I completely understand things mentioned in this thread.

The question I have is, does OPA really need another Class?

If another class would be added, it must be for all types of water, not just calm water.

"Entry Level"? Wasn't that what Class 6 was designed as? Look at where it is now. So we should add another "entry level" class to only turn into a competitive class?

And then were is the $$$ coming from? Is this new "entry class" or SOB class expected to receive prize/travel money?

Ok then, if it's a non-prize class are you going to given the at least trophies for placing? This would be an added expense to the race site organizers.

Next topic, registration. Are these boats going to be expected to pay registration? I say ... um ... um ... yes they should and full registration at that. Insurance still needs to be covered, they will still need to pay. And as it is now for boats that race only one race in the circut, their registration cost should be the same just as any other boat that races in OPA.

Next question .... as was seen last season .... OPA race day was ran with 3 races (not starts, but actual races). In which race is this class going to be expected to run in?

Last question .... it's all fine and dandy to want to try and get more boats, but by adding classes? I'm not sure that is the answer. At least I give rchevelle71 kudos to wanting to race in Jupiter (Ocean Race) in a SOB class. But if these classes are added, what is going to be a true # of boats in attendance at the races?

You all know I love this offshore stuff and do everything I can, but it just seems that I hear the same stuff for the past 30 years. (Yes, I was around racing in the 70s) If it's not those that are saying "Back in the F1 & F2 days" they show their age by saying back in the "A & B class" days .... those days were great, but it was a different time and economy. The last large boat count I remember was in 2007 at all sites, and it just seems to have gotten less since then. I don't have the answers on "how to make it better", my only suggestion is ...with what we have now, we should be asking how we can make this better.

[QUOTE=Lucididee;3864035] those days were great, but it was a different time and economy. QUOTE]

bingo. dont need more classes. there just isnt enough peeps with money to spend on an expensive sport right now.

Well said Dee! As I'm stuck in my house and my governor made it illegal to get to the local bar (driving ban) and watch the snow fall, I can't help sticking my 2 cents in. :-) Is 70 too fast for some of the slower teams or does it matter. For whatever it is worth, I enjoy watch 6 run. Its entertaining and does seem to be competetive. 900hp does seem excessive, if that excists, though.

If you could get a core group of registered SOB to commit to the season, then a class could be made, in my opinion. But to make a class and cross fingers that boats might show up isn't practical.

As far as what Dee said regarding making what we have better, she has it right. The better we make it, the more desirable it is for race teams to want to come out.

Pretty much everybody agrees cheaper will bring more boats and teams.
We have it allready class 6 is as cheap as its going to get there are old baha susations velocitys panteras corsa ect that are out there if you are handy for under 20 grand you can be racing and have a real chance of winning or at least placing trust me i do it.

The only way to have a class were there no bracket speed is all boats are the same with the same SEALED power.

When you can find that for 20 grand or less you may be able to start a spec class but you will also need atleast 5 or 6 teams to buy equipment and move forward because 1 or 2 teams is not going to get it.

For the new racer bring you boat whatever it is race have fun dont plan on wining learn save your money make you boat and power better you will be upfront at some pointe dont forget its not all power its what lane you are in and turning and luck helps out to.

Seals dont work anymore.... They can be had on ebay, amazon, etc. Its to the point now that you can seal a hatch like we used to and racers have found a way around it. Stringent tech is needed to verify and keep the racers in line, which leads to where does the money come from for the association to acquire equipment and personnel to enforce it? Nascar has a 20 million dollar a year budget(just on tech & enforcement) and we keep going back to non-paying race sites. Its a never-ending cycle that took place before we came around, will keep repeating while we are still racing, and long after we're gone.

The thoughts being expressed here on why we dont need another class were the same when CLASS 6 was added at the begining of the 2006 season!The class was added to have a place for the smaller lower freeboard single inboard vees to RACE COMPETITIVELY.It is been proven that boat length matters in all water conditions.CLASS 6 is now the class with the most teams because of its relative affordability.I think its safe to say that many of the teams currently racing in CLASS 6 would not be racing at all if the class was not added.I agree about having fewer classes...but we need fewer big boat classes.Some of the big boat classes have had 1 or 2 boats for a number of years but they are still offered.At least the smaller classes have the best chance to grow for obvious reasons.

On the subject of a three race format...that is a huge mistake.We need to really improve our racing product,and having less than 10 boats on a 5 or 6 mile course is a total bore.In my opionon,particularly at the ocean venues;we should have only ONE RACE!If need be,make the ocean courses a little bigger.Remember, we used to have only one race when OPA was started.And in the APBA and USO days, there were often over 50 boats on the race course at once.Our current events are way too diluted and drawn out.I think alot of build up to an intense two hour race with a fun post race celebration would be a better format.

I dont know about you....but I really dont want to be on the course in my class 6 boat with Geico, Cintron, Pheonic, Amsoil, etc...running by me at 140+!!! I know what it was like in OB, Alabama in 10' seas and having those boats not seeing me and maybe going over me would have been catastrophic!!

We have to keep the boats seperated into at minimum 2 races. And as far as a boat wants to come out and race 2 races a year, HELL YAH HE SHOULD PAY THE SAME ENTRY FEE and THE SAME FEE TO JOIN OPA!! You want to race?? Do it like everybody else!!! And there should be a 3 or 4 race minimum to even think about tow money or prize money!

Thanks Dee,

As you know, I can't travel far from home, so it would just be south FL races for me. I was just throwing it out there that if they could get enough SOB's together for Jupiter I'd be in. Maybe throw it out there in advance on a race by race basis, and see who commits. Small reg. fee, and just a trophy would work for me. I am not dyeing to race, just being invited to be around y'all is enough for me. Drove one race before I was married and tied to the house, Marathon back in '05 in Scotty's boat, and to be honest with ya I have more fun crewing.

Rick