Originally Posted by
RaceMechaniX
It looks like on average guys who race FE try and cram as many classes as they can for an event and the events are generally shorter compared to the larger nitro and gas races. Some of these classes use the same hull for both like P-cat and P-offshore, but that does not diminish the amount of work. In my humble opinion it takes the most work in between rounds to run FE compared to Nitro and Gas. Gas is usually just a matter of filling the tank and greasing a shaft every now and then. Other than the post race bickering over who jumped it's not too stressful. There also tend to be more heats for each class so back to back running is reduced. Nitro is not too different than gas you fill the tank, check the plug and bench race with your competitors over how fat your needle was and you could have squeezed her down two clicks to have a 100mph heat race boat. In FE we have to untape, pull the batteries, let them cool, charge them, install them and retape. Add back to back classes and more pit duties for your buddies and it's a pain. I also see there are generally more volunteers for Nitro and gas races who just manage the event without racing whereas most FE organizers still want to participate. It's not a ding on them, who wouldn't want to race at your own race.
I would rather skip a year or two if necessary to allow recovery between major FE races then force one every year.
I really liked the idea of the last NAMBA nats of running a super nationals with all power types. The top popular classes from each power division run. It does make for a long event, but the mix is nice.
Will this ever happen in IMPBA? I doubt it, but I would certainly be willing to assist nitro/gas organizers to make it happen.