Hey man, that's not funny! You really had me jacked up about outboard mono! LoL
I thought I was gonna be able to run like the outboard of my dreams look:
First off, a big thank you to Terry Davis for his NAMBA FE Chairperson stint during the past several years. Even though the spot had been open for quite some time, Terry was still fulfilling the role behind-the-scenes. It just killed me that he got to continue to have his cake and eat it, too.
I’ve had a few conversations this past year with Terry and Al Waters about the NAMBA FE Chairperson position, but it was the recent NAMBA Propwash that really got me motivated to do something about it. Frankly, I didn’t like the fact that the FE Chairperson slot was the only “vacancy” within NAMBA. We’re better than that!
I’ve established some very special friendships with fellow hobbyists during the past 8 years I’ve been in this hobby. As we discuss FE, there seems to be some clear (and some not-so-clear) items that FE can do to step up our game. After all, It’s been said by many that FE has so much potential within our hobby, yet racing attendance/membership is mediocre at best. The reason for this is hard to nail down, but there are a few items that I feel can help improve FE. For instance:
-There needs to be a solid recognition that public on-line forum discussions must remain constructive, positive and focused on helping the fellow racer. Thanks to all for your help and dedication to this topic. We have made tremendous strides here.
-Simplify/Consolidate class offerings at FE Events.
-Make sure decisions we make within FE follow the KISS principle.
-Help the club-level class racing structure by finding a balance between club level and national level classes.
-Continue to evolve to the nitro/gas racing format. I’d really like to see FE accept full mill starts and start working on an event structure that incorporates 4 rounds/day.
-Make sure FE events have the guidance, information and tools necessary to host a professional event.
-Encourage all FE racers to accept any offer to race at a mixed event.
-Continue to move towards finalizing the P Spec Power parameters.
I feel these items make for a good roadmap in order for FE racers to take our hobby to the next level and I feel I am in a good place to help FE make the journey.
As for me, I have been involved in FE since 2002 and have attended to following races:
2003: FE Nat’s (San Francisco)
2004: Michigan Cup Race
Trent Hare Classic (San Francisco)
2005: FE Nat’s (Michigan)
Trent Hare Classic (San Francisco)
2006: CAFÉ’ (Cleveland Area FE)
Sardine Classic (Wisconsin)
2007: CAFÉ’ race-IMPBA combined gas/nitro/FE with the Celina Club
2008: FE Nats (Sacramento)
IMPBA Canadian FE Nat’s
2009: NAMBA Gas/Nitro Nat’s (FE races offered) in Washington
FE Nat’s (Michigan)
2004-Present: Hosted the Annual Az Winter Warmups FE event, along with other members of the Scottsdale Model Boaters. In addition, I helped orchestrate the infusion of FE classes into the 2008 SMB nitro event.
During the past 8 years, I feel I have gained valuable insight within FE, NAMBA and our hobby as a whole. For me, maximum enjoyment is guaranteed if I keep my eye on four things: Camaraderie, professionalism, sportsmanship and perspective.
My goal as NAMBA FE Chairperson: Focus on honing FE’s level of competition, race organization and presence within our hobby/organization.
Outside of FE, I am 39 years old and married my wife, Kara in 1996. We have twin boys, Lucas and Joshua, that are in 5th grade and currently enjoy BMX, Taekwondo and running FE with dear ‘ol Dad. My wife has a background in teaching and is currently a stay-at-home mom with aspirations to set up a youth program in our community. I have nearly 18 years with State Farm Insurance, with the last 11 years as an agent in Phoenix, Az.
-Simplify/Consolidate class offerings at FE Events.
-Continue to evolve to the nitro/gas racing format. I’d really like to see FE accept full mill starts and start working on an event structure that incorporates 4 rounds/day.
Do these two things and you'll be my hero for life
And condolences...... I mean, congratulations, on the new position
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