2014 Nationals thoughts.

[T.S.Davis]

Gonna share some from time to time to see what you guys think. Fred and I are already brains deep in the planning for this.

We typically finish up the nats on Saturdays. You race all day, then you jam all you crap into it's respective box, pack up, load it into your mode of transportation. The you wait wait wait for scores. Then off to the banquet if there is one. So it's approaching maybe 7:00 ish or so by the time we're done messing around. Saturday at the Elks will be a zoo if you think about it. Trying to pack and tear down. Ugh.

What if......we raced Saturday, had a massive celebration with, food(not the same guy), drinks, fireworks, and the whole 9 yards? Then on Sunday morning had a breakfast buffet, awards ceremony, and then hit the road?

Wanted to see what you guys thought.

[madmikepags]

I like it!!!!!

[madmikepags]

well the other though is make the sat a short day 3-4 classes? done by 2;30-3 then have plenty of time to pack and PARTY!!!!!!

[madmikepags]

hey if you are doin the Nats on the same week next year when are you doing the Mi Cup race?????????????? LOL!!!!!!!

[D. Newland]

I will have had enough of you clowns by Saturday evening that Sunday early AM, I'm hitting the road back to Phoenix. You can ship my awards.

In all seriousness, I obviously don't know that site, but we're all sort of trained to get ourselves organized/packed up throughout the last day of racing. It stays light there until... what 9:30? Blow it out Saturday right into the evening, get it all done, then let us get home on Sunday. Think of George Costanza leaving the party on the highest of notes.

[madmikepags]

Dave there were over 350 spectators on sat, I think what terry means is that us doing awards there on sat night will be a Cluster f--k. people started showing up for fireworks around 3;30-4 oclock!!!

[T.S.Davis]

Dave, the problem becomes that the whole lodge is full of wandering humans Saturday starting mid afternoon. That's where we failed on the crowd control thing. Still brain storming there. Actually thinking about hiring people for that. Then the band was setting up around 6:00 right where we normally are announcing those awards. Might still be doable though. I'm just not sure how easy it will be to button down a race like this with 250 people on site and nearly as many vehicles in the lot.

Trying to think of a compromise that could work. We could slam it out and get it done Saturday but I don't think any of us know what will happen with what this is turning into. This could be fatter than the 05 nats. Throw in the spectacle that is..............yick.

At least we're trying to figure it out now. We're also not so arrogant as to think we should just dictate how it will be done. All opinions welcome on this.

[T.S.Davis]

I will have had enough of you clowns by Saturday evening that Sunday early AM, I'm hitting the road back to Phoenix.

No way man. When we get done with ya, you'll be looking for a house to move your family here. I think Regg might make Mikey move to MI. Think she already found a house.

[madmikepags]

wouldn't that be GRAND!!!!!

[Grimracer]

Terry,

I am going to try to shame Russ into making AquaCraft the title sponser... let me work on that...

Email me the sponser info as soon as you have it!

Grimracer

[Doby]

Terry:

People need to be diverted to the spectator areas at the Orange fence....inside the orange fence needs to be ID'd as a "racers"(insured) area only.

As long as the center part of the orange fence is left open, people will continue to flow into the pit area, and then naturally to the launching area which becomes a bigger danger (everyone wants to be where the action is, staring at shiny objects).

The pit area should be off limits during heat times as well, while most were respectful my "canopy pit area", I did find some snooping around when I was pitting/driving. While I don't think there were any evil intentions, there is still the chance of injury with lots of sharp things and high voltages laying around....people could come in during lunch breaks to talk to the participants and then politely asked to go to the spectators area when racing resumes.

Even drivers families who are not insured should not be allowed unlimited access as others might think they can wander around if they see families in the pit areas.

It might be time to review the NAMBA/ Elks insurance policy and rules to see what they say. Maybe they are OK with open access, but I kinda doubt it.

At some gas/nitro events I've been at you have a starting area where only drivers and pit crews are allowed due to the fact you have spinning props etc before the boats hit the water..well, the electric boats plugged in and taped up should be considered as "live", and as we walk down the pit area to the launching area, one accidental pull on the radio trigger and the props spinning with people around.

Just want to make sure nothing happens that may cause a great venue to be lost (you guys and the Elks)

But what the hell do I know (stupid Kanadian)

[D. Newland]

Dave there were over 350 spectators on sat,

Then I want to tag-team the MC'ing of the Banquet with Davis. If we have video, we could farm it out to a reality show producer. Anyone have Seacrest's #?

[madmikepags]

definitely have to get some sort of TV coverage for this thing whether it be local cable or one of the BIG 4!!!!

[fas]

hey if you are doin the Nats on the same week next year when are you doing the Mi Cup race?????????????? LOL!!!!!!!

Now that's funny Mikey I am still dragging today that's ok it was will worth it wow what a weekend it was

[T.S.Davis]

John, safety and the lack there of this year is going to be a primary objective for me. Even if it means I have to have someone on staff to deal with it full time. We might end up feeling like zoo animals but if someone gets hurt it's not going to matter how we felt about it. Not sure I care how the rules read on it either. If someone got hurt and we were following the rules it's still going to be awful and likely litigious. Some common sense and some effort should be all that it takes. Finding a fine line between allowing access but limiting it is what's needed. I've already started drawing up a pit area with better spectator options than before. If it works the way I want it spectators will be able to see from the deck too. I may contact you to discuss it later if you're up to it.

In the past we've had the occasional passer by or maybe someone who already knows about boating. A few here a couple there asking questions. Never like we had this weekend. Kids running around. We were out manned really. Saturday in particular was scary. I was pretty rattled by the time the fireworks started. I absolutely can't let that happen again. I can't help but feel like we dodged a bullet this year.

[jfrancisco892]

Let's get done racing on saturday and then have sunday to relax and enjoy some adult beverages and the awards ceremony.

[427srule]

well the other though is make the sat a short day 3-4 classes? done by 2;30-3 then have plenty of time to pack and PARTY!!!!!!

Hey guys,

Sorry I missed this past race but would like to get there for the 2014 Nats.
I agree with Mike...Start earlier and finish earlier on Saturday.
Leaving Sunday mid morning would have the people driving a good distance get home way too late.

Thanks,
Mike

[Doby]

I absolutely can't let that happen again. I can't help but feel like we dodged a bullet this year.

Hi Terry:

Its not just on your shoulders...its on every racer/pit person to help keep things safe.

The CD's get busier than a one armed monkey swinging from trees trying to grab bananas while wearing an oven mitt!

Even with the best laid plans, things can squeak through so everyone needs to watch out for anything.

You guys did a hell of a job this year and its only going to get better!

[madmikepags]

hey terry I'll take care of bouncing the place!!!!!! I don't need to race as long as I am authorized to use deadly force while enforcing the rules!!!!! I'll bring a crew from the bronx, all they need is an excuse to leave "The Hood" no money needed!!!

[Doug Smock]

Hi Terry:

Its not just on your shoulders...its on every racer/pit person to help keep things safe.

[T.S.Davis]

I just spent an hour out there surveying. I got this.

[T.S.Davis]

2014 Nationals pit area-PRELIMINARY.pdf

Preliminary layout attached.

We were talking about it earlier. We really only had a problem on Saturday. Maybe I'm over thinking it.

[rightturnonly]

Terry,

Has anyone thought about making the area up by the horse shoe pits a sort of show and tell area(could setup a canopy there)? From what I saw on Saturday we seemed to have a lot of spectators coming down to ask questions and get a closer look at the different boats. I'm sure we could get people to volunteer a little time to man that area. Not all of us will be racing every day and we could make it a NO Power area for safety/insurance purposes..

John Gross
Millbrook, AL

[T.S.Davis]

That's not a bad idea.

If we get more than 55 or so racers we may end up with a tents up there too. Still not sure how to do it.

[DPeterson]

I call first dibs for a trailer spot! :) Hopefully I will own my own trailer by then. Someone has to give Haines some pressure on the nicest trailer thing.

Consider this - Sell Pit Passes. Basically this would be the NAMBA event insurance $10.00. They can wear a different colored wrist band. I had a few guy's come through that had real interest. They are building whips and they have RC car racing and boat racing backgrounds. I don't usually like to converse during a race but these guys had that real interest thing going and it was great to help them out. This is great way to expand the sport/hobby.

The Pit Pass would or may increase funding for NAMBA.

When I go to drag races or truck pulls I always buy the pit pass.

Later - Doug

[madmikepags]

Hey Terry just thinking, how bout a kids Plim mono, LSO, LSH, and P-mono???? I know it adds 4 extra classes but you can do one each day so they have a kids class each day and they have a chance at winning more classes? and if they run in those classes they can't run in the adult version of that class? I know Ava will probably jump to all the regular classes next year except if u run a kids LSH.

[T.S.Davis]

I don't know. I can't keep up with my kid as it is.

[T.S.Davis]

So what do you guys think of the canopy deal? That's a pricey undertaking. Do you guys think it's something we should or shouldn't do?

[madmikepags]

big tent over the whole yard???? I'm in I'll sponsor it.

[Todd Fleury]

OK, I think all the ideas are great so far. Being back in my home state for the Nationals is going to be awesome! I am probably going to have to drive up to Walloon lake by Sunday, so finishing Saturday, would probably be best. I think having people for crowd control would be the cheapest option. I am considering sponsoring 1/8th scale again this year.