How about this format:
2 National classes:Super Cat and Super Vee
Marketing and T.V. coverage would be focused on Super Cat and Super Vee.
8 National races:2 in the southeast,2 in the northeast,2 in the central,and 2 in the west.
National races would be held in conjunction with divisional races including all other classes...divisional race on Saturday, national race on Sunday.
Divisional class structure should include true entry level classes.
4 to 6 divisional races each; in the southeast,northeast,central and west.
National high point champions in Super Cat and Super Vee
Divisional high point champions in all other classes.

All boats invited to "The Nationals" in Key West in November.

I think the entry fee for the Baja 1000 is to LIMIT the entries. I don't think we have that problem yet.

I also think that a few of us assume all the racers want a "NASCAR" event. That requires true Professionals and a full 365 day committment that most of us wouldn't do. I am perfectly fine flipping the bill to race but don't believe in entry fees and love to see equipment fees gone. if the city is making $$ off of the event racers should get paid first. OPA has got it going on and I don't hear the OPA *****ing. I think we need 3 OPA regions East, West, South and a single Worlds. Based on the current OPA numbers that would be about 250 boats.. We just need more Smitty's, Augie's and Ron P.'s to set up the other regions. But that is a taller order! let's not swing for the fences, just a bunch of singles and doubles would go a long way..

2 days of racing would have to be determined on how many boats you actually have racing. If it doesn't warrant it, I would prefer to see 1 day of racing.

On the other hand, if it works best for the towns to have a 2 day event so be it!

Just remember, it costs more for 2 day events.

For racing to ever have a chance nationaly it has to be both coasts.
The Vegas race was one of the coolest due to the backdrop of the desert. and seeing the POPRA guys there was cool as well.

Tim,

SBI/APBA has paying race sites. As far as sanctioning fees and what they actualy pay, I dont know the specific amount. I remember when I first started racing, Pt Pleasant was a national race site for SBI. I think I heard 2 factors killed it(heresay) 1 the race being on a friday, 2 the town wasnt paying anymore. Why did OPA move down to Ortley a year or two ago, Pt PLeasant wouldnt come up with the money if I read it correctly here on OSO. JC gets approx 2-3 calls a month from potential race sites. Why dont all of them become race sites, maybe the price tag is too big, the city doesnt have the facilities to host the event, etc, I really dont know. Come up with some paying race sites anywhere in this country and I am sure he will put it on his schedule somewhere.It would be nice to be able to travel and be on a "National" tour. But come to think of it, when you are barely breaking even wouldnt it be smarter to keep it close to home and keep travel expenses down until the racers wake up and get on the program and then the sponsors would come and make it feasable to leave the state. I know when I started my business, I put a range from home until I reached certain financial goals, then I expanded.

You make some valid points, but it sure would be nice to hear from some of those guys that race in, as Pete puts it "Group A"

Trent

I raced cars and motorcycles, both dragracing, paid a track fee of about $5.00, How could I gripe. If you were in the largest offroad race with big sponsors and TV coverage, how come you still had to pay? Thats what the secret is right ? Big sponsors and TV? Didn't someone sponsor you? We are a traveling show, not only do we draw fans, we bring money into the area's. Why on earth would you want to pay to race or perform for that matter?

Just curious Trent. Are you speaking on behalf of JC/SBI? Suddenly, you are just a wealth of knowledge since Frank took some time off from the board.

Actually, SBI ran two races in PP back then. one in May which was on a Sunday (usually bad weather ) and the other was in July or August (?), which was actually on a Wednesday (WHY Wednesday?:confused: ). One reason PP lost interest in racing was because they were promised a significant boat count, which did not quite turn out to what was expected.

Maybe someone can get JC's actual opinion on things and find out exactly what he sees in the future. Do you think you can do that Trent?

All this talk is great, but its going nowhere if JC is satisfied with the current state of offshore racing.

I see him reading all this and grinnig because he holds the cards and hes not showing his hand. Does anyone really know what JC wants? I think, hes perfectly happy with 30 boats at a race. Low overhead and he controls it all without having to hire more help. At the end of the day, I think he's making a pretty good living. I find it hard to believe that SBI is just "barely breaking even. "

However, Its his business and hes entitled to do whatever he wants. Cant blame him for that.

This thread is a waste of time if JC doesnt comment on it.

Sorry to be negative on a positive thread. I just think we're pissin into the wind.

Lets not look at what killed our sport. Lets look at how to better it. As long as the leaders of both groups are happy with what they have. It will be a long time before we come together.

Remember this. Things look great on the surface. If the bills dont get paid, eventually the business fails. look at the past and remember it for the future.

Fire Away :blaster:

Thanks Pete,
This going to be the begining of the best racing in history.
Louie

Sharkey and Pete B,

I have mostly sat back and observed this thread, even when I felt the desire to chime in. I don't race anymore, nor do I plan to anytime soon - I assume that you two are in the same proverbial "boat".

I respectfully ask you to let those with a vested interest in the sports (i.e. - $$) lead this thread in whatever direction. The racers (OPA, SBI/APBA & OSS) are doing a good job of asking and answering the tough questions.......... let's leave it to them.

How about it? Otherwise, I suppose you are trying to destroy a very positive discussion in a sandbox that you generally avoid.

Sponsors help but there not the be all end all. even in my best year racing, with being on espn and speedvision, winning the #2 plate in the nation, having unsolicited parts show up ups with a note that says "please try this, see if you can break it" etc. I still spent about 30K. Actually making money racing much less brealing even is a true rarity in any form of motorsports. everyone keeps talking about nascar, theres what about 30 or so teams activly racing. As opposed to how many people racing roundy round at the local 3/8ths oval??

The bottom line is 99% of the people out there racing any given vehicle in this country be it car boat motorcyle airplane etc . do it because they love doing, its there form of recreation, thier idea of fun. and most of them pay thru the nose for it.

The biggest cost of racing, which Im suprised hasnt been mentioned yet is what the promotors pay for insurance. I close friend of mine, before he died was a race promoter.. his full time job. at the time entry fees were $35, averaging 80 to 100 partcipants, $5 from each racer went to funding rescue and $20 for insurance leaving $ for promoting the next event, logistical support, radio network, travel, equipment and upkeep, the little he had left after that paid his rent and put food in his stomach. I shudder to thing what the insurance costs are incase one of thos 12,000 chunks of fiberglass and carbon fiber doing 160 mph looses it and takes out a spectator boat with 15 people on it, or an officials boat or one of the race boats decides to burn to the waterline in the pits taking half a marina with it.

As for Wahoo...Sal Fish (Mr. score) would have skateboards racing baja if he thought there was 10 cents to be made. unles your one of the big trophy truck teams or a couple of the class one teams. he really doesnt care about you in the least as long as he gets his entry fee. Case in point, a friend was mowed down racing an atv by a class 1 buggy in san felipe. not only was there ZERO investigation into the incident despite easily identfiable paint all over the quad and rider, but score refuse to transport him via helicpter states side claiming broken ribs, and internal bleeding wasnt life threatening. Now had a trophy truck driver been scratched by a bush, he would be getting first rate medical care.

Sorry for rambeling just trying to shed some light on racing as a whole, not just boats.