Originally Posted by
Miss BK
I just got word from the OPC chairman at the OPC nationals this weekend that they have the largest SST 120 and SST 60 field ever. These are both capsule classes that have gone up and down in membership over the years.
SST 60 class uses ONLY the special OMC sst-60 motor - which hasn't been produced for many years. So it's really amazing that they have 15 entries at the Nationals!
The boats in these classes cost way more than a jet ski, and some of the drivers who run the Superleague circuit in SST 60 are brand new to the sport - including two girls - one from Canada. Some of the names I've never seen before - so they must be new as well. If I was going to start racing again -- this is probably the class I'd join. Safety is a big thing with me, especially having two boys. And I feel it's a big factor on whether new people will decide to start racing - lesser chance of dying is always more attractive than the opposite.
The races are being held this weekend in Kankakee IL.
Keep in mind that every tunnel boat class at the Nationals has a capsule except for the Sport C, which have mandatory reinforced cockpit walls, and still, the entries are high. Many of the Sport C and SST 45 boats are coming all the way from Calif. I haven't heard numbers of entries.
SST 45 also uses a specific OMC motor that stopped being produced long ago -- availability of new equipment is a major hurdle to get people to invest in racing! To get a new person to invest in a class where you will never have access to new motors -- not much incentive there.
But I wish I was in Kankakee right now.
Keep watching the APBA site News page - Mike Wienandt, OPC Chair, contacted me and is going to be sending me updates every night and I'll post them as quick as I can.
Val
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