Sport C Cross over to Stock Outboard

[Grin&Barrett]

I have a question. I know that APBA SO has a crossover class for the SST45 tunnel's is there a class that the Sport C could run or create one to allow for the people that have these boats at the race sites that are equipped to handle the tunnels. I think AOF has such a class but not APBA please let me know if this is a possibility or am I nuts. If these boats had more races to go to, at least in the midwest, I believe the class would start to grow again. I am going to be able to go to Milwaukee on Wed. only and Probably will only make it to the OPC meeting and annual membership meeting so if someone could bring this up for discussion at the SO meeting I would greatly appreciate it.

Matthew

[Ron Hill]

Off topic, but, how do you feel about allowing NEW SPORT C boats to be built and meet the current safety standards? (The reinforced cockpit rule in effect for the last four years)...

We could build some new boats out here without the capsules...but NEW SPORT C boat MUST have capsules under the current rules...

[MN1]

Originally posted by Ron Hill
Off topic, but, how do you feel about allowing NEW SPORT C boats to be built and meet the current safety standards? (The reinforced cockpit rule in effect for the last four years)...

We could build some new boats out here without the capsules...but NEW SPORT C boat MUST have capsules under the current rules...

I would be for it. Would bring in alot more boats. But trying to get it passed through APBA - OPC might be hard.

Lets reduce the weight while were at it!
S550 (a non capsule Sport C type boat) in Europe is 100 lbs less than Sport C.
Mark N

[Grin&Barrett]

Originally posted by Ron Hill
Off topic, but, how do you feel about allowing NEW SPORT C boats to be built and meet the current safety standards? (The reinforced cockpit rule in effect for the last four years)...

We could build some new boats out here without the capsules...but NEW SPORT C boat MUST have capsules under the current rules...

Where do you see this requirement. In 2004 OPC Safety rules section

P. The following OPC classes are required to have a driver restraint/reinforced cockpit: SST 45, SST 60, Formula 70, SST 120, Champ Boat, and Mod U. Refer to section K(5). Formula V and Supersport must use either a driver restraint/reinforced cockpit or a role cage with driver restraint.

(1) All Sport C boats are reqired to have reinforced cockpit side walls that are equal in height to the top of the drivers ear and extend forward of the drivers ear 10". (see fig. F.)

It goes on from there to explain how the side walls are to be reinforced and how the shut off must be tethered to the driver since the driver is not strapped in. If you read something different please let me know.

Matt

[MN1]

I don't have my 2003 rule book here at home, but I think it's it does state that new boats built will have to conform to capsule standards. It they left it out for 2004 then it could be a mistake.
They seem to be pretty big on the capsule thing. Even in our 60 mph class!
Mark N

[Grin&Barrett]

Mark,

The 2004 rule book is written the same as the 2003 no changes that I can see, I looked page for page. The only thing that needed to be conforming is the new picklefork rule for older boats.
Last year new boats need to conform to that rule. I will get clarification next week. Are you coming to Milwaukee at all?

Matt

[MN1]

I'm sure Sam LaBanco will be there, he's one of the head guys in charge of capsule, pickle standards for OPC.

With Sam driving my boat you can bet I had to have everything right with the capsule and forks!

Hey, lets do the Sport C series!

[Grin&Barrett]

Yeah I'll talk to Mike W. also. If I get Sport C on the schedule for Rock Falls in july do you think you'll bring your boat?

[MN1]

Sure. It would be fun. Do they have Formula E hydro too?
I could bring one of those too! Another little project Sam is helping with. But for some reason he won't drive this boat?
He said something about it being way to fast!
He's got some good info on 3 cyl exhaust too.
Mark N

[Ron Hill]

Somewhere, the capsule rule is in the book for new boats. Mike seemed to like the concept of a "NEW" 30 HP class, maybe modified Mini GT, without a capsule. But really, it seemed to me, that he'd talk to the Commission about NEW Sport C boats meeting the current safety rules.

I see the pickle fork as a "GIVEN"...I have NO problem with that rule.

[Grin&Barrett]

Ron,

I agree I don't see a need for these boats to be full capsule, the reinforced sides with the extra side head protection is enough.
What I don't think APBA is stressing enough is rookie driver training, I beleive that there should be some sort of testing done to make shure that new drivers, nomatter what the class, understand the rules that apply on the race course. They require new inspectors to take a test and undergo an abreviated "apprenticeship", but anyone that meets the age reqirement for the class can go out on the cource and race, it's usually those drivers that decide the race ie: taking out a bouy or a leadboat when being lapped.

Matt

[Ron Hill]

When I was starting, we had "Hill Rules"... many of these were passed on to all new drivers...

Exaample:

1. Stay in the boat. You don't come out of the boat without taking the steering wheel and throttle with you.

2. Race like you plan to race tomorrow and tomorrow and....

3. NEVER put yourself in a position that you can't miss the guy infornt of you. (A man should be allowed the "RIGHT" to tip over, without the guys behind him running him over.)

4. Drive your own boat.

5. Stay out of trouble.

6. The trottle is in the boat to slow you down...

7. Never pass on the inside. (NEVER)....

8. Think!!!!

AS you get better...

9. Start first and better your position.

10. If someone passes you, assume he's gone, protect yourself from the next guy behind you. If you've been passed, drving likea "Crazy Man" will only cause you to crash... Finish is JOB ONE.

There are more Hill Rules.... but these "POP" into my head...


11. Test, test, test and test some more... do 90% of your racing testing.... and 10% racing...easier said than done... (Between the 1976 Nationals, where I finished third in DSR and the 1977 Nationals were is won straight heats....I tested at least 25 times, with three motors, 25 plus props and four gear cases....) (No, I wasn't OBCESSED, my nephew, Bunker Hill, was learning the "TRADE"...and he liked "TESTING"... One motor, one prop...not a lot to test... but we went every weekend..rain or shine...Lunch at Bo Wevils in San Diego and home again...I also tested my 35 SS's and my C's at those times)....

I considered the concept of ON LINE DRIVING SCHOOL....



ADD:

12. Drive harder testing than when you race....


First time I went 100 MPH everything seems a BLURRR... a month later, by race weekend, at 100, I could watch the "Chicks" on the shore line at Parker... When the race was over several of these "Chicks" came to see who the CRAZY GUY was who "Checked the out" every lap....

My son is learning Water Polo...... They had him playing against the Varsity Girls....(It is good for the girls...and the good practice for the boys)...His COACHING STAFF has him playing four-five days a week....plus swimming 6 hours a week...for conditioning....plus lifting weights three days aweek. This is for HIGH SCHOOL WATER POLO...The season doesn't start until September....

Guys want to buy a boat and go win..... That has really never happened. Every class in APBA is VERY TUFF TO WIN IN....AND that IS ONE OF OUR PROBLEMS.....

AS OPC CHAIR, I established Class Advocates. The Advocate's job was, in part, to help the new guy. Too often, we want NEW PEOPLE to beat, not to race with us....To over come this, we need places to buy, good motors, good boats, and good propellers...

Mike W. in OPC has helped, in my opinion, SST 60 and Sport C, by buiding winning engines....If you want a good motor, Mike will build you one.

I think it would be WONDERFUL if Ed Runne Built-Rebuilt A Motors...and would have them on the shelf "FOR SALE"...When the A/J first came out. We, Chad Hill, and I figure we actulyy had 18 new engines...Some we sold off the back of our boat...we had more in the trailer...

Too oftern, new guys buy old junk, then wonder why they can't beat anyone.... If you buy old junk, PLAN THAT JUNK as a learning experience. I may be our job to tell new drivers, that very thing... Like, nice paint, but if you trophy with that "THING" you'll be lucky....but here is what you need to do better....

In all my years of racing, I always had good stuff for sale in my trailer...20:20 hindsight, I'd sell them good stuff then beat them anyway. What classes did the best were classes I sold stuff, then didn't race that class for two-three years... That way I "Coached" new guys who bought my stuff....

I favor "CLAIMING PRICE" in certain ENTRY LEVEL Classes...

[Ron Hill]

Maybe, when the NEW Sport C Safety Rules were adopted, the requirement for new boats to have capsules was dropped.

When Sport C only had reinforced Cockpits, I know the rule was written requiring all new boats to have a capsule.

I was OPC Chair at the time of the NEW SAFEY RULES, but I turned the whole matter over to Mike Wienandt and Jim Nerstrom, aas I recall, and I didn't really read all of the rules. Everyone of the Sport C drivers agreed with the rules, and we "Went Racing"...

I know where the SOMAR SPORT C molds are. "POP" Curtis has them and we could use them to build new boats, if anyone wanted them...

[Grin&Barrett]

Hey Ron,

Check out this new message board we have a good discussion going on about Sport C's there.http://www.opc-racing.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=PNphpBB2&file=index

[Bill Pavlick]

Hi Matthew,

FYI, the 45 class started out in Stock Outboard with hydros and then when that proved unfeasible they started using tunnels. That is why it is in our category. Now most of the drivers race it in OPC, except for on the west coast where it is run as a SO class. We run the 45's at Rock Falls as an OPC class even though it is a SO race.

Question for you. Are divers required for Sport C?

Thanks,

Bill