Hollis, dude, you're killin me here with the "entry level" thing. Ok, bad choice of words. How about "Sportsman level" racing?
Ben and I had a lot of fun last year at Marathon, and didn't do too bad considering we had a pleasure boat with way too much fuel. This year should be a blast.
Who knows, that old gal might get fast enough to run P3 someday. If it does, you and Louise better run & hide cause I'm commin after your title.

last year , Dee said it was easier to post the points just like the pro series. other than that there wouldn't't be much more effort in making the point tabulate for national rater than divisional. at that point i don't see the added expense.

Why dosent offshore powerboat racing follow the structure that other forms of motorsports utilize for divisional and national racing classes.NASCAR,NHRA , SCCA and other motorsports sanctioning bodies have certain classes or series that are national, and others that are divisional, regional or local.For instance, in NASCAR there are three national touring series(classes):Winston Cup,Busch and Craftsman Truck that compete on a national circut for national points championships.There are numerous other series(classes)that compete on a divisional, regional or local basis for divisional,regional or local points championships such as the NASCAR Modifieds, Busch Grand National North and Winston West.In NHRA, its Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro-Stock on a national basis, and numerous Sportsman classes on a divisional, regional or local basis.The purpose of the divisional series or classes is to provide a place for racers who race for fun...or a proving ground for racers looking to move up to a national pro class or series.These classes are supposed to be a feeder system to the national pro classes.SCCA does the same thing with their regional club classes with the national champions being determined at a winner take all race at the end of the season.The original APBA Sportsman A,B,C & D classes were set up this way, and that the way it should be now in my opinion.I also would like to see P-Class changed to "Sportsman" and use the A,B,C,D & E designations.....and do away with the PX/PV classes.If want to race for a national championship, build a boat for SC, SCL, SV, SVL or F.Just my opinion.

I think that is where the APBA is going waterboy2...I think that is why they are making the racers on the pro tour compete in two regional this year...I think they want to build the fan base at the local level first. they do have a master plan to grow this motorsport...and have made the statements to the effect of removing the 'hobby' from the offshore pro tour. i hear from racers all the time, they want this sport to grow. but many of the same racers are holding it back.

it's really hard as a fan to figure out who's racing who out there!...when you have a bat boats, cats, and big OL in the same class...

I won't tell the boss you said that , she's a pretty fiesty gal ya know - haha - BH

don't get it...what gal?

why then do they have p-classes at national events? if this is such a problem then don't have them at national events.
now how many boats would you have racing? would you like going to any other motor sport event if you knew the field was cut in half. we/apba need numbers to sell,more boats at a race more sponcer decals, more fans,bigger is better.
this is about national points for p-class. if you put the effort into being at national races and supporting the sport by being there putting on the show then recognize that effort with national points. if you decide to run two races in your division then so be it.

more to follow....

Many people don't know we're throttled by a chick - she's the real deal - BH

i don't think the boat numbers are the answer. the size of the class and how close the racing is more important. quality not quanity. bigger is not always better. right now p class is a filler class from a standpoint of the APBA's actions. look,, randy and BJ got more coverage in F1 than even the bacardi silver boat did in p class! and they should, they are the real deal!

Well stated. You should have to prove yourself in all types of water, and there are only 7 pro races up to that point.