I believe this thread started, where Al is a little frustrated with not being able to run wide open. Lets look at even the 850 class. They are controlled by rpm gear ratio and prop pitch just like we are. There I must believe it was to keep the boats at a safe speed. From the amount of limiter popping they do, there is definately more speed if more gear were allowed. Hats off to them for realizing competition does not nessessarily need ultimate speed. It needs deck to deck racing. That has been accomplished. The Rules in OPA were structured around the same principle. Prop, gear ratio, rpm. If the boat is set up correctly, and run in the correct class you are running wide open. Example class 2 basically all Fountain SV's class speed 105. While all these boats are capable of 108-109, on a race coarse we can hardly ever get to 105. 90 percent of the time you are wide open. If I entered my boat in class 3, 95 mph class with the intention of trying to dominate the class at 95 mph, yes I would be bored holding the boat at 3/4 throttle. In Al's case the boat is too fast for class 5, and too small for class 4. While he has the speed to run class 4, the twin engine V's are hard to catch in big water. But if you look at it as a series and not just one race. Al can win at the calm water races, where the twin V's are stuggling in the calm conditions. Al I am not singling you out, just using your problem to try and solve the issue. If there were a single engine class with a speed set at 85 instead of 75, I can only think of 3 or 4 boats that would be capable. Not enough for a class. At the same time class 5 is so strong, why pull boats out of there. Boats that come to mind, Crazy Chicken, Octane, 27 Activator canopy, who else? Or Al, I will go halfs with you on one of Gino's Spec Boats, and lets go try and kill each other. Open ears.....Smitty

On the other issue of horse power to weight, that only works if you have the same hulls. In P1 the new tech. Hulls win. In our world, you have new hulls, old hulls, stepped hulls, V hulls, Power to weight will never work.

Example, sorry if I use my own boat, but it is the perfect example.
32 Viper Old straight V, 8000 lbs 1500 hp 106 mph.
Our Fountain although 38 foot actually has the same running lenght as our Viper. It also weighs 8000 lbs.. When we put the engines from the old boat in it we saw 136.
Two boats same weight, same length same power,106 vrs 136.

Even though i very selden agree with you ,,,,,,,,,i think u got a point.
By the way did you find the tailpipes ?

I am all ears on this thread

I know this site is for racers, not fans, but OPA is doing a terrific job, so I would just let them continue what they're doing. From what I read, OPA is the deal, all the others are on there way down. Correct me if I'm wrong.

This site is for racers, officials, fans alike. Your input is important too, as we all need to work together.

Rich

Thanks everyone, I consider any input on this topic very helpful and after the reality, there are only a few boats & teams that really would benifit from a new class. I feel that for the betterment of OPA that I do not fragment any class going into such trying economic times.I plan on attending the Dec. 13 meeting, gearing up for some class????

great thing going, let's not mess it up