Where is our sport going? Racing?

Scottie Mac · 10-16-2005, 11:14 PM

PLEASE!!!!! Lets make this a discussion of what we think the sport needs to grow and simply get back to the sport it was 10 years ago. There are going to be opinions written, please respect what people think. I am HOPING the powers that be will at least get a few refreshing ideas from this post.

Scottie

normjet · 10-16-2005, 11:18 PM

750 Class, bring back the Superjets and the SXI Pro racing.

Scottie Mac · 10-16-2005, 11:30 PM

MY ideas!

1) Simplify the classes! I can't see what we can't follow the example of snowcross. Stock and Mod. And for watercraft racing I think you need a limited class. BUT, lets leave it limited! That way there is a class for everyone, stock for someone who "might" race, limited for those who simply aren't satisfied with a stock ski, and MOD - there should be a run what you brung class. WHY IN THE WORLD would we want to eliminate anyone from racing, we need everyone we get.

2) The HydroSpace delima. Hopefully next year they will be available to everyone, not just a select few. BUT, if they do, they have a chance to really hurt numbers in stock class. This is a real delima. If they make numbers, the DESERVE to race, but at what cost? If the numbers are so low that people don't show up but a few of a select brand, is it really a race? I don't envy the IJSBA, this is a tuff one. In a perfect world, HS will start building them in the US so they will be more affordable. Like Icerocket said, if they weren't so expensive, there wouldn't be so much of an uproar.

3) I truely believe we need more consistancy in the rule book. Lets get a book written and leave it alone for at least 5 years. This changing of rules every year is not only annoying, it is confusing. You guys know as well as I do, racers are a fickle group, some of them will just say F-it instead of dealing with the hassle.

4) If the APBA is indeed the final solution, PLEASE, lets stick with them.

5) And I know that this is a pipe dream, but, if we are a racing organization, shouldn't the racers have the major voice in decisions? Scott Frazier has taken a real beating these last few weeks, especially seeing how much work it takes to do his job. BUT, why is it we have ONE person as a rider rep when it comes to the decisions that directly effect our sport? No offense to Amy Green, she has been great in returning emails, but ONE voice, come on. Is there any way that maybe these rules could be voted on? Majority rule. You know, democracy? In the age of computers and email, why can't we vote on the things that directly effect OUR sport?

This is NOT a slap at the IJSBA, this is simply one person trying to get answers. if I am wrong, by all means, tell me. What are your thougts?

scottie

SKISURFONE · 10-16-2005, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by normjet

750 Class, bring back the Superjets and the SXI Pro racing.

Yeah!! and drop the entry for that class to coax the old racers back out. Isn't it better to have another 10-15 more racers on the line at $40-50, than not running that class at all.

Scott Kalisch · 10-16-2005, 11:46 PM

The sport needs:

Better media coverage

a 650/750+ class that has a claim rule

The rules need to stabalize for more than 6 weeks at a time

a Stock class that is STOCK

4 strokes in there own classes

better combining of classes for full lines, and let the scorers have a nightmare, but at least we have full lines.

Contingency money paid back by major aftermarket companys and manufacturers

boxlaxman · 10-17-2005, 12:16 AM

Scottie,

I can tell you that we talked about a lot of the issues that you mentioned in your post this week at the world finals. I can tell you that the energy is there but this is definitely a sport where a lot of feelings have been hurt.

There are OBVIOUS solutions to many of these issues and hopefully the APBA, by vote of all of the promoters, will successfuly tackle these issues. Having spent some quality time with Patrick Mell, he is a good guy with the best interests of the sport in mind. Frazier also seems to be a very good guy. He was exhausted this week but still seemed to be enjoying it....

There will be some positive changes next year overall and we will start in Region 8.....

Marty

TheTurtleMan · 10-17-2005, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by normjet

750 Class, bring back the Superjets and the SXI Pro racing.

D-Ace · 10-17-2005, 01:59 AM

First, turn it over to a true race sanctioning associations with no conflicts with a big track record. No members linked to manufactures or aftermarket pulling strings. The APBA will do just fine and I never could figure why they were not there from the beginning.

Second, since this has become a world sport open up the coverage since there are no spectators in the USA. Instead of some clowns attempting to announce racing like some horse race back in the dark ages of radio and even worst muffled as like the world finals this last week. Lets get up to speed 2005 time. Full audio video feed of all events especially the world finals. Obviously the only reason it has never happen is because itâ€™s all about $$$$. So charge $10- 20 for the feed to see it. Not everyone goes to a ballgame they watch it on TV although more fun to be there some are 10,000 miles away from the race site. This will make 100 times more the amount of money the world finals just collected.

Third, more classes and what ever it takes with 3 motoâ€™s on final race day.

Looter · 10-17-2005, 11:46 AM

If you want to make the racing more exciting to watch, you have to shorten the tracks and the races. Everyone wants to bring it back to the old days 10-15 years ago, but we keep building these monster tracks with 10-12 minute races.

People lose interest after a few laps, so keep the motos short. That way, everyone is sprinting the entire time and keeping it exciting!

D-Ace · 10-17-2005, 03:45 PM

In some classes short races would be good but some need the long race for rider endurance and how well a boat was built for a CC especially runabout. But I have always thought a good size course for 3 laps like speedway and we would see the best racing especially on standups.