I miss-understood, thought you were doing two regular distance races...although I have damn near run out of fuel
Thats the setup we do at the demo race...do 20 miles races for each class give or take. Works there but its a whole different environment then real racing.
How is it going to make a longer day for the fans though? We already have 2-3 races per day

We did the two races at several OSS events in the past. It actually worked out well and was alot of fun. You were alowed to change props and or repair a problem. You were NOT allowed to add or remove fuel or weight.....

Also short races can take away some of the advantages some boats may have. Less time for a small advantage to become a large one. A good way to combine some classes.

Would never have enough time

When the National race was in Cambridge, it was a 2 day format of racing. (Keep in mind 2 days of racing is a cost to the site for 2 days of permits.) I did enjoy the 2 days of racing for the National title race.

I don't see heat racing with only 15 mins between races. I don't foresee being able to clear a course within 15 mins (breakdowns, helo, etc.). Will all the sites have ample dockage for all the boats between the races? At some sites there is a 10-15 minute idle at least to get out to the course. I feel that if heat racing would be done, it would have to be done at all the sites or none at all. (again, I did like this format for the National Title race only.) I would rather see shorter course with more laps. This would keep the boats closer together.

There are already set times for Meet & Greets. Some sites do autograph sessions and some sites don't. This is up to the individual site promoters to include this in their schedule. Sometimes the problem is getting the racers to show up and show up on time. Along with hero cards to sign for the fan. If the fan is gonna meet you they are going to want to walk away with something.

Take a look at the economy ... enough said. With that said, I also know the some racers don't go on vacations, racing is there vacations. But the need to treat pit stalls in the manner of a "booth" at a trade show" is pertinent. We all need to be at these designated sponsored events to show our support to the towns for having us. There is the need to treat races more as a working vacation.

Below is how the OPA races were ran last year. Due to double-duty racers, there is no guarantee of what boats will run in what race.

Ocean City

• RACE 1: Vee Lite, Class 5, Class 6
• RACE 2: Cat Lite, Class 1, Class 3, Class 4

East Tawas

• RACE 1: Class 5, Class 6
• RACE 2: Super Vee, Class 4
• RACE 3: Cat Lite, Class 1, Class 3, Vee Lite

St Clair

• RACE 1: Vee Lite, Class 5, Class 6
• RACE 2: Super Stock, Super Vee, Class 3, Class 4
• RACE 3: Extreme, Cat Lite, Class 1

Port Huron

• RACE 1: Vee Lite, Class 6
• RACE 2: Super Vee, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5
• RACE 3: Extreme, Cat Lite, Class 1

Solomons

• RACE 1: Class 4, Vee Lite, Class 6
• RACE 2: Super Vee, Class 5
• RACE 3: Extreme, Cat Lite, Class 1, Class 3

Jupiter

• RACE 1: Vee Lite, Class 4, Class 6
• RACE 2: Super Vee, Class 3, Class 5
• RACE 3: Extreme, Cat Lite, Class 1

The same thought crossed my mind. Logistically, it would be difficult. I personally don't feel that heat races would improve the on the water action in the fans eyes.

What is the purpose of making the "racing better"? To attract more spectators. We have a unique sport where it is free for the spectators. No pit pass, no grandstand ticket, no grass seats. Free. Among those spectators are die hard boat racing fans, casual fans and locals looking for something to do on a weekend. We need to reel these casual fans and locals in. We need to give them and EVENT. In my mind, the racing as it is currently orchestrated is fine. It is all the other activities that need to be improved. How do we get a dad to bring his kids to the pits on Saturday to check out the cool boats & maybe get some hero cards and autographs and maybe a team t-shirt?

There are NEVER enough to justify three races.You cant compromise an entire race event to cater to one or two racers who want to race in more than one boat.Nothing personal,just we need to improve our racing product!

It can be up to over 1/2 dozen+ racers doing double duty these days. If the double duty is not allowed, the trickle effect will be a smaller boat count. It's a double edge sword.

The justification is the site organizers specifically asking for 3 races. It's all about revenue. When you add another race you are adding up to 2 more hours to the venue. This is allowing the vendors to make more money. If the vendors don't make money, they don't come back, hence races don't come back. It really is all about the $$$.

I know this might be a little cliche, but racing really is like a circus. You need you ringmaster, your center stage acts and the clowns. Also, let's not forget the beer guy and the people selling hot dogs, peanuts & popcorn. If we cannot not figure out a way to make ALL parties happy, why even bother then. So yes racing it the MAIN attraction, but if the people working the event cannot make money there won't be a race event period.

But then again, aren't you the one that is suggesting to add more classes to OPA? When would you be expecting this SOB class to run?

I wanna be a clown put me down for 1 clown suite please!!! Extra big shoes