raced and will always be grateful to OPA for the Expierience.
#15
Racer
Racer
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: L.I. N.Y. Boca Fla.
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I like goin fast and getting trophies and hanging out with people who I have a lot in common with, mainly we are all crazy!! I am proud to be among everyone involved Racers and Fans alike. Louie
PS PATCHOGUE, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK IS NEXT !!!
PS PATCHOGUE, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK IS NEXT !!!
#18
Racer
Racer
I do it because it is fun. OPA makes it reasonable and most of all the people are great. Even Louie!
Two years ago I didn't know anyone, today I got at least 30 new friends that I enjoy seeing and hanging out with every couple of weeks. The travel is fun for my family and of course the racing is awsome. You can run a Class 5 or 6 boat on a very reasonable budget ( I have a great one for sale). I recommend it to anyone who has interest.
Two years ago I didn't know anyone, today I got at least 30 new friends that I enjoy seeing and hanging out with every couple of weeks. The travel is fun for my family and of course the racing is awsome. You can run a Class 5 or 6 boat on a very reasonable budget ( I have a great one for sale). I recommend it to anyone who has interest.
#19
Registered
I Have A Dream:
Now in my 5th season racing in P-class, its' time to step up the program. The only way that's going to be possible is to land a nationally (or globally) based corporate sponsorship that's able to fund a boat, paid crew members, truck drivers, and travel & operating expenses. Prize money, if you're lucky enough to get any, is more of a token, than anything. Realistically, a 3-year budget of $3m would allow me to focus entirely on racing, and much less on working for a living. Target would be 10-15 races/year.
This dream is why I started racing, constantly keeping my eye on the possibility of doing it for a living. But along the way, I learned that the people on the circuit are top notch folks, willing to bend over backwards to help get you on the race course, even if there's a chance that their help might get them beat on race day. We all pitch in to lend a hand with other teams for the love of the sport, and raise the competition level. Look what happened with the Wanted and Wahoo boats this past weekend. I would have never guessed this before I got involved in racing.
Seeing pictures of my boat and my name in magazines (or better yet, on TV) is a bonus. But the icing on the cake is when a 12 year old kid comes up to me in the pits and says "Hey Mister, can I have your autograph?" and I let him climb around the boat to check it out. The look on his face (and his parents) is priceless.
Oh, and drinking beer with Augie is always entertaining.
Good thread, Donna.
Cheers,
Brian
Now in my 5th season racing in P-class, its' time to step up the program. The only way that's going to be possible is to land a nationally (or globally) based corporate sponsorship that's able to fund a boat, paid crew members, truck drivers, and travel & operating expenses. Prize money, if you're lucky enough to get any, is more of a token, than anything. Realistically, a 3-year budget of $3m would allow me to focus entirely on racing, and much less on working for a living. Target would be 10-15 races/year.
This dream is why I started racing, constantly keeping my eye on the possibility of doing it for a living. But along the way, I learned that the people on the circuit are top notch folks, willing to bend over backwards to help get you on the race course, even if there's a chance that their help might get them beat on race day. We all pitch in to lend a hand with other teams for the love of the sport, and raise the competition level. Look what happened with the Wanted and Wahoo boats this past weekend. I would have never guessed this before I got involved in racing.
Seeing pictures of my boat and my name in magazines (or better yet, on TV) is a bonus. But the icing on the cake is when a 12 year old kid comes up to me in the pits and says "Hey Mister, can I have your autograph?" and I let him climb around the boat to check it out. The look on his face (and his parents) is priceless.
Oh, and drinking beer with Augie is always entertaining.
Good thread, Donna.
Cheers,
Brian
#20
Easily Distracted
Platinum Member