NAMBA FE proposals passed

[Darin Jordan]

Darin, did you hit your head on something? Doug was only pointing out how silly it is (to him) to cheat the system.

Terry,

I think we both know that Doug was doing much more than just "pointing out" silliness... He can't stand me, and it's clear. So be it...

And I'm going to disagree with you about the "toy boat" thing too. Using your logic, Winston Cup racers are driving "toy cars"... only difference is the size, and how you operate the control surfaces. I'll buy "hobby", but there is a difference between a "toy" and what we have. If you see it differently, fine.

As to your point on how "silly" it is to cheat the system... Of course it is, but just because you can't see yourself doing it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. That's what the rules are there for, and why we have tech and CDs...

[T.S.Davis]

Winston cup drivers get paid a whole bunch of money. Maybe you're gig with ProBoat is better than I thought. Pick me up with the private jet would ya?

I'm teasing you Darin. Don't get too pissed.

[Darin Jordan]

I'm teasing you Darin. Don't get too pissed.

I know.... I'm not... only a little... and ceratainly not directed at you...

The MAJORITY of NASCAR are not sponsored drivers making millions... They are guys like you and me, who pay their own way, build their own "toys", and compete in them weekly. It's their hobby, and they invest their time and energy into pursuing it.

Our boats, for the most part, are fine-tuned racing machines, just like those cars, and are certainly a step up from being a "toy"... That's my point.

However, any of us who have more than one kid knows... even playing with toys has "rules"... Just listen to your kids play sometime...

[DPeterson]

Gone fishing

[Darin Jordan]

But I got to tell you - It does little for me and all the guy's in my part of the country and I don't think none of us are going to threaten your arrangements nor want to.

Doug... thank you, I think... but what does my involvement with sponsors have to do with ANY of this?? WHY does that even get brought into this conversation?

Whatever... Back to racing and reading about rules... Every other major sanctioning body has specific rules governing their classes, and go to the necessary lengths to make sure they are adhered to, so it's not a stretch, or anything out of the ordinary, for a racer to expect THIS sanctioning body to do the same. In fact, they already do... for Nitro and Gas. Why FE racers think they need to be different, I don't know, but it's not out of the ordinary for one to expect that there would be some form of compliance checking in a class that requires specifically called-out motors. They do it already for N1, ROAR does it for ALL of their cars... Nitro does it for their 3.5 Stock OPC classes... Gas does it for their ThunderBoats and most other classes, etc...

AND, it sounds like David has something in the works for our FE classes as well, so obviously I'm not the only one here who thinks that it's a good idea, or needed.

And, I'm sure that whatever David comes up with will be well-thought-out, require a minimal impact to the race-day, and will do the job well.

AND, this really only matters for ONE race, generally speaking, and for the special events that take place under official NAMBA rules. Locally, we tend to police ourselves and, frankly, I'm with Terry and Doug... If I have to cheat to win, I'd rather not play at all... And if you think I'm cheating, say so... I'll hand you the motor I'm running and continue racing with yours....

So, I'm not worried about it... I'm content to just ....

[T.S.Davis]

Doug... thank you, I think... but what does my involvement with sponsors have to do with ANY of this?? WHY does that even get brought into this conversation?

Oh, I can explain that. For me it's jealousy. haha

Wait, wait........ how the heck is the average Joe supposed to compete against you big time sponsored tools? Hired guns! Running your hand selected motors that are at the top edge of the specificatipon parameters. And all your new fangled radidios. hahaha

I'll have to think of some more sponsored racer slams and post them as I do.

Remember when some used to say the SS1's were sorted by ohms for the sponsored guys? I was pretty tight with Fine then and didn't get hand selected jack nothing. Barbequed a bunch of SS1's.

[LuckyDuc]

If you record guys are so worried about the P-Limited motors for SAW and 2 lap trials why don't you make the participants buy the motor(s) through the event organizers? If you have pre-registration for the SAW event, and the racers list ahead of time what "Limited" motor(s) they want to run at the event, the event organizers could pre-order those motors and pass them out at the race.

[properchopper]

Oh, I can explain that. For me it's jealousy. haha

Wait, wait........ how the heck is the average Joe supposed to compete against you big time sponsored tools? Hired guns! Running your hand selected motors that are at the top edge of the specificatipon parameters. And all your new fangled radidios. hahaha

I'll have to think of some more sponsored racer slams and post them as I do.

Remember when some used to say the SS1's were sorted by ohms for the sponsored guys? I was pretty tight with Fine then and didn't get hand selected jack nothing. Barbequed a bunch of SS1's.

Heck, I didn't want to jump in here (not having the pedigree length of most of the posters here), and Terry I KNOW your comment about sponsorship is tongue-in-cheek, but I remember a time, not too long ago, where the thinking was that it would nicely advance FE to have some experienced boaters hook up with product suppliers to upgrade their offerings. It's now happening and the the sport/hobby/toy fetish {choose one} has benefited substantially and will only get better. I can only speak for myself, but "sponsorship" isn't exactly the gift that it may appear - I get hulls to promote then have to spend a grand (+/-) each out of my own pocket to rig them up. Nor do I think that others who are "sponsored" are gaining much more than the satisfaction that they're contributing to that which helps us all.
As far as the rulz thing goes, my only suggestion is to introduce a "Seniors" class so those of us who have trouble seeing/hearing/tying our shoes can compete with parity

[T.S.Davis]

It was tongue in cheek Tony. No worries.

There are very very few that profit from having sponsors in this hobby. I don't think there's anyone getting wealthy from it. In fact, if you're doing it right, having a sponsor should be a bit of a burden. It's not all peaches n' cream. They don't just GIVE you free stuff because they like you. The idea is to get some feedback from you to help better the products they offer. Then, will the "sponsor" respond to your suggestions. You could find yourself anchored to a product that sucks. Or tethered to a company that has a a great idea but a horrible relationship with the target market. Then you get beat up for that too.

Traxxas needs help. Can you imagine how tough it will be to repair their boat market image at this point? ugh They're a good company, I hope they try.

......well, I'm glad the rules passed and that David has a plan for teching when it's necessary. There. Back on topic.

[DPeterson]

Gone fishing.

[Darin Jordan]

Otherwise there are a large number of guys I race with that can't seem to understand what the big deal is. What actually is your concern and motives then?

Doug

Damn, Doug... give it a rest on the "sponsored driver" crap... it's a complete non-issue and totally irrelevant to his topic... If you want a hat, just ask... I'll send you one. OH, and the next time you become the bullseye target for any product, let me know... I'd like to see how a real pro would work amongst the consumers and peers in handling issues and helping them with how-tos, etc...

My concerns are the same as they've always been, from the MOMENT I started this journey... Same as it was when I raced "real" cars... same as it was when I ran Track, or played football, or went bowling... or played golf... A clear and well defined rule-book that people can read and understand, and don't have to rely on someone else arbitrary opinion of the "intent" or "spirit" of the rule... And a way to measure compliance to those rules. Same thing any legitimate racing organization has...

[raptor347]

Doug,
I'm sponsored and quite proud of the companies I work with. The reality is I ran Futaba and Castle equipment before they sponsored me.

Maybe the fact that we do have our names associated with manufacturers should give you a clue. Integrity is important. That's my motivation, I know Darin feels the same way.

Heat racing has enough variables that the tweaked motors may not be an issue. A lot depends on where you're racing and the level of competition.

Time trials are important to me because I participate in them. Ask any of the serious SAW's/2-lap guys, they want it to be done right. That means measurable tech standards. I figure since we went to all the effort to have computerized light beam timing systems on surveyed courses, we should at least be able to prove the motors are legal.

I was one of the voices who felt the limited class should be exempt from record trials. I also understand Dave's view on this. Yes, I was there watching Paul and Dick beat up on each other for the LSH record. It was great fun.

[sjslhill]

Lol

[Jeff]

Oh my oh my, Dave I am sitting here with a mallet hammering my fingers as not to post too much. You owe me big Newland.

[D. Newland]

Keep hammering, Jeff. Because if you post, I'm taking up quilting.