OPC Updates, Changes, and Rumors for 2007

[Howie Nichols]

Here's the rumor mill, what else is new out there???

Donnie Lick bought Torrente's 120, 60 stuff still for sale...

Kevin Ladd bought Landgraf's 120 sold the 45 to ???

Tammy Wolf bought a new Pugh for 60

Mike Hooper bought Brian Sheriff's 60 rig

Marc Johnson bought a 60 motor, and is building a new boat

Paul Orchard bought Paul Hickey's 60 stuff

Gordon Downard bought a 2nd 60 rig (George Galloway;s Hoffman)

Rob Dininc has his 120 ready to go and will race the 45 too

Burkhardt has a 120 rig with the 45 for sale

Howie Nichols selling all his 60 equipment??? going 120 or CHAMP or just getting new 60 stuff is the mystery for the year???

CHAMP series is offering a very interesting new package for the 120 class in 2007 as well as continuing with the Mercury Sponsorship of CHAMP class

Terry Rinker has a new Aero slot on order....

Shaun Torrente getting another Grand Prix from Bruce B.

Hooters sponsorship lost for all with Lee Ramsey retiring

Mike Floyd getting his Flyer ready, repairing the Caniff and running 120 for a while. 60 boat repairs last on the list

Series website's both very quiet right now, lets make some noise about OPC here!!

What changes do you want for 2007? 2008? Let your commissioners know so they can get it on the agenda for the LA meeting.

[john miffco]

thanks howie ,,,,,,,,
for the updates and rumors ,,,,,,,
seems that we are adding some 120s and 60s for 2007
since we lost more drivers than we gained this yr
this is good news

i was only able to attend 4 races this yr like a lot of others
that just could not afford the increased travel expenses

our sport series here is working with champ boat series
and are working out new locations and better incentives for the 2007 season,,,
so hopefully we here something soon
so we can plan our season out

so far we have added on a new location in orange tx
along with the port neches event
for the champ season of events for 120 ,45 and tri hulls

with the other web sites ,,quiet ,,,there is no discussion pages left
so here is the perfect forum for discussions and opc 2007 requests

as stated talk with your region commissioners or here to discuss your thoughts
and we can take them to the table for you ,,,,,

i have a potential newcomer for 120 to buy my 2005 boat
and will be building a new 1 to race 120 and some champ

also have a promoter from australia that i have been working with
we are trying to get sponsor money collected to get him here to race a few events with us

also tracy hawkins is wanting to get back into a 120 boat
so we are working on that also,,,,

see you in la howie
john

[DKL]

Hello ALL,
Long time Lurker coming out
I am a fellow Texan here in the Houston area (North side) possibly interested in getting started out racing
could John or someone give me a run down on what races are held in TX,LA. area . I am trying to decide whether to get into this as a hobby, I have been to several races and the sport C and SST45 apeal to me most. It's a big investment to have a boat just sitting on a trailer with no where to race it.
I have been told racing in Tx .IS DYING OUT what a shame for the largest state to have such a small race fan and racer base anymore with so many lakes available for venues.

Are their Boats (used ) available in this area to get started out at a reasonable cost? any info. would be appreciated.
Thanks
Doug

[john miffco]

doug
boat racing has been taking a hard toll with the economy across the usa
here in houston area we have been working hard for 2007

we have the sport racing series and partner with the national champ series and pro tunnel tour
the sport series race sst 120 & 45s and tri hull class

we have a full season of racing here in texas
and the tri hulls have grown in the last few yrs
i have built 16 new 1s so far with 3 new builds this winter for 2007
so it has grown
its a great class,,,less expense and a lot of fun,,,,,

mark hamilton & tracy will be joining in 120 with 3 others from lubbock area
and so far 1 new driver for 45 and the ppt 45s joining at 2 events

so looks like a good field of starters to join the boats we already have

even added on 2 new venues for next yr
1 in orange with the champ series and another in lubbock

we welcome newcomers and hope you will join in
have new and used equiptment available in all classes
give me a shout & i can fill you in more
john

[spn#43]

I know of 5 top drivers from the past making a comeback to a Champ plus at least 2-3 guys stepping up.

[Miss BK]

Come on ...spill the beans Page! :p
I'd love to hear this scoop! Who? who? WHO? :eek:

Also - there has been some activity lately on the APBA news page, even though it's December. It's good to see people still submitting info to be posted this late!

I know things will really slow down soon, tho. So if you've got anything -pictures, new sponsor info, club meeting recaps, etc., we'd love to share them with all the other groups. Email APBA WEBSITE NEWS (news@apba-racing.com) .

Reminder: If you are a current APBA member and are NOT getting the monthly APBA E-alert Newsletter (via email), be sure to contact APBA headquarters (apbahq@apba-racing.com) with your name and e-mail address so they can put you in the database.



"Thank you" to everyone here for all the rumors and tidbits to make us look forward to next season! It really will be great to see former champion Tracy Hawkins come back full time -- watch out F2 class! He'll be one to watch!


Val

[spn#43]

Come on ...spill the beans Page! :p
I'd love to hear this scoop! Who? who? WHO? :eek:

Val

It’s second or third hand rumor so I can’t go public with it…:D ..and 120 guys going to Champ….I’ll leave that one to them.:)
BTW you got PM ;) ;)

[Ron Hill]

I spelled that wrong, but what has happened to him? In 1997, he had the fastest 120, in Bay City, I ever saw. Started last, and in a lap and a half was way out front...

Is he still racing? Dad's name was Randy!!!

[Ron Hill]

How about a 60 MPH GPS for NATIONAL TRI HULL????


How about fishing rods in 45???

How about PRO, HALF THE PRICE, MARINE pistons in 45???

How about a National Nostalgia Outboard Class with GPS SPEED of 80....????

[Howie Nichols]

JR & Randy are still in Tampa, FL. They have their 120 rig up for sale at this time for around $13 or 14000. I believe they want to race but to many other committments and not enough $ at this point.

[john miffco]

was just was on the phone with jr saturday
they think they have a buyer for the boat,,,so it might be back on the water for 2007

they had 2 babys real close together and the mtg business is tight
so like a lot of us they just cannot afford to race
he got a travel trailer and hes playing the daddy role,,,,,,

i keep trying to get him to scratch the itch,,,,
we havent seen the last of him

we need to work on bill may,,,,,
miss him on the water,,,,,
john

[Ron Hill]

We need boats on the water...Formula 150's can go 130..Why not a national Nostalgia Tunnel Class??? Speed Limit 100!!!!

IS HOWARD PIPKORN AND I THE ONLY OUTBOARDERS WHO understand bracket RACING?

Thanks for the up date on JR.....Didn't his dad race Sport C??? (At one time)....

Grass Roots/Nostalgia Racing is NEEDED!

[spn#43]

..Why not a national Nostalgia Tunnel Class??? Speed Limit 100!!!!!

Speed limit on a race boat????????? WHY???:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Roy Hodges]

Speed limit on a race boat????????? WHY???:confused: :confused: :confused:
Look at the pics in your post above . C A P S U L E boats=high priced boats ! Most of the racers running these boats wont even try to race , unless someone ELSE is footing the bills. the idea behind the fat C class,is to be slow enough to avoid capsules ,canopys , and national budget busting costs . Just try to remember the old Sport D , sport E , & sport g classes . They used to have great turn outs . what caused them to die? I'm sure the drivers enjoyed them .I think there are a lot of sport e rigs that would race again, but only if they were allowed to run
as they used to , without the owners having to spend big $ to get started . Like it or not $ talks bull sh*t walks. And EVERYONE has a price limit on what they will or can spend. OTHERwise, we'd all be running unlimiteds , if cost was no object .

[Ron Hill]

The last I checked there seems to be less than 100 Professional Drag Racers anymore...but there are more than 100,000 Bracket racers.

I WATCHED A PRETTY BORING FORMULA 150 RACE AT PARKER, THANKSGIVING. THREE BOATS going between 110-120...One of he Formula 150's was a 120... Starts didn't matter because the fastest could catch the others pretty fast...I also felt, that the size of the course and their speed, if there was a blow over, there was a good chance for injury....Slowing these boat to 100 would have tighten the field...

A casual observer saw that there wasn't much of a race, lucky they only ran three laps...

On the other hand, about ten Flat Bottoms running ten laps at 80 Speed Limit, not only put on a good race, that had to get good starts, that had to make good turns, hey had to hold their lanes, and they had to control their speed...accelleration is important....

You don't need a great PROP, JUST A GOOD ONE....ALL THE NOSTALGIA FLATS AND ENDURANCE gys seemed to be having a GREAT time...They came for the weekend and they were racing thier boats....They won't have to go home and rebuild an engine before they race next month...
What is the difference between an 8,500 RPB Rev Limiter and a GPS speed Limit????

The IRL runs rev limiters...NASCAR runs restrictor plates....

I have an S-3000 that just cost $1,547 for repairs...We ran it 300 miles in the ENDURO, and at 80 MPH in Nostalgia we can run it all year and in next year's Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro... One S-3000 would be lucky to make it through one Champboat Race....

No equipment was broken.....no engines blown....

[Miss BK]

I'll probably get a lot of grief for this....but I'd like to give everyone something to think about...

As a person who witnessed what happened back when 900lb 80-90 mph circle boats ran over each other or corkscrewed on top the driver before we FINALLY got capsules and began saving these peoples lives, there's no way my conscious could support a 100mph non-capsuled circle class. I think this is a very bad idea. At least in drag racing they have greatly cut down the chance of those types of deadly collisions, but in circle racing, you can't expect to avoid this.

You can't run a "race" with the expectation that everyone will consistantly travel in a perfect line, or stay within a perfect lane. I got hurt when a guy I was passing lost his steering and slammed into the back half of my boat -- If he had hit 2 feet further up, I might have died -- in a 65 mph collision!!! Speed rarely matters in those kinds of incidents. Neither one of us had a capsule.

A casket costs more than a capsule. A hospital bill costs more than a capsule. If I was going to buy a boat again for anyone in my family, I would certainly buy a capsule so we could avoid those horrible scenes. When you take into account the injuries you'll avoid, capsuled race boats are NOT more expensive than non-capsuled boats.

The main difference is that you can't use a capsule boat to take your family out on weekends. And I think that's the real push on this issue --- to get more pleasure boats to behave like race boats - which IMO, is only helping boat racing go backwards.

When people want to get involved in CAR RACING, they don't want to be racing against your personal car - they want to race against your RACE CAR. When people come to a boat race, they want to see RACE boats, not pleasure boats. Sure, pleasure boaters want to race each other and will get excited to be a part of something like this, just like kids have fun entering their family car in the street drags - but at what cost?

Just something to think about...


PS - Sport E died long before they were asked to go capsule. That's the class I wanted to start in, but when Region 12 only had 2 left running in 1986, I changed my mind. They were cheap to buy. So what happened ??

[DKL]

Hello, I posted earlier about the possibility of getting into this sport,After a lenghty conversation with John (Miffco) last night (thanks John) I am giving it some serious thought. That being said,I must admit I have racing experience, just not with boats. As a outsider looking in, like many do ,I would like to make a few comments.
As a family man with a full time job ,I would be doing this for fun first and foremost. Safety is my primary concern ,cost to get into a new hobby and a place to participate in it is second. As with anything these days it's not cheap to play. In order to attract new people to this sport there has to be a starting place,mini GT and sport C are great with minimal cost. Adults and teens can race with fun lower cost boats. Unfortunately we do not have those classes where I live( Texas).So whats available? Tri-Hull ,sst45 sst120,
which is great. I personally like the idea of capsules,I think the safer the better. that is why I am considering SST45'S ,I think the trihulls are great but have evolved into a more competative class ,although the cost is not to bad
The 120's are not a beginner class IMO.

I guess what I am saying is there needs to be more affordable beginner class's running stock lower cost engines to get people started out,then I think there will be a natural urge to move up to the faster costlier boats,pass the equipment along to new racers.
It's like asking a Go cart racer to step into a Nascar,their just not ready to do that safely ,there has to be a progression up the ladder.
Does this make any sense? I am happy to hear your comments and suggestions.

Doug

[Roy Hodges]

What is the difference between an 8,500 RPB Rev Limiter and a GPS speed Limit????

The IRL runs rev limiters...NASCAR runs restrictor plates....

I have an S-3000 that just cost $1,547 for repairs...We ran it 300 miles in the ENDURO, and at 80 MPH in Nostalgia we can run it all year and in next year's Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro... One S-3000 would be lucky to make it through one Champboat Race....

No equipment was broken.....no engines blown....[/QUOTE]

I'd like to add to this : In 1976 ,when Bob Larson& buddies(including Paul Bender) won the Parker 9 hour enduro , they did it by running conservative . They would always drop the motor (power up & down ) when it would start to go over 6000 rpm. It had a stock 200 horse powerhead on an adapter to a 4 cylinder race engine . with a big foot lower unit unit (race unit) Ray Nydahl made the( powerhead) adapter. Paul said they never went over 100 mph.

[spn#43]

When people want to get involved in CAR RACING, they don't want to be racing against your personal car - they want to race against your RACE CAR. When people come to a boat race, they want to see RACE boats, not pleasure boats.


Exactly!!!
Why is that (to some people) so hard to understand?
Racing is racing,,,speed limit in racing?????That’s like tying a short rope between athlete’s legs and sending him to run 100m dash....:eek: What’s next turn signals???:rolleyes:

Boat racing without safety capsule?
I do a lot of stupid stuff in my life like riding my bike at 185+ mph on a regular bases, never driving race boat of any kind and jumping right in to the 350+ hp Champ Boat ...etc, but I would NEVER consider racing a non capsule boat,,, that's just suicidal.

[Roy Hodges]

send the rest of us the money to get Capsule boats. Were not LOADED like you guys. Thats the main reason, $ - you people cant get that through your thick skulls .

[Ron Hill]

I'm suggesting Formula 150's with capsules, just a 100 MPH SPEED LIMIT..

How fast would a Champ Boat go without a rev limiter??? What's the difference???

I made more at the 1967 Havasu Outboard World Championships than was paid out in Champboat this year, I think...AND I HAD a 17 foot Glastron that went 67 MPH...But I beat the other 107 boats...

Maybe Steve David makes a lvinging racing boats, but last I heard he still sold real estate in Florida...THE SPORT IS FOR FAMILY, FUN, AND FRIENDS...

When BK lived in California, that is what we had....She asked "What happened??" Later...

[spn#43]

send the rest of us the money to get Capsule boats. Were not LOADED like you guys. Thats the main reason, $ - you people cant get that through your thick skulls .
Yeah ok,,,,:rolleyes:

I'm suggesting Formula 150's with capsules, just a 100 MPH SPEED LIMIT..
Why don’t you ask people that are involved with F-150 about their opinion on speed limit at 100 mph?
PS; I would suggest a new rule in APBA; if you are not a “current” racer you are NOT allowed to make any suggestions or decisions regarding racing.

How fast would a Champ Boat go without a rev limiter??? What's the difference???
Ask any “prop” guy he should know the answer to that one. ;)

[Miss BK]

I know the sport is for family, fun and friends - that was very important to me back when I was racing too - having a closeness with other people who have the same passion as me - and spending time with them even when we weren't at the races. I even got a Christmas card today from a retired racer I haven't seen in over a decade! That's the kind of deep bonds you make.

But you know, they say that same exact thing at the little league park, at the bowling alley, the Kart track, Michigan Hot Boats etc - the same exact phrase: "These people are all like family", "We do this just to have fun".

Even the guys at the Civil War reenactments told me they were "one big family", getting together each weekend throughout the summer, and this is how they all have "fun". I remember thinking, "Yes! I know what that is like!"

But it also reminded me that boat racing doesn't have a lock on "family, fun, & friends" even though it seems that way-- so we need to make sure we keep up whatever it is that attacts people to "BOAT RACING" in the first place - because we tend to forget that the "family & friends" part doesn't automatically come attached to the membership card - those bonds have to develop over time and that's what gets you hooked for life - knowing you are a member of a very special clique.

We just need to make sure we continue to attract people to boat racing; The boat racing part is what separates us from the other varieties of clubs.

[Ron Hill]

Brad Stellyman came up with the idea and ran it passed Ross. The idea was getting people to come to the races, take part, maybe learn to DRIVE/RACE, not kill themselves, not go broke....

I'll be the frist to admit I THOUGHT, "WHAT THE HELL???"

Bakersfield
Parker
Long Beach
Burley, ID
Bakersfield
Parker

Five races this 2006 season....That Nostalgia Raced...Between Nostalgia Flat Bottom and Nostalgia Endurance, but have 80 MHP Speed Limits, I'd venture a guess that SCSC has had 120 entires for the six races in Nostalgia...

Now, I don't know about your club's finances, but looking at the Propeller Magazine it appears that any club in APBA could use an EXTRA 120 entries for the year, especially if these entries brought about $200 per weekend, per boat...I don't have the real numbers or the real income AND I DON'T CARE. What I see is people "RACING"...I just bought a new boat for Nostalgia Outboard and John Lane bought a Sleek Craft for Nostalgia Outboard and I know Fyremanbill wants to race Nostalgia Outboard...

I along with Bill Curtis are willing to bet by year's end (2007) we'll have 10 Nostalgia Outboards...

My Concept of Formula 150 nostalgia, would b to give people a training ground to FASTER BOATS....Fred Bowden started racing a Taylor Mod VP and 150 Jonhson... We really don't have a MINOR LEAGUE ANYMORE...

Major Bob e-MAILED ME THE OTHER DAY, SAYING HOW HE ALWAYS LIKED CALIFORNIA RACERS BECAUSE WE SHARED OUR SECRETS...Now a days, people don't even introduce the OPC VP at the Nationals driver's meeting.
New people come in and we sell them JUNK. We don't help new people...We want new people to BEAT, not to RACE...

My dad spent a LIFE TIME making sure everyone in California ran legal. He also spent a life time building motors, th best he could, for anyone...

Thanks GOD, for Bill Curtis, or we wouldn't have raced 45 a Parker last THANKSGIVING...I don't know how to rig a 45....Bill rigged it for my son, Broc. Chad knows how, but he's teaching and remodeling his house...

The Ed Lanes, Dick Sherrers, Ted Mays, Russ Hills are around in all Regions...anymore... Truth is, Pop Curtis helps damn near everyone in 45, in region 12.

Guys buy stuff, wreck and quit....unless they have a Bill Curtis helping them....
What happened to the GOOD OLD DAYS, they were last year!!! 2006 was the best boat racing I've ever seen in region 12....You can quote me on that!!!!

Cracker Box (16)
Super Stock (10)
GN (8)
Pro Comp (8)
K Boats m(6)
Nostalgia Flat Bottom (10)
Nostalgia Endurance (10)...Outboards and Jets
SST 45 (14)

Kneelers A (4),20 (4)and C (4)...Sometimes...

NUMBERS IN ( ) ARE AVERAGE ENTRIES FOR THE SEASON...MY GUESSES...

NOBODY HAS TO RACE NOSTALGIA, I JUST SEE IT AS AN OPTION FOR SOME OF US SENIORS AND JUNIORS, TOO!!!!

ADD: At The Bluewater RESORT AND CASINO 300 ENDURO, WE HAD RED ZONES IN THE CORNERS, A MAN DOESN'T HAVE DRIVE LIKE A LOON IN THE CORNERS...NOSTALGIA RACES WANT TO RACE AGAIN, NEXT WEEKEND.

[Ron Hill]

Let me say this about Sport C. If you go to Region 11, there are: Jim Corsaut, Isleton's New Mayor, Dave Wilson, Old "C" Stock racer, R.J. West, Frank "OLD SCHOOL TEACHER" Banducci, Jim Breslin, Jolly Waite, Stu Townend, Ron Davies...and I'm blanking on about six more drivers, who come to most of the races, who help each other, who loan each other stuff, who go to Play Days at places like Lake XXX, and generally have fun...These Sport C Racers may not have "COOL FACTOR" but they also work the judgestand, the patrol boats.....and like the 36 racers of years gone by, are FRQUENTLY looked down upon by "REAL RACERS".....

When is he last time a "REAL PROFESSIONAL" racer worked in a patrol boat...Cracker Box racer work the stand...Dan Schwartz works the inspection area... Jean Mackay Schwartz works the judgesstand and races A Hydro.

Half the kneeldown racers at the Winter Nationals, a couple of years ago, couldn't believe that I was driving the "KICKER" patrol boat...Hell, what else could I do???...Bill Boyes's son, Matt, quit racing to RUN the race, as no one else was running it...

Too many sit around and say I want to go a 140 and I want money for it.....Problem is, you don't get paid to race, racing cost money and equipment breaks at 140 a lot faster than at, say 100...

Let's see....Bakersfield..we bar-b-qued all day and won a QUALIFIER.

Parker, we "KICKED IT" and ejoyed the racing..AND wona Qualifier..

Indio, we won 8 of 11 including the 45 SS Maraton Nationals.

Chowchilla, we "SUCKED"

Long Beach we were stressed because we had a wedding..and we ran one lap and broke.

San Diego was cool except we tipped over on the PARADE LAP... and Chad almost got eletrocuted from his kill switch (NO REALLY)...We were fast, but didn't last...

Bakersfield we "CRASHED UP"....On the first lap.

The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 we won and got in Powerboat Magazine....

Broc and I raced at Parker Thanksgiving, Chad didn't...We had a great year....of RACING...Chad went 83 MPH once!!!!

AND, we'll be back...two 45 rigs, one Nostalgia Outboard..and my C Hydro...well....maybe my Fat C...

Remember there are 100,000 bracket drag racers in AMERICA and less than 100 PROFESSIONAL DRAG RACERS...

We need you all, just keep Nostalgia in your mind...

[TABARARACING]

What attracts me to boat racing is the awesome factor in the machines and the challenge on the coarse. I think we all have an obligation to the sport and to those who have been involved in the past in boat racing to help the sport succeed.
When I go to a boat race, I want to see the most lightweight badass power making boats out there. I don't want to see anything but that. If its not high reving, loud w/ active passing (yes, not a parade), then what entertainment value do we offer to the people who come watch?
We have an obligation to entertain spectators, not ourselves. If you can't entertain others, the hope of growing and soliciting new members is an uphill battle.
Lately the trend is, shorten the coarse, congest everyone, and keep the motors in one piece. I understand the thought, but it really makes for a more boring race in the long run. Passing is almost non existent today in boat racing; I'd like to see long straightaways 1 pin. Let the passing begin;
Brian
PS: Throwing a right hand turn in there sounds fun too. Drivers will figure it out as they go. The coarse is the same for everyone!

[Ron Hill]

At our races, a K Boat's engine might cost $160,000 and when it is running it shakes the ground...I went testing with Rankin, Dave Bryan and gordy, The Real K Boat King and they were making passes at 125 MPH to 140 MPH...They were getting ready for the KILOS, which next year's K Boat Kilo record will be over 170 MPH....Now, how BAD *** do you want it??? (They were testing with divers, and full safety crew...Nothing MIC...KEY MOU..USE here)...K Boat run for SPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!USUALLY!!!!

Competition is what we all want...

Hell, 16 Cracker Boxes, with $35,000 engines is enough to scared the PRUNES out of me...

Draw a line in he sand...I don't want to go very fast, but I want to go to the races.....On the other side...K BOATS go 140 MPH and turn at the corners....It frightens me to think I made the props for some of these MONSTERS!!!!

I'm just saying that SOLAR BOATS at 7 MPH are as important, to the races, as anything.....What does it hurt to have a bunch of OLD HOWARD PIPKORNS racing at yoru races???

ADD; I once watched Chris Bush drive a Burgess Formula One Tunnel around the St. Louis course, for one full lap on the prop......IMPRESSIVE isn't the word...Now days, with a rev limiter, he'd just blow over..But Chris is back in Formula 150, we need aaaaaaaaall old boat racers and new ones...

[Ron Hill]

Just between you and Me, Doug, I'd get a TRI HULL...Because, when you ain't racing you could go jump waves at the local lake and also come and Race THE BLUE WATER RESORT AND CASINO 300 Enduro..as a TRI HULL is a LEGAL DIVISION I Boat... and John Miffco could keep you running up front and I'll loan you props...

[john miffco]

i commend ron hill and every1 that is on this site

this is what we need,,,,,,,,
to let it all out,,,,,,,

we all have opinions
and what we want to see in the future
without forgetting the past that has brought us to where we are today

we have non capsule boats and drivers in catagories that have been around for yrs these boats are mainly built with maximum performance in mind
and i really respect their guts they have to get in 1 and drive their *** off,,,,,

then we have newer versions with capsules with the drivers safety in mind for the higher g forces in the turns ,potential rolls and blowovers

i used to drag unlimited o/b with my homemade thin light hull,,in the 80s
i blew over a couple times,,,,and the last time i got hurt,,,3 surguries to walk right again, didnt race for 10yrs,,,
the itch got me back in a capsule boat,,,,i personally feel safer,,,i was tee boned last yr when i spun out in corner,,,,sheered off my front sponsom and he deflected off my capsule,,,, i drove the boat to shore,,got out unhurt
as val stated,,,,if that capsule was not there i would not have been able to walk away
so me personally i like my capsule
but unlike spn i am not going to slam another fellow boater for their choice of boat or opinion

ron and this web site is to throw out ideas for boat racings future
rev limiters,speed limits,,,whatever it takes to find a nitch to get newcomers in the sport,,,,,

i like our tri hull class for 50 mph affordable,,bumper boat fun
and my capsule boat for high flying over100 fun
i love watching all the other classes have their fun
thats me and my opinion
slam me if you feel to its your choice

also the comment(someone that is not a driver should not have a voice )
just who do you think is the owners of all the regional and national series,officials,promoters,sponsors,APBA orginazation,ect???????????????
without them,,,,there would be no racing
so thank you all,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
john

[DKL]

Anyone with a sst45 in Tx OR La./Okla. for sale reasonable I would be interested ,older ok,something to get start out with. John I am interested in the boats we spoke about if you can put me in touch with the owners.
Mr. Hill did you buy that red one of the classifieds in Mo.? Nice boat

Doug

[spn#43]

but unlike spn i am not going to slam another fellow boater for their choice of boat or opinion
:mad: What the hell are you talking about???? Where is "slamig"?

ron and this web site is to throw out ideas for boat racings future
rev limiters,speed limits,,,whatever it takes to find a nitch to get newcomers in the sport,,,,,

Ideas like "speed limit" can only hurt racing, and if we were talking about some other sport I would laugh my a$$ of on that one, but its sport that I absolutely love and ideas like that scare me.

also the comment(someone that is not a driver should not have a voice )
just who do you think is the owners of all the regional and national series,officials,promoters,sponsors,APBA orginazation,ect???????????????
without them,,,,there would be no racing
so thank you all,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
john

Maybe that’s the reason why all of the boat racing (except for Champ) is going only backwards????

PS; What exactly is wrong with Formula-150, why it needs changes????

[rossdbos]

First the speed limit thing that Ron is trying to get across is not hurting boat racing in fact it has helped tremendously with "feeder" classes. Will it work in all forms of boat racing, absolutely not, but don't knock it. Over the past four years both Nostalgia Flat and Nostaglia Endurance, on the West Coast, has been run as a local class, 80mph speed limit, GPS and all safety gear makes the "run what you brung" classes and helps get those on the sidelines that are thinking about racing into the sport without going out and spending a ton of money for something that they may not be able to financially, mentally or physically handle.

I don't think in any encapsulated classes or any existing APBA classes having a speed limit would be advisable but for beginner classes that encourage those that have similar type pleasure/racing boats that can basically get safety gear, pass safety inspection and go out and try their hand at racing. The beauty is that they already own their own boat so the initial cost is already handled.

Usually what happens is that after 1 or 2 years in the Nostalgia ranks some get restless with the speed limitation and then make the commitment to start racing existing APBA classes but by this time they have valuable "seat time" and a basic understanding of racing thus the "feeder" system. There are some that really enjoy the "bracket" style that Nostalgia offers and choose to continue racing it.

Again for existing APBA classes I wouldn't support a speed limitation but on novice or local classes whose purpose is to get new membership involved in a "catch all" type class it works great.
Hope this sheds some light on what the "speed limitation" is about.

Last, not that they didn't deserve it, but having one team decimate the competition doesn't excite the sponsors. Champboat has a long, long way to go. Mike has great intentions and I applaud his effort but less than 20 boats nationwide isn't a coup. Let's hope that 2007 is better.
Thanks,
Ross Wallach, SCSC/RPM RACING ENT.

[spn#43]

I would agree on that, and the way you put it is not a bad idea at all. But, here was a talk about setting a speed limit on Formula-150 class…..big fella:D :D :D

[Ron Hill]

At Parker, Thanksgiving 2006, two Formula 150's from Region 10 came, and a region 11 120 came...Only 120 in Region 11....3 Boats... That's what is wrong with FORMULA 150 in SoCAL...How many do you have in Florida???

Wilkes is considering getting his Lee out there, but that would be one and HE likes a SPEED LIMIT.

[john miffco]

if rons idea of speed limit was read correctly and my reply as ross read it and most others,,,
it was pertaining to the word "NESTALGIA" that was there,,,which was intending a new class as ross discribed to try to bring in new blood,,,,,less money,older equiptment can be put back on the water,,,less experienced drivers do need restrictions,,,,step up when better or want more speed,,,
i have tracys old kaos hanging here,,,still a good boat,,,,
i would donate it to a driver to get him on the water for a class like that

thats what we are all trying to do
throw out new ideas for regions to try
not change the classes as they are,,,,
and if any driver has a rule suggestion change,,,give it to me or your region commissioner,,,and we will take it to the table at the apba meeting in january
positive thinking with positive replys and suggestions

ive raced formula 150 and love the class
and will race it again next yr
and dont want any changes from its rules
i do agree with brian,,,,i would like to see the tracks longer,,,,so we can string these things out,,,,,,,get more passing down the straights,,,
more fun for the driver and spectators
i wish we had the class down south
but our region is not interested in adding it on

i have been a loyal chamboat series driver since the first race at new rhodes
i like the series and its locations
our loss of new rhodes and st louis (in the same yr)for the 120s took a hard hit
on the 120 class as a whole,,,which trickled across the whole us
losses of the 2 largest 120 events makes teams step back
and some stopped completely,,,because we looked forward to these events,,
it was a major factor in my long distance races this yr
so if you took the boat count from 2005 to 2006
there was a major loss,,,,,
john

[spn#43]

At Parker, Thanksgiving 2006, two Formula 150's from Region 10 came, and a region 11 120 came...Only 120 in Region 11....3 Boats... That's what is wrong with FORMULA 150 in SoCAL...How many do you have in Florida???

Wilkes is considering getting his Lee out there, but that would be one and HE likes a SPEED LIMIT.

How many Mod-U’s showed up @ Parker, how many Champ’s,,, how many SST-60’s,,,,, 45’s……..? Let’s change them all!
Formula-150 is for the most part Washington, Oregon and Minnesota class, Parker is far away….there is plenty of boats out there for all OPC classes, instead of brain storming how to change classes I would suggest all to think how to attract sponsors to help those people to take their boats out to the race…any race.
There is nothing wrong with F-150 or almost any OPC class, but there is something awfully wrong inside the sport.
We need more people like Mike Schriefer and less hobbyists.
I’ll leave it at that…..!

[Erick]

The Formula 150 class is a great class, and it is not changing. What would it take to get Florida and Texas on board with the class?

As for a Nostalgia Formula 150 class, intesting idea. If there are enough boats and drivers interested and commited, it could be something. After all that is how F-150 started.

Now back to the original topic, all from R 10:

more SST-45 boats and drivers.
The OPC champ boat class is scheduled to run all year long.
There are 3 newer V6 boats to the area.
Older equipment that has been stored in garages coming up for sale soon.
1 V6 boat scheduled to head to California.
15 tentitive OPC races scheduled (2 record courses)

[kevin]

Now that sounds like fun.

[wayne worthy]

What happened to this thread?? I started out reading interesting stuff about what may or may not happen in 2007 and you guys got in a "peeing contest" about what is and what not wrong with boat racing??!! Get back to the 2007 "positive"!!!!!!!!

[Ron Hill]

CLASS TCPBA…….SOON TO BE THE LARGEST OPC CLUB IN APBA Class Captain
Mini GT Phone Email
Justin Appleton Rosemount 651/346-0144 MGT wanted Marty Branum
Stephanie Hansen Deerwood 218/678-3066
Megan Halver Duluth 218/391-2194 763/464-3656
Tyler Kuhl Det. Lakes kuhl772@arvig.net
Jacob Branum E. Bethel 763/434-3086 branummarty@netzero.com
Joshua Branum E. Bethel 763/434-3086
Howard P Soderville 763/717-0707
M. J. Cavanaugh Deerwood
Bob Dillon (Boat 4 Sale) Hackensack 218/682-2075 Boat 4 Sale bdwc@uslink.net
Sport C Al Hunting
Nancy Landgraf Maple Plain 612/291-2884 ekonpowder@earthlink.net
Allan Hunting Rosemount 651/365-0841 ahunting@ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us 651/365-0841
Bob Dillon (frm/ Mini GT) Hackensack 218/682-2075 bdwc@uslink.net
Nicki Hansen (frm/ Mini GT) Deerwood 218/391-2194 ahunting@ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us
Dave Halver Duluth 218/391-2194
Ross Rollshoven Thompson ND. 701/787-5877 email@greatplainsclaims.com
Denise Talcott Upper Mich. 905/482-0123 jtalcott@portup.com
Pat Barrett ???? No. Freedom WS. 608/544-4444
VP Howard Pipkorn
Howard P Soderville 763/717-0707 go2pip@myway.com
Katie Sellner (If n/run MGT) Bloomington 952/881-2303 krazed@yahoo.com 763/772-2181
Jerry Tuott Elk River 763/434-3190 vkingpro@hotmail.com
Tim Lund Andover 763/413-3577 lund9995@comcast.net
Dick Kojetin (If n/run FV) Roseville 651/483-2932 go2pip@myway.com
John Hallberg Ham Lake johnhallb@biznet.com
John Branum Coon Rapids 763/464-0884
Jerry S or his boat available Inver Grove Hts. 651/214-7712 Boat 4 Sale
Jerry J. boat available Elk River 763/441-1304 Boat 4 Sale
Bruce Pederson Rice 320/393/7141
Dominick Kuhl? Det. Lakes 218/371-5779 kuhl772@arvig.net
Doug Batman Coon Rapids Black Boat wanted
Ted Smolinski Avon Boat wanted
John Fieler Albany Boat wanted
Jay Farrel St. Nicholas Boat wanted

SST-60 Dean Hansen
Jeff Talcott Upper Mich. 905/482-0123 jtalcott@portup.com
Mike Hansen Deerwood 218/678-3066 218/851-4185
Jeff Hansen Deerwood 218/678-3066
Ross Rollshoven Thompson ND. 701/287-5877 email@greatplainsclaims.com Chansen2051@charter.net
Don Lick? (Boat 4 Sale) Hastings 612/438-9911 Boat 4 Sale
Ed Walczak? Deerwood 218/851-0182
Dean Hansen? Deerwood 218/678-2051

Formula V Jerry Sellner
Jerry Sellner Inver Grove Hts 651/214-7712 jerrysel@cvchurch.org
Jim Sellner Bloomington 952/881-2303 jimsellner@yahoo.com 651/214-7712
Bruce Pederson (maybe) Rice 320/393-7141 bcpeder2@ecenet.com
David Sellner Bloomington 952/881-2303 v-rarcers@comcast.net
Dick Kojetin (maybe) Roseville 651/483-2932 Ventura wanted
Boat 4 Sale wswierczek@yahoo.com
SST-120 Mark Welsh
Katie (Tucker) Mendele Mpls. 612/588-2076
Mark Welch Wayzata 612/865-2692 612/865-2692
Don Lick? Hastings 612/438-9911
Al Tucker Coon Rapids 612/588-2076 suprememercury@msn.com docstile@yahoo.com
Scott Landgraf? Maple Plain 612/291-2884
Freddy Pfanku Madison WS. 608/235-2342 pfanku@hotmail.com
Brian Tabara Moose Lake brian@tabararacing.com
Chris Waalen? Fargo ND. cwaalen@msn.com
Formula 150 Chris Bush
Chris Bush Nisswa 218/963-3738
Brian Tabara Moose Lake brian@tabararacing.com 218/963-3738
Al Tucker* Coon Rapids 612/588-2076 suprememercury@msn.com
Don Lick?* Hastings 612/438-9911
Al (Slim) Robinson? If not Champ boat racing alrob12003@yahoo.com
Mark Welch* Wayzata 612/865-2692
BOAT Tally
48 Possible
39 count / committed
Get and Stay connected with your class! 35 Boats exist

[john miffco]

thats 1 hell of a good boat count for 2007
and thanks wayne,,,,,
really miss you at the races,,
hope you and family are doing good

"possitive" thinking and input to aid the 2007 season

as for rumors
doug has been repying with interest in racing
he has found and old glasstron with 140 to put on the water for his son
to race in region 15s tri hull class
and have him interested in a complete 45 rig for him thats available

so i hope everything works out and we have him and his family to join us next yr,,,,,,
happy holidays to all
john

[Ron Hill]

I hear that Dean Wilson is getting a 120 Pugh from Minnesota...

Brian Tabara, who started Sport C.Com about ten years ago, has purchased a number four Speedmaster from me for his Formula 150...

Jim Haris is considering buying a V-Hull for Division IV for Parker and to RACE NOSTALGIA in Region 12 (Harris ran My MOD Vp for a long time and he also had his own MOD VP)....

Harris and I are meeting in Havasu next week to firm up a plan for him...

At the APBA CONVENTION, nexrt month, I'm requesting National status for TRI HULL.....

[TABARARACING]

I'm selling both my Gran Prix boats if anyone is looking for 120 boats. there are alot of them out there for sale. If I can sell a couple gran prix's maybe a new boa in my future... ;)

[Brian Burkhardt]

Hey John;

I met Tracy back in the late 70's. I was at the time crewing for Ron Ackerman. The Might Mouse Team. I will be running in the SST120 Class this year. Ask Tracy about the good old's in Portsmouth,Oh. It would be nice seeing Tracy again. Ive been racing so, pro, opc for 18 year, but never againest Tracy..................Looking forward to it. If you talk to him tell him said hey.

Brian Burkhardt
SST 120
#28







thanks howie ,,,,,,,,
for the updates and rumors ,,,,,,,
seems that we are adding some 120s and 60s for 2007
since we lost more drivers than we gained this yr
this is good news

i was only able to attend 4 races this yr like a lot of others
that just could not afford the increased travel expenses

our sport series here is working with champ boat series
and are working out new locations and better incentives for the 2007 season,,,
so hopefully we here something soon
so we can plan our season out

so far we have added on a new location in orange tx
along with the port neches event
for the champ season of events for 120 ,45 and tri hulls

with the other web sites ,,quiet ,,,there is no discussion pages left
so here is the perfect forum for discussions and opc 2007 requests

as stated talk with your region commissioners or here to discuss your thoughts
and we can take them to the table for you ,,,,,

i have a potential newcomer for 120 to buy my 2005 boat
and will be building a new 1 to race 120 and some champ

also have a promoter from australia that i have been working with
we are trying to get sponsor money collected to get him here to race a few events with us

also tracy hawkins is wanting to get back into a 120 boat
so we are working on that also,,,,

see you in la howie
john

[john miffco]

yea tracy is 1 hell of a character,,,
he has been coming by my shop and looking at his old KAOS boat he drove
its hanging from the roof inside my shop,,,,,,
he wants to drive it again,,,,,
all we need is him in that boat on the water again,,,,,,dammit
think we will all be better off putting him in something different ha ha

what region are you in?
and glad to see you join the 120 family
good luck and drive smart,,,have fun
ill tell tracy

the apba meeting is coming up on the 24th of jan
so if there is anything any1 wants taken to the table
let me or your region commissioner know
john

[Miss BK]

St Louis 2005

[john miffco]

hey val
yep that was tracy at st louis
and that was brian normans 2nd boat for champ
that was the 1st time tracy had driven in yrs
and gave him the incentive and itch to get back on track
and drive again

also while you were on the dock taking photos there
you got a shot of me after i got covered with fuel
and had to wear a shirt bigger than me.....
i already look bad enough,,,yet that,,,,
john

[Brian Burkhardt]

Hey John,

I'm In region 5. I only have two races under my belt in Caniff, but its handling and running great. Looking forward to the 07 season.

If you know anybody looking for a good SST 45 I have a 96 Hoffman complete turn key awsome rig for sale $ 7600.00.

Thanks John.

Brian Burkhardt 321 223 5442
#28

[DKL]

Brian,
Where is the 45 located,do you have some pics to send me.
Thanks
Doug

[Brian Burkhardt]

Doug,.

The boats in Rockledge,Fl.

Send me a email and I will send you some pics

Brian Burkhardt 321 223 5442

burkhardtracin@bellsouth.net or brian.burkhardt@spartechmarine.com

[DKL]

Brian,
Sent you a pm , I am supposed to take a look at another boat thats available close by ,If that does not work out I will check back with you .

DOUG

[DKL]

Who else is going to run 45's in Texas this year,or if your going to try another class or move up.

Who's out there

DKL

[Brian Burkhardt]

Hey;

Give me a call 321 223 5442

Brian Burkhardt

SST 120

# 28

[Fast Fred]

SLT's in OPC, heard it someware, more than once, Thinkin can't be a SPECIAL EVENT forever , if SLT's did go to OPC would SLT's still go to the TOP O' and things like that.:cool:

[Fast Fred]

ok then,:confused: on Rumors herd by me any way, SLT racers are Not likely to use a lost fome SST60 case, why, cuzz a solid mold case is Far better for the task of highly Moded, i warmed up a lost fome case to pull a sleeve, the thing
lost it's line bore:eek: so i doubt any SLT racers are guna fight yas for them.:eek: :cool: as i'm sure yous know in SST60 it's lost fome ONLY.
Not so in "X".:cool:

[Crewdog]

we ran a stock S3000 in the champ series this year it got rebuilt 1 time. we never finished higher than 4th but was consistent enough to finish the season 3rd in points. we had fun. mike:D

[Ron Hill]

Mark Whimpie borrowed Steven Dawe's number two motor last weekend and ended up throwing a rod on it Sunday morning... I want to built up two new 45 powerheads...A set of LEGAL RODS are $450 a set... I have more than fifty fishing rods, that I am told by EXPERTS are just as strong as "RACING RODS"... Clearly rods break and I UNDERSTAND that...but why do I have to buy $450 rods when I'd be happy as hell running fishing rods....? They are my motors that might break!!!!

Also, I had Bill Curtis order me a new propshaft...No propshafts...I could probably make 12 for the price of the two I need but.....no one gives me the spec and mine would not be legal....

I've spent close to $5,000 on tooling for the 45 mid section....I requested that my pipe be made legal....bet me it never hits the ballot...

And people wonder why we are where we are!!!

AND the worst part, under APBA's new rules, I don't even know if the drivers would vote on after market parts for our 25 year old motors....Pro Marine pistons are half what the OLD OMC pistons cost...same specs...are they legal??? If you can't tell they are!!!

Anybody got a new 45 propshaft for sale??? I need two!