Setting Team MPO aside for just a second...
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Originally Posted by
boldts
OK, valid points by everyone here. I never raced, but used to work as a support boat at as many of the Great Lakes races I could with my 18 Classic. Interesting that no one as mentioned the fans yet. I personally believe that races have been moved to inland lakes so that the fans aren't sitting on a pier, beach or hotel balcony waiting 2 to 3 hours to see the racers come back to cross the finish line. Of course those people awaiting the return of the racers are probably to drunk to even tell you who won the race due to nothing better to do in that time. I've been to Key West and to the once run Atlantic City World Championship race. The only time I saw the boats was the idle out of the wet pits, the start, the finish and the idle back into the wet pits. My best view was in the dry pits which allowed me to meet the racers and ask questions. That is why I enjoyed supporting the races so much. Yes I had a job to do, but I was on the race course and could see the boats in racing conditions and no I wasn't afraid to go far out on the course in the same waters the racers were dealing with. Can't count on my hands how many times I heard your not going out in that boat are you or are you sure you don't mind being that far away from the shore? Those 50' cats were amazing with the technology with-in them. Like comparing a Formula 1 race car to your local dirt track racer. Both have there place and in my opinion just shouldn't be together in a race. OK, so if it has to be that way, that is why again in my opinion APBA has become 2 or 3 different organizations now. Egos, money and flash over the hard nose racers of the past making their boats last and return from a true offshore adventure. It all boils down to the cost of television covering a true offshore race because lets face it, if television isn't showing you the boats offshore, you and most of the public except those who truly love the sport aren't going to the race or watching it on TV.
In Atlantic City, there was more complaining about the rough water than there was racing. Saturday's races were canceled. Because of cats like Mr. Copelands or Don Johnsons saying they couldn't run in those seas? Maybe....... Sundays race was shortened, but a champion was crowned. They've never run the Worlds there since. Who won that Championship? Beats me. I don't even remember with out doing a search on-line for the results and that might take some time.
Just my opinions here, but a little different look at Offshore from a fan's view.
Scott,
I have been a fan of offshore racing for years, just as you have. On one of these occasions, we even had the pleasure of being stationed on a turn as a diver rescue boat at Key West, thanks to Madpoodle and Buizilla. Memorable. Especially, when I almost had to run Reggie over, because he wouldn't get out of the way on the launch ramp. Great days.
I have also seen what happens to a cat in less than ideal circumstances, three times in races (Jack Carmody at Corpus Christi was particularly horrible to witness first hand) and twice in the Lake Cumberland Poker Run over the past few years. You are flying, not boating at the top end. Things get a little side ways, and boom, you're hooking a sponson, and hoping that canopy is strong enough over your head, if you are lucky enough to have one. You won't see me in one, ever again.
Secondly, a lot of the fractionalization of offshore racing has been due to the high dollar cat owners taking their toys and going home. They don't like the rules, they don't like the conditions, they don't like where they placed, and the list goes on. Then they go off and create their own series and play their own game. This is all generalization, but cats are the worst thing that ever happened to the sport in recent times, from my view.
Finally, the sport has never been spectator friendly. Offshore is offshore. Showing it on ESPN is a disaster, because even with the short track racing format, it's impossible to follow, the classes are out of control, and the inherent nature of the sport, makes it impossible to film and view, even from a helicopter.
Now, I do think the endurance challenges are the best hope for offshore racing. We are busy putting together "Team MPO" or at least the dream of it. Are you in? We need pit crew...
What the hell happened, Sally Struthers?
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I'm not proud, here's mine...
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Originally Posted by
The Hedgehog
That was awesome. Now if we just had a few pics of Zilla when he had the 70's John Holmes porn mustache!
Anyone else? Bueller? Bueller?
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And who doesn't love Bayliner Offshore Racing?
Tommy West endorses them, so what's not to like? They will make worthy competition at the First Annual Gorge Offshore Classic!
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Jamie for Race Marshall...
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Originally Posted by
The Hedgehog
I am a fan, and will raise you Jamie's Glastron!
I can't think of a more qualified individual to let this whole thing fall apart, than the man!
