1/2 Mile Records

[dholt]

Curious as to the opinion of those surfing this board about the newly created 1 1/2 mile record on the 1/2 mile course. That is correct, 3 laps on a half mile fishbowl?

What is the reasoning behind the ever decreasing size of courses? To increase participation?

And before I forget, thanks to all those that spent their own time and money by attending the National meeting. I did it for 3 years...so I understand what it takes.


D.

[modracer7b]

>>>>>>>>>>Curious as to the opinion of those surfing this board about the newly created 1 1/2 mile record on the 1/2 mile course. That is correct, 3 laps on a half mile fishbowl?<<<<<<<<<

Hi Dana, Makes me feel better that I've retired from racing. Another distance to set a record. Pretty soon we can have the 100 yard dash and another distance to set a record. Kinda makes setting records less important when you have 10 different record holders in a class. Always hated short courses too.

- Bill Rosado

[Brian10s]

D,
We all ran on the 1/2 mile course last year. The first 3 classes ran 6 laps and there were several dumps. While I think most/all of those can be blaimed on driver brainfreeze as opposed to race conditions, I will agree the water was not glass record smooth. After that, we all ran 3 lap not for records. While I had a blast on the little course and it was a fun race, it was not worth the additional $$ with out the records.
Well, now we will have all the records we want this year, with the passing of the 1/2 mile records, at the standard entry fee.

Brian

[CSH12M]

After talking with the chief surveyor, I don't think we will see it at Dayton....

Personally I voted against the 1/2 records and think they are a very BAD idea for a record course. Even with three laps this course gets very rough. No one will be able to set a record with twelve boats on the course. Second this course forces significant "backing off" in the turns.....so any guy shooting for the record tries to go in as hard as he can and as long as he can.....sounds like a good recipe for accidents, and for what.....a "Hall of Champion Point".

We also only tried one configuration of this couse and are now calling it the standard. The surveyor of the particualar course thought it could of been tweaked..... I also do not think Mod, and Pro adopted it although I am not sure on that.

In my opinion this was a perfect example of passing something without thinking it through very well....... oh well, you win some and you lose some.

Later,
Dean

[Dave M]

I would not pay to tun 3 laps on a 1/2 Mile course in FEH at Dayton, or anywhere else. Especially with the raised entry fees Dayton charges. I know why they do, and I continue to pay it, so I guess the reason must be OK.

I scratched out of it last year in FEH, after looking the course over in the morning, I said, chit, about 1 second of straights !

Just my opinion.

[18W]

Does this mean we can hold records at oshkosh now!!!!!!
HAHAHA
DAvey

[dholt]

1/2 mile is so out of touch with the majority of race courses. Why let great water go to waste with such a small course?

Boat time to $$$ quotion is getting out of whack.


D.

[Dave M]

Originally posted by dholt
1/2 mile is so out of touch with the majority of race courses. Why let great water go to waste with such a small course?

Boat time to $$$ quotion is getting out of whack.


D.

AMEN on that Dana. If we run a 1.2 mile though, your race day would end a lot faster.......

[speak]

I WOULD AGREE THAT A HALF MILE COURSE IS TOO SMALL FOR MOST CLASSES BUT THE BIG ONE AND TWO THIRDS COURSES ARE WORSE. I have not raced in a number of years, but after having announced races for the last 20 years, it is no fun for any spectator to not be able to see the contestants either. USTS tries to put about a mile course together for our guys, some courses the pins are tighter than others, but it makes for a course that I can involve the spectator in.

I have noticed a number of pleas for help in promoting races and getting sponsors involved. If the spectator can not see the racers or see some of the "nuances" used by certain drivers at the start and holding off a competitor, we have done all a dis-service. Getting the spectator interested in what we are doing and getting the sponsors their return should be what we are about, not just going as fast as we can. What race is NASCARS most popular race, a half mile called Bristol.

Ray

[dholt]

I agree, 1 2/3 is stupid for Stock/Mod and Pro. Way too big and boring.

Mile to 1 1/4 mile max. is best.

Your points about spectators are right on too.

But I would counter that Bristol is not THE most popular NASCAR race. Hard to say which race is.

Bristol is Bristol because of the bumping, banging and wrecks. Take those away, and it's not the same.
We can't have banging and wrecks to the extent cars do. Different animal entirely.
Tunnel boats...yes they are perfect for smaller, tighter courses.

There's a reason the Daytona 500 became THE DAYTONA 500...and that Indy became THE INDIANAPOLIS 500.

Speed, speed and more speed. Best drivers on the biggest and best stage possible.


Dana

[18W]

Dana-
You can't begin to tell me you don't like racing bsr at some small place where you actually have to drive! I agree too small for a record, but a hellofa good race usually breaks out at smaller race courses. Ask Ed how he likes racing Oshkosh!
Davey

[dholt]

I totally admit the fun of "having to drive".

Lock Haven is a runabout driver's dream...but I wouldn't call it small.
Same for Constantine...Grass Lake...Depue. All great courses...you have to drive. Lots of boats and competition makes a great race as much, if not more, than the size of the course.

But for a record...1/2 mile?

12 DSH's running 25 second laps or whatever?

Hey, to each his own.

Out.

[speak]

Dana,
My point about Bristol was only to the point of you can see the whole race course, you can see one driver setting another up for the turn, you can see someone changing lanes,(w/o the spray) trying to set up to get underneath. You would be surprised at the knowledge that the spectators have at DePue and Constantine, as everyone can see the course and watch the starts and the pushing and shoving that goes on coming up for the start. Not the bumbing and grinding, but the fact that one guy does not leave everyone behind and a short field really gets strung out.

Ray

[GarE-12]

Ray,

I don't know about anyone else but the 500 Sprint race at Depue this last year was the most fun I've had racing a boat in a long time. I would do that every weekend if I could.

Gary

[speak]

Gary,
I thought it was the race that saved the class. With the amount of boats, watching you guys throw it in the corner and hang on to get it straightened up and on to the next corner was fabulous was just plain fun and the crowd loved it. It was like the water would just settle down and you guys would come through again.

Just give the fans a look at what you are doing is all I was asking for. Give them something to come back for and the 500 sprint did just that.

Ray

[jsilvestri]

For myself, I've always liked a race course around 3/4 mile, to 1 mile. These types of courses call for both speed and driving ability. Most of the race courses I race on throughout the year would qualify as a 3/4 mile course or a 1 mile course. I've never understood though, why in the past and even currently, I race on roughly a 1 mile race course all season long but when I get to the nationals, the course seems to be twice as big. Very frustrating.

[form-e one]

to all...who gives a -rap about 1/2 mile records...well obviously someone ...possibly someone who couldnt set a real record possibly....while as alot of people can tell ya i like my record races...i would NOT support such a worthless course by raceing on it anywhere with my form-e rigs.....i think all of us in form-e enjoy the power and the speed and want to open theses babies up and let them fly...cheyney

[form-e one]

to all...who gives a -rap about 1/2 mile records...well obviously someone ...possibly someone who couldnt set a real record possibly....while as alot of people can tell ya i like my record races...i would NOT support such a worthless course by raceing on it anywhere with my form-e rigs.....i think all of us in form-e enjoy the power and the speed and want to open theses babies up and let them fly...cheyney

[form-e one]

to all...who gives a -rap about 1/2 mile records...well obviously someone ...possibly someone who couldnt set a real record possibly....while as alot of people can tell ya i like my record races...i would NOT support such a worthless course by raceing on it anywhere with my form-e rigs.....i think all of us in form-e enjoy the power and the speed and want to open theses babies up and let them fly...cheyney