T Sport?

[T.S.Davis]

Anybody ever built a T Sport? Looked like at the nats they ran scales and thunderboats. I was just wondering if anyone ever tried putting one together purpose built for T.

[Fluid]

Mark F built one on a SpeedFreak glass gas hull, ran up to 14S on it at over 100 mph. I don't know if he ever raced it in oval. After watching the gas Sport Hydros run the past few years I have really wanted to build a glass Whip hull. Problem - no one to race against. We pretty much gave up racing with the gas guys, too frustrating for them....


.

[properchopper]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBTt_NZpyfs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8jtNPcfnEs

Need fair amount of wampum to rig/oval race one of these puppies. For me, at least, a good supply of undershorts as well We're just achieving the 5-boat P-Ltd Sport entries needed to make a class in D19- unlikely to have five T-boats qualify anytime soon. Still, gotta give Mark credit for what he does in this realm

[T.S.Davis]

That's true. I saw that first hand a couple weekends ago. We ran open with both gas and nitro. It's not criticism of either. It's just not apples to apples. If I were them I would be tempted to tell us FE guys to get bent. I lapped a 45 rigger with a Q whip. That ain't right as far as I'm concerned. They added an odd "no spin outs" rule that only applied to FE to try and even the playing field some. I was annoyed at the time but it still wasn't fair. Not to the fossil fuel guys. I don't think at least.

It's not just the power inequity. Fuel boats present an entirely different set of parameters to deal with too. Even the way they need to be driven is a little different. I didn't see it before but I get it now. I wonder if it's a source of friction between FE and fuel. We horn in on their open classes but and bring a bazooka to a knife fight.

A true T sport would sit on the shelf..........a lot.

[properchopper]

Until the last race in D19 (when the gremlins showed up), David Newland was points leader in Open Offshore with his big Delta Force mono.. There was also, at the last race, a "three seconds and it's dead" rule imposed. So far, things between the Open guys and FE are mellow, 'tho the gassers seemed to have up-tuned some to get a leg up on David in this class.

Last year I tried running a P-Mono in Open, and consistantly stuffed/submarined in the gasserwater. Man, that bottom is muddy !

[T.S.Davis]

When I spin out I wait for traffic to clear. Especially with the big stuff. 3 seconds is a little tight if you're being conscientious. The rule in London was if you spun out and came off plain with an FE you were dead. Theory being that if a fuel boat spun out it died. Of course we all know it isn't dead if it's still running. It wasn't really fair to us but in hind sight I'm okay with it. Wasn't fair to them to have to race against an unlimited horsepower range either so who's ahead? The problem I have with that particular "no spin" rule is that it in effect encourages an FE guy to drive irresponsibly. If I'm spinning out.....rather than wait to verify that traffic is clear.......I should put it to the wood so that I stay on top of the water. Darting out in what ever direction the boat is pointed. I might get a lane violation but I'm still in it right? It's a bad policy IMO. I did get DNF'd after a spin too. Water flying everywhere. I wasn't sure which way it was going to be pointing. Wait for it....it's going that way........ease into it........everything looks right so get back in the...........DNF. Drove it back to shore with my tail between my legs.

Not sure I'll do open classes anymore. Not against fuel. And not because I don't like them or anything. Some things are more important than winning though. It just doesn't feel right. I'm sure it's just me and honestly I'm content to be alone on that notion.

T Sport would be like a T offshore back when we first started doing them on Nimh. If you don't have a buddy building one too you're never going to get to race it. 1/8 scale.....same problem. Need a pocket of builders.

...........not every boat has to be raced.

[properchopper]

When I built my FE Jersey Skiff I thought it would catch on. Cool looking, crazy/fun to drive. Mine was the only entry at the FE nat's. Boo hoo, but that's reality. Looks good on the shelf, 'tho.

[T.S.Davis]

I remember that thread "why not Jersey skiff's?" I guess that's why not. FE drag boats was a neat idea too. Nobody did it though.

We couldn't get OPC to take off up here. Who knows why.

It happens. We guess wrong.

[properchopper]

I remember that thread "why not Jersey skiff's?" I guess that's why not. FE drag boats was a neat idea too. Nobody did it though.

We couldn't get OPC to take off up here. Who knows why.

It happens. We guess wrong.

JS's are starting to catch on in Fla & the SE. When I show mine to folks in Cali they look at me like I have a live chicken strapped to my head.

Speaking of Drag Boats; just heard from Dan Chase, BTW.