Division I

[Skoontz]

Ron:

I need some coaching here. Never drive an APBA race, and want to. Have found 2 Switzer Huggers, which is not my choice, because they qualify as squirellier than a 3 peck billy goat to hitchhike from your burro thread....I'm still looking for Super Sports.....

So, the boats, 16', could be set up with 135OMC's, I want a 140 because they got better gearcases... Speed should dance between 70 and 80 somewhere.

So, would this boat/motor werk in Division 1???????

[Ron Hill]

I'm betting that Division I as it has been for the last two years is HISTORY...Six boats in two years doesn't make a class.

[Skoontz]

What's going on December 3rd Ron? My thoughts are just like with A Hydro, Im going to find a way to make incentive to build division 12 representation. If that costs business profit then so be it. We had a GREAT, INCREDIBLE landscape season year, and the next 5 are strong growth years. Rather than give my least favorite uncle a dime, I would rather put it into something that matters. Thoughts?????

[fyremanbill]

Not to jump the gun on the rules meeting, but most of the div 2 jet boats should be in div 1.

[Ron Hill]

GREAT, GREAT POINT... When I wrote the rules for Division, 1973, Jet boats were put into the same class as IN LINE SIX MERCS...and IN LINE SIX MERCS won...but that was 9 HOURS...

I would back the concept of any jet....If you can keep a BLOWN JET RUNNING 300 miles, hell, you should win!!!

Great IDEA....Jets go like hell, it is just hard for them to do it all day!!!

Also, Roger Finney, who I really respect, thinks jets don't need no stinlking rudder.

[capnzee]

Ron, Ever lose an engine in a turn with a jet boat? Nuther question, ever drive a jet boat? I drove Mel Bacon" "von Bacons express" and George Striegels CJ, both under race conditions--I say take a ride and cut the engine in the turn--then make your call! Rod

[Ron Hill]

I talked to Roger, the other day, and will get his exact words about your rudder rule...and get back to you...What he said, made sense and I know he has a TON OF JET KNOWLEDGE and Experience...

Don't plan to drive a jet......ever had an outboard break a rod on the straightway and barle roll you??? Snap roll...bot screwed on the prop...75 to zero in three feet...as over tea kettle....DePue, 1966....

[capnzee]

Ever heard of a whirl-a-way? Maybe you should have had one on your outboard! I think the modern outboards have them but by a different name. Ask Roger what will happen to a jet boat without a rudder when the engine fails. If he tells you he can control the boat and steer it out of trouble, you may believe it but he will have to prove it to me. GN-24 locked up on me in the North turn with two boats in very close proximity and one following. I was able to steer it out of trouble and nearly clear of the course. I would not have had that control with a rudderless jet boat and may have ended up on the rocks. We're talking pure safety here and taking a rudder off a jet may add a mile or two an hour but could prove to be very dangerous. Rod

[Ron Hill]

The twirlies is what you get if you drink too much...

Whirl-a-way??? Dorothy and Todo did that in Wizard of OZ..Not OZ Outboard....

Just thinking, that imput from those that do it is worth the effort to listen to them... Truth is, I know the V-Drive group wants to have a "BETTER" handicap....

Turth is, Rod, your HANDICAPS were pretty DAMN GOOD....Pretty Fair and pretty straight forward......

I just see jets at a handicap, and we do have RED ZONES in corners and if Jet Boat owners don't like they handling, maybe they should have their way...

I know some Division V owners think 2" below the bottom (Prop Shaft) is too low and unstable, but Freddy Hauenstein told me the only handling problem he saw was that they went slower.....

Bottom Line....Does the Rule Committee make th rules or do the racers???

We've actually had two good years of The Blue Water Resort and Casino 300 Enduro... and although we won this year, HAD WE NOT BROKE, we'd have won last year when we ran Division V....

Who the hell came up with "THE RED ZONE" idea??? (Great idea, by the way)....

ADD: What Division are you running in 2007???? I want to run in Division .5, starting a week early.....

If you get off your butt, you could run one of my 45's at Parker, Thanksgiving....(We can capsule train you without yelling "Whale on the Beach".....

[Ron Hill]

The drivers of 007 at the 2006 Blue Water Resort and Casino 300, are getting ready for the 2007 Blue Water Resort and Casino 300...plus the Mini Enduro...

Avenger with an 1150.... You could be looking at the Division I winner....