rule changes and meeting 2013
 

Ok its getting near that time when every body has been sitting around all winter keyboard racing dreaming of ways to make things better. There will be talk about a meeting before the awards and some great ideas along with some complete nonsense will be discussed. And then in the end we will all agree to disagree yet once again and all show up to race and ***** and moan. I have an idea! We have class champions which if I'm correct are supposed to represent the entire class throughout the season?i think this would be a good time to try to get this started instead of the hundreds of people trying to get there individual points across to Smitty. I also think its time to put up or shut up as far as getting new race sites developed and promoted. I have no idea how to get a race site or run a race like most of us racing but maybe if somehow we could help Smitty and the rest of the staff in someway we could better our sport instead of just talking $hit about every decision made. My last thought before I'm thrown under the bus is opa needs to get all the teams better involved in the couple of series sponsors we have to get more and keep the ones we have. Like maybe something better then a 14 inch sticker on half the boats? How about getting everyone patches for shirts? Making promotional items like tents banners and such available at the race sights and more organized events at the race sites like the autograph sessions were we could showcase the sponsors and show other potential sponsors what a great sport offshore racing is and how awesome a partnership with opa would be.
Soberly and sincerEly
Mike O
531 WHOZ YOUR DADDY:daz:

Great ideas Mike...keep them coming!

IMO, I think we should have a time we all sit at a long table and sign hero cards. we did it in St. Clair 2 years ago and as I recall had a line of fans. Good tmes as I recall.

Mike you didnt write that. LOL
MD

Something simple but at the same time important.Legal numbers on all race boats per specific class rules. All bracket class boats should be triple digit numbers.All spec class boats should be two digit numbers.
XTREME numbers 0-99
SUPER CAT numbers 0-99
SUPER CAT LIGHT numbers 0-99
SUPER VEE LIGHT numbers 0-99
CLASS 1 numbers 100-199
CLASS 2 numbers 200-299
CLASS 3 numbers 300-399
CLASS 4 numbers 400-499
CLASS 5 numbers 500-599
CLASS 6 numbers 600-699

Great post Mike!
Personally Id vote for a 39 foot limit in 4.
If I were still in 5, Id vote for some kind of a HP restriction, like Jake and Mark mentioned in the other thread.
That being said Ill be setting up band equipment why yall are hashing it out...so...pretty much whatever Jason goes for lol

I agree with the autograph signing. It should be on Saturday at the same time each event. It is a great way to interact with our fans and build our fanbase. One of the keys to getting fans involved is to make ourselves as racers accessible to the fans. It also gives us an opportunity to represent our sponsors with hero cards, giveaways, sell team shirts, etc...


Rich
Joker Powerboats/CRC 611

Randy this worked out great last year in St. Claire! People had lined up down the street for us teams to sign their stuff!

It really needs to be done at EVERY race site!

Agreed Rich!!!!

I like the autograph thing but think figuring out how to get sponsers more involved and giving them more credit is paramount. Most people attending our races just see Amsoil and Geico on 2 boats? Seems to me they would love more exposure and maybe light a fire under other sponsers when they realize BANG FOR BUCK?

The marketing term for bang for the buck is Return on Investment. The marketing people want to see what they are getting for their investment. Autograph sessions and other activities in the pits are key to getting sponsors exposed to our fans. Just putting a name on the side of a boat is not enough. From my experience in the Grand Am Rolex and Continental Tire Series', I can tell you that if we as a series want to make it attractive to sponsors, we need to step up our professionalism, from uniforms to what our pit area looks like. No disrespect to our current state of affairs, but to get more serious sponsorship, we as competitors have to take it up a notch.

We agree with the arguments here from all sides. The biggest I think is we all sit here and say we need to do this for a sponsor we need to do that, the BIGGEST thing we need to do first is fix our rules so our racers are all on board and our organization run efficient! We need to fix it from the inside out not the outside in. Do you not think scouts or the owners themselves might come on OSO, Serious and other avenues to see how we as an organization act?! Hell, 3 of my sponsors come on here and read up on us just to see how we're doing, you don't think he then goes back and wonders just how dis functional of an organization we all might be?! It happens people, we as racers need to step up OUR game like stated and start to show a professional side rather than just a bunch of back yard racers who just want to have a good time. Yes us included! Its just like football or any other sports, WE ARE REPRESENTING OPA AND OURSELVES! Just like they represent the NFL and there sponsors like Nike, Adidas, Under Armor, etc....Sometimes you hear people say we are the Nascar on water, guess what? We aren't! Right now we are a semi disfuntional bunch of racers who get together and have a good time when we're together then when we get home all we do is b!tch about how it went. Just my opinion boys, just like I've read yours. So what are we going to do? Are we going to fix it from the inside out for the better of the sport or we going to make things fit our personal agenda and keep complaining? I'm ready for a change for the better of the sport! It can only help us later.

Maybe there shoud be prefered parking for your team and rig if you have real sponsors. Most of us want a parking spot with some exposure along with our class. Just a thought maybe the race site has priemium spots for the teams that represent us best. I know some will complain on who determines "sponsored teams" but in the end we all know who those quality teams are that proffesionly make the rest of us look good. I know I will need to park in the dirt behind the building but I wont be alone. LOL

Save us a spot Randy please.

Pit placement is key, however no team should have to be out on the back 90 so to speak(not even Randy lol). When I was fortunate enough to be able to bring the hydro display I did everything in my power to be on the opposite end of the pits from the Geico team and have everyone in the middle as EVERYONE wants to see the Geico setup and the hydro was exotic and got a few visits. That way all the teams got exposure going between the 2. If the placement is right then everyone will get the proper exposure.

My setup is far from elaborate, but there is less than 1000 invested into it and more importantly fits in the back of my truck under the tonneau. It doesnt take much, to put on a show. Nice post Mike, hopefully everyone takes notes..

There is already a distinction in the class (example 3-79) which is the 300 class. I don't see a need for a change as this would mean teams would have the expense to redo uniforms, boat #, hero cars, trailer and support vehicles numbers, etc, some teams have built a name around there #, and some teams maybe superstitious about changing there #, I think this could cause some teams some unnecessary expenses,

Nice ideas here, I also think the pits need to be a bit more organized. I would really like to see all the classes set up in the same area, all right next to each other. i feel like this would give the fans a better understanding of who is in what class and the type of boats that race in each class. I know everyone doesnt get to the race at the same time due to numerous conditions but i feel like a pit layout with each teams spot labeled would be great. This does require everyone to let OPA know they are coming in advance. Just my opinion...

I have to agree with that, we never had much anything for a pit display, never got much attention. Bought a 100 dollar tent and a few posters, now our pit is busy. Didnt take much

I know im one of the biggest culprits of this, but I think the whole world wide web being able to see the racers argue over rules really hurts our professionalism view. You cant go on a Nascar board and see Jeff and Clint argue.

Waterboy may be referencing the 2 spec boats out there with 3 digit #s. And also there was one season where boats in Class 4 ran under #23, #311 & #400.

From my observations, the fans are becoming more educated and are starting the learn the different classes that are out on the course. This alone is a + for the sport.

Agreed!! We should have our RACERS ONLY forum that requires a password to enter and then we don't have to worry about the general public reading our woes.

Thatd be awesome. Its even worse when the general public thinks we need to hear their 2 cents too. WOW i sound like a dick lol

With working with the sites, I have discussed autograph sessions and how it is great for the fans. Keeping in mind that everything is an expense... Teams, it is up to you to make these autograph sessions popular! You need to show with your own hero cards and cannot rely on the site to be providing literature to sign. Last year Jupiter printed out a 4-page hand out that included 44 projected attendees (all boats could not be included at the time it went to print) and in East Tawas the local newspaper included a race insert that had 12 projected attendees.

So far for 2013, autograph sessions are set for St Clair, Port Huron (double-session - Sarnia, Ont, Canada & Port Huron) & East Tawas.

Mike,

I agree with ya 100%. While the autograph thing is great, I think our focus as race teams needs to be directed more with sponsorship. One of the things I am working on for SVL is to get a specific sponsor for SVL. Now this is something I am doing on my own and have discussed with some in my class and gotten positive feedback, but have nothing set in stone yet. For example, my goal is to get $10 - $20k from a sponsor to put towards the regulating of eng, drives, x-dims, etc. ( in SVL), and safety support. Maybe take a little load off of OPA for each site and pay for travel and accomodations for some of the saftey / rescue personell. In return the sponsor gets their name on every SVL and support vehicles, hero cards, shirts, whatever. Also during broadcasts at race sites and on TV, they get recognition for their contribution, "Thanks to "XXXXX Sponsor" for bringing us Super Vee Lite technical officials as well as safety / rescue personell this weekend!" Or some $hit like that.. And we as a group find a way to promote their product as a group during each race weekend to sell their product..

If each individual class could get together, and WORK TOGETHER as a team to find a common sponsor for it's respective class, we branch out, cover more ground, and take a load off of Smitty and the OPA crew.. It would certainly be more appealing to any sponsor to have their name on EVERY boat in that class, guaranteeing them exposure no matter what the results of each race.

Just a few thoughts, got a ton of other BS floatin around in my head on how to make this work, but that's all I feel like writing now.. So fire away with all your positive feedback, and anyone with negative feedback... TUG IT... BABY!!

I'm pretty sure NASCAR got some kind of gag order that prohibits posting certain things on public forums. And if they do any way, there's probably a hefty fine attached, along with penalties.


But as far as posting on these public forums (OSO, FB, Twitter, etc.) information/problems/issues/etc that should be privy to those with in the organization (staff & racers), at one point .... ya gotta say ... people need to police themselves and what they say. Look at it if you are a business owner ....... here you have an employee bad mouthing or posting inside information, I'm pretty sure you'd find a way to terminate that person. I've heard many many stories on how people have lost there jobs due to what t hey posted on FB. I also know that due to posting the rhetoric on these forums, sponsorships have been lost.

Before you post, please think about what you are going to type and then think if there is going to be any kind of a fallout afterwards. And if there is a fallout, are you prepared to deal with the consequences.

It's all about "Smoke and Mirrors".

I've been saying this for a while now ... YES, for many teams going to a race is like a working vacation and for some it IS their vacation, but we need to treat the race sites as a "Trade Show" and their pit stall as "the booth". We've all been to trade shows, so we should know what catches our eyes to get us to stop at the booth ... #1 thing is to be at your booth (pit stall). And before I get blasted for the last comment, YES I do know that there are those that never leave their pit stall, but I have also observed times when in the height of viewing (Saturday) sometimes people are no where to be found. (If your out testing, your testing, your are part of the show.)

Agreed.

I think grouping the classes together (Like Mikey said) would help out a lot with keeping guys in or at least near their booths. Good idea!

That has it's pros & cons

For starters, let's start with those that do double-duty. Those boats should be pitted together. After being part of Jupiter and getting the information together, pit assisnment is a not easy

Then those that have a LARGE pit presence need to be spread all around (Boats like AMSOIL & GEICO). Ya need the so-to-say BIG Guy in the Front and the big GUY in the back. At one site, some were not too happy about being pitted on the other side of the lake away from the main pit area. Along with another site where boats are again pushed up on a hill separated from the core dry pit area.

The next issue you come across it when people actually get to the race site, some show up early, some show up saturday afternoon and some leave as soon as the race is over. Pit assignment needs to accommodate these needs as well. You need to be smart about the assignments, so as those that arrive can be filled in.

Plus, then take in the other factor, dry pits sometimes have limited spacing (parking), you might not be able to pit the same class boats together. So by putting the one the has a "large" pit presence next to the one that may just have a truck & trailer just makes a better fit logistically.

In the past in which it was grouped by class, it was always the same, hide the smaller Class 5 & 6 boats in the back, in which you will have limited walking traffic around your pits stall. Is that what you really want? Personally I love, seeing the smaller class mixed in with the larger boats. They don't get lost as they do when they are shoved in the back corners or across the street.

In theory, grouping same class boats together sounds good, but in reality ... it sometimes falls into the "to hard to do" category.

I agree if possible class pitting together would be great because it will help the fans understand the boats better and get to meet teams and who they want to root for of course that will be team P-F-E :lolhit:

The one thing we talk about and i mean opa racers is airing our grips out on the net its not all bad people like drama it draws people to us now im not saying its ok to rip into other racers if you have a problem with a person or the opa try to keep it to dull roar on the net.

As far as sponsor go most think some drama is ok they know it draws people and thats what they want to a pointe just look at whats on tv now or when a nascar driver takes things into his own hands just as long as things dont get to far out of control.

Just some useless thoughts:angry-smiley-038:

I respectfully disagree.The numbering system is in place for the scorers and the fans.Our sport is hard to enough to follow with multiple classes out on the course at once.Even being an insider I have watched a race and was totally confused as to who was racing who.If your racing in Class 2; your number should be 277.And in the big scheme of things changing vinyl numbers on a boat is not very expensive.Back in the old days,if your numbers did not meet rulebook guidelines you would not be scored period.Again,just my opinion.

This thread needs some input from Smitty Allen Ron and anyone that makes these desisions in OPA. We need someone to point us in a direction? I know for a fact that no one person not even Smitty can handle all this stuff alone, Does OPA have any type of race site coridinator? A person that could actualy plan where and how the boats should be displayed and pehaaps make sure all teams are equiped with the propper sponsors logos and displays? I remember back in the day when Alen was kinda inchage of parking and stuff like that? Do you think Amsoil and Geico would like there stuff on everyones shirts and vehicles? I know a couple casses of oil and some SWAG goes a long way in my neck of the woods.

I agree 100%, Thank you for bringing that up.

Agreed, makes everything simpler!

How many you got in that head? :whistle:

Yes they do.

For example: Brian Kowalski handles all 3 races in Michigan. Hence the reason he does roll-call for those races. Quite Frankly, they all have a person that is charge of pit assignment. A lot of times, it's hard to do as he might not have a complete list. (You can only rely on OSO so much. Not everyone is on here.)

Sometimes, there are teams out there that come in and just park where they want. (Sometimes they move when asked and sometimes they don't). As I learned myself, more so in Jupiter .... you racers get very very fickle about your pit stalls.

And Yes, there is usually one person that is deemed the chief person at every site


We aleady do this when we can. Problems that are ran into is the banners are usually sent in the beginning of the season and posibly once more come august. I myself have put these out at some sites and had to collect them for the next race. Problem is usually collecting them after the race ... people usually walk of with more that 60% of the signs/banners that where posted thoughout the pits. At one race, it was acutally cut off of our tent overnight (it happens sometimes).



I can only speak for what I see going on. I am NOT talking ill against anything. All I can post is what I see and what is happening. I am working with the site coordinators with suggestions as to what I've seen that really works well out there. I am open to all suggestions, but in the end it does come down to what the individual site committee wants.

For the most part, this has gotten better than is has in the past. You can see here yourself http://oparacing.org/standings.html

FYI - Online Racing Form Submissions will be available very very soon!

It will be glitchy, as I cannot control the settings and mail client on your personal computer. At this time it will only work on Internet Explorer & Firefox browsers. An email will be following soon with directions. (The Submit feature does not work on Chrome & Safari.) But you will have the option to still type in the information and either just print it out or to save it and send it via email.

Sounds killer Dee!

I have lots floating around my head and thats a lot of head to fill .

You would think i drank a gallon of read bull the way my head is buzzing.:bong: