OUTLAW EAGLE MANUFACTURING

Xerophobic · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:31 pm Post subject:

Merv I hope you don't feel your opinion isn't appreciated because it is. Everyone needs to voice their opinion's for any progress to be made on what will work best.

Unfortunately we DO need a common set of rules. I think one of the things that hurts our sport most from a promotional standpoint IS the lack of commonality. Its just hard to promote the sport when its sectioned off into little cliques. Nothing would do this sport more good than to have a firm agreed upon set of rules for the entire planet. A tall order but its what we should all be working towards. The UIM rule set while not perfect for anyone would certainly make racing in different parts of the world easier if EVERYone abided by it. (im not saying as the rules sit now thats going to happen or even should happen)

I can't see a better reason for that than whats right in front of us. You a seasoned racer are not coming to the biggest race of the year because of it.

Cheers

KJet · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 32 Location: Colorado Plateau

Three cheers for Zero.

HIP HIP HURRAY. HIP HIP HURRAY. HIP HIP HURRAY. Smile

SouthIdahoGary · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 295 Location: Wilder, ID, USA

My personally voiced opinions in this discussion were not intended as a shot across anyone's bow. Yellowhammer's inclusion of words and phrases used in my post leads me to believe that he may have perceived it as such, however. Umbrage may have been taken. Now my perception is of a return volley. Aaaaaa, the cruel trap of perception. I apologize if my comments have been taken personally. I had no intent of any comments being directed at anyONE.

And now as Wilson put it, more of my philosophy..... but possibly devolving into mere rhetoric.........because most of what I have to say will be point by point responses to Merv's comments. Once again my intent is NOT to be personal, or diminish the philosophy of another, I only use his comments as a springboard to focus my thoughts and beliefs. If it is perceived in any other way and deemed hurtful, pointed or mean-spirited I apologize in advance and am willing to pull / delete the post(s) or any part of it / them. Maybe the issue HAS been beaten to death but I feel a need to respond. Not gracious, in fact possibly prideful, self aggrandizing and self-serving but a response nonetheless.

Itsworthit · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 432 Location: Whitecourt

I can't see anyone taking this type of thing personally, we are all adults and all have our own opinion, I hope anything I said hasn't offended anyone, is most certainly wasn't my intention.

Yellowhammer · Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 46

Again.... I have read and respect all fellow racer's opinions on this matter. It really is important to have dialogue about these kinds of issues away from the competitive moments of racing, or else no one will have fun.

I must admit, right now racing is not fun for me for a variety of reasons. The politics of racing and the negative vibes I receive from others is really starting to take its toll. I got into racing to get away from the daily grind of life's trials and tribulations. Many are not aware of my personal situation at home with family members who do not want me to race anymore. Earlier on in this thread I mentioned I had loved ones who died racing. In fact two first cousins (who were more like brothers) were killed in separate accidents right in front of the pits and their families one month apart (1997). I witnessed both accidents. I have some immediate family members including (two aunts) who no longer speak to me because I have chosen to continue racing. They see me racing as a slap in the face of my deceased brothers. This really is hard on me since Hoopa is a very small town. My wife and I (both knowing these hard feelings exist) have made the decision to race because our town has been a racing community since the 1950's and without our involvement, racing was starting to die. I also know my brothers would want me to race! That is what we were raised to do. In addition to the family issues, I have been involved with tribal politics all of my professional career and I thought racing would be my escape. Anyone who has been an elected leader knows the rigors of public life. My family's life is very public including the racing stuff. Some like it but others don't because they don't have the resources to do it. So this issue really does hit home with me. Now when you add all of this community pressure, family feelings, and the current state of affairs with the racing politics.....it starts to weigh a guy down.

I hope I don't sound like I am whining because anyone who knows me knows that is not me. I usually don't complain or even second guess something unless I feel like I can help. Gary, I think your comments posted here IN CONJUNCTION WITH, the phone calls and emails from OTHERS on this subject; is what has added to some of my frustration level. Let me follow by saying, Gary in the racing circuit you are one of the individuals I respect the most. I trust your judgement and opinions on just about everything. It feels kind of weird venting some of this stuff out on here, but it also seems kind of like therapy Smile

.

To continue with this bleeding heart post....I have made many boat racing friends throughout this small chapter in my life. Many I will carry for a lifetime. I know I won't be racing forever....(shit the way things are going I might decide to call it quits sooner rather than later) but I do know I will always support boat racing! For me boat racing is not just a hobby...it is not just a sport....it is not just a past time.....it really is something to live and die for! My brothers died doing something they truly loved and I will race in their honor if nothing else. When I break it down....I really don't care what motor is bolted to my pump. Call it "built", call it "crate", call it "slow", call it "fast".....I will always follow the rules whatever they call for. As long as I can get my fix running a river at "Godspeed" I know I will be happy.....!

Sorry for getting a little mushy on you guys....it is friday though!

Itsworthit · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 432 Location: Whitecourt

Hence the name "Itsworthit"

Rapidchaser · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Edmonton

Hey Big Guy;

From a fans point of view, I know I will miss you at the 2007's

I was looking forward to seeing and meeting one of the best damn racers and boat in the world!

Good luck man! in what ever you do and what ever decisions you make.
Cheers,
Emery

Will R · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 677 Location: NWT/Alberta

Just responding to something RPM said.I was just wondering when and why the "claimer" part of C class was dropped.I don't remember ever hearing about it!Was there a meeting where the cbf decided to drop it or was it just "forgot"about.

RPM · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 189 Location: Nechako

I don't remember anybodies posts asking for a 95+ mph entry class , and I think the ZZ4 makes a great univerisally (if thats a word) available no touch class engine. But I think it should be called ZZ4 , and I think other than for a few very light boats and crews and those boats with so much aero dynamic lift that their riding the nozzle when there is gusting head winds , with a out of the crate ZZ4 it's a 75 mph class at best . Perfect now lets get the 85 mph class figured out and I think something that is a combination of US + Mexico SBFX and the old Canuck C class is it , what I refer to as a sportmans ( low buck ) build your own 350 or 351 class . I can't believe that there is that many racers out there that can't build or get someone to build them a engine for $ 5500 CAD. which is my best price for a ZZ4 in P.G. . I expect my boat to run 85 avg. and the engine will cost less than $5000 CAD , will it last ????? . Lets get a world FX class figured out and please can we get that ZZ4 split pattern street cam out of it ??!!!! Mr. Green

Will R · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 677 Location: NWT/Alberta

I personally think we should adopt the 2007 APBA rules in this class!instead of trying to reinvent the wheel! Then we have a common set of rules!

Bald Man · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:34 am Post subject:

"I personally think we should adopt the 2007 APBA rules in this class!instead of trying to reinvent the wheel! Then we have a common set of rules!"

No way, no one is trying to re-invent the wheel. They are building "ZZ4" engines. This is defeating the whole purpose. It will only lead to guys building engines that are stronger and more expensive. The whole idea of FX was to create a level playing field for those who wanted to get into and remain competitive without getting into spending a bunch of cash. I don't buy into the arguement that "I can not afford to buy a new crate motor" for 4500 bucks when I have "all these 350 parts laying around". The engine is the cheapest thing you buy when you go racing in this class. Go ahead and build a practice engine or two with all those extra parts kicking around and sell one to pay for a ZZ4. If you can afford the boat, gear, trailer, gas, hotel rooms, beer and food to go racing, then buying a standard "class" engine is a drop in the bucket.

ntjetboater · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:12 am Post subject:

Here, here....order in the forum please.. Laughing

Well as one of the guys sitting on the fence maybe I'll throw my .02 in here as well. AS most know I have not been racing yet, I have been watching the races in HayRiver since I was a kid, every year we made the 6 hour drive to sit on the bank(Dad and Friends had beer) and I watched.

If you want NEW blood in the sport the CRATE class is the only way to go.
A FXSB entry boat running 90mph+ is not my idea of an entry class and might be too fast for a new racer. I feel comfortable on a sled at those speeds but I am somewhat new to high speed water travel(in a boat).
Also, I don't have parts, heads, carbs, cams laying around...I have rotax parts laying around. I am not one to rebuild an engine or to build up a zz4 so what are my options...race a crate zz4 against the guys building them that run 15-18mph faster...no thanks.
In Canada the FX class is awesome the way it is. It is by far the closest racing of all classes. Guys are crossing the finish line 60 miles upriver and 10 seconds apart and that is tight racing.

I certainly agree we all need to standardize the class across the world, but this is crazy, some the US racers are not racing in our FX this year and we(I) won't be making the journey to the US next year unless the rules are the same.
CRATE is the way to go for an entry level class Twisted Evil

WILSON · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 352 Location: Mexico City

Strictly Crate is:

1) Easy to check
2) More affordable to operate

I do like the U.S. option to submit your own engine's part list before the race and have the guys who know decide if the engine will be 355 HP or less. However, it will be up to the race organizers to decide if they have the technical guy who can verify this. If not, strictly crate will be the way to go.

And yes, If you have the means to have a boat and go racing, you can most likely purchase a new engine, specially if given enough time notice.

Mike R · Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 27

I can tell you from running stock cars that the more you try to restrict things the more cash people will spend to try and make power. As an example my hobby stock motor cost more than my super stock motor and had less than half the power. The GM sealed race motors IMO are the ticket. Similar cost to the zz4 stuff but not able to be touched.

Personally I would like a 300 CI 2 barrel class to run with the sport jets for those of us with smaller(sprint hull) boats

As Dave said motors, in crate form, in the lower classes are the cheapest part of racing

Will R · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 677 Location: NWT/Alberta

OK let me put it to ya another way! I am a die hard ford fan and I would sure like to get into jet boat racing!hmmmmmm the the crate engine sbfx class I think is the one for me...but wait a minute here in order to be legal I gotta change the intake,cam,rockers and heads wtf doesn't sound like a crate class to me soooooooo to hell with it!They might as well call it the ZZ4fx class or a GMZZ4 only class not a crate class.