Open Letter to the IJSBA

jjaco · 10-18-2005, 11:58 PM

I would like to start by saying that this year was much better than the last, my family and I had a great time.
A few concerns that have come up are... that the managing director of the IJSBA was selling "cheater" carbon fiber hulls in the pits, this seems like a conflict of interest - Am I wrong to think this?
Also, one of the BEST promoters that I have had the pleasure to race with who has a relationship with the Outdoor Channel and has a large number of his races aired with them, was asked to hook up the World Finals with the Outdoor Channel (they have shot some of the best PWC footage Ive ever seen...they blow what ESPN did for the World Finals last year away...it was just embarrassing). This promoter put his relationship and reputation on the line and did hook this up only to have it pulled out a week before the World Finals. Did anyone shoot the event this year? Will it be airing this year? I feel that this was a HUGE mistake in a time of low racer and fan participation...we need the exposure to keep the sport alive and to secure sponsorships. I hope this doesnt scare this promoter away from working with Region 1.
These are a couple things people are talking about so I thought I would post this in hopes to get some answers, thoughts or explanations from the IJSBA. I would hope they have the racers best interest in mind.
john anick #151

Frazier · 10-19-2005, 01:05 AM

Happy to answer this for you, John.

1. The hull I delivered wasnt carbon fiber.
2. The deal was made before I took the position, it was delivered at the event, not sold at the event.
3. Even if the hull was carbon fiber, hulls arent cheaters, people are cheaters.
4. I didnt pull the coverage, I made several attempts to salvage the arrangement, the production company chose not to do so.
5. There is coverage and it will air. It will be a good production.

Scott

Frazier · 10-19-2005, 01:06 AM

Happy to answer this for you, John.

1. The hull I delivered wasnt carbon fiber.
2. The deal was made before I took the position, it was delivered at the event, not sold at the event.
3. Even if the hull was carbon fiber, hulls arent cheaters, people are cheaters.
4. I didnt pull the coverage, I made several attempts to salvage the arrangement, the production company chose not to do so.
5. There is coverage and it will air. It will be a good production.

Scott

rotax racing · 10-19-2005, 03:48 AM

scott

so the hull was not carbon fiber. it was a lightweight fiberglass hull from watoosee. by selling it to a racer knowing he is going to compete with it are you inferring that it is legal to use these hulls in competition? i would love to use one of those hulls on my xpl but to my understanding they are illegal.
please clarify.

rotax racing

JC545f · 10-19-2005, 05:56 AM

I'm going to guess here, but if Scott sells a hull or part, or whatever.... That it's not his responsibility to follow the life cycle of the hardware.

it would be like telling Skat trak they aren't allowed to sell Magnum pumps to stock class racers (sorry only analogy I could think of).

For the record, Lee Bower has a blaster with a 1200 engine int it. for competition? no, just for fun.

But if there is any truth to maybe seeing the mod class come back in a big way, let's hear some more about that

Waxhead · 10-19-2005, 07:41 AM

Bring back the Mod class

chopper · 10-19-2005, 09:37 AM

Who filmed the finals, when will it be aired and on what channel will it be aired on.

I would like to clairify one thing... ESPN did not film the 04 world finals nor have they in years. If they had it would be the best watercross footage avalible.

Frazier · 10-19-2005, 11:58 AM

Rotax,
I am not inferring anything. What he does with the hull is his business. There are plenty of legitimate uses for a replacement hull. Back when I raced 785 platform PWC, I used a mod as a practice boat (something I learned from Bo Dupriest) so that when I raced limited my body was used to a more demanding effort. Since I wont be racing anymore, I am selling off the bulk of my race parts inventory and most of my race boats. Nobody that purchases anything from me is going to get any special treatment or consideration (ask Nelly Slegelmilha about this). I think this is a fair and legitimate question being asked here so I would like to explain my position on how it relates matters like this.

My feling is that because I have been a racer, there are going to be certain approaches to the position of managing director that must be altered. From my years traveling in the racer circle, I have information about all sorts of race boats, past or present. I believe that it is wrong for me to now use that information to go on witch hunts for people. My job is to ensure there is a fair and adequate technical inspection system where cheaters can be exposed; my job is not to go and hunt down cheaters or whistle blow based on past information. Our tech ran smoothly, they caught people who used illegal parts, they did a very fair job with the thinnest margin of error I have seen in years.

So I am not keeping an secrets, I want there to be no impression of impropriety. At the same time, I am not going to abandon the relationships I had as a racer. It is through these great relationships that I can best glean racers needs, opinions and attitudes. If my focus is on improving the system, things will continue to get better.

I hope this sheds light on your concern.

Scott

chopper · 10-19-2005, 12:11 PM

And an answer to the filming of the event. I am currous because I would like to see the event

thanks

Frazier · 10-19-2005, 12:43 PM

We had several sources filming the event. The finished product will be completed within the next few months and will be packaged for airing. The actual broadcast will depend on the advertising space sold in the content of the video. The more I can sell the better the broadcast I can afford to purchase. Hopefully, I can get basic cable instead of a limited reach network. I will keep you all posted as the final product becomes more final.

Scott