There was plenty of "support", just not the kind I wanted.... Depressing.
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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...
Some good points being made. I'm sticking with "it ain't offshore if you can still see the shore." Still racing, still cool, arguably better for fans, but it's not truly "offshore" racing.
The endurance races have really piqued my interest over the last couple of years. The Boating mag Bermuda Challenge is a cool deal that, like many epic endeavors, was dreamed up in a bar. The US currently has the record again; Chris Fertig and Tyson Garvin did it in a little under 16 hours in Aug. Fabio Buzzi (Italian powerboat designer) won in 2012. With the right weather, the right boat, and a little luck the 15:48 could be crushed.
Here's another one that's pretty cool, the Ft Lauderdale to San Juan PR run. Donzi Yachts gave it a shot back in the day and the article is well-worth the read for anyone into boats. http://www.donziyachts.com/article.php?file=1000_miles
Um, Houston we might have a problem....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reRRiJ_rrl8
:hammer: :hammer: :hammer:
That was awesome. Now if we just had a few pics of Zilla when he had the 70's John Holmes porn mustache!
Tommy West endorses them, so what's not to like? They will make worthy competition at the First Annual Gorge Offshore Classic!
omg ! Jill looks so sweet, and you, aaahh, you,,, look,, aaahhh http://www.donzi.org/forum/images/smilies/Homer3.gif
http://www.donzi.org/forum/attachmen...5&d=1398364155
that Todd did a lot better with Jill than he would have with Miss Struthers...
http://topnews.in/files/images/SallyStruthers1.jpg
:)
The Army frowns upon facial hair - something about not being able to seal up your gas mask. Whatever. I'm ready to return to Civil War fashion.
Annie disliked the beard but she HATED the porn star 'stache. She let me get fuzzy for a couple of months but laid down the law in Feb - said I wasn't getting my Valentine's present until I shaved. I couldn't argue with that...
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Yeah he's kinda looking like a friend of the Ether Bunny in that shot...
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