2012 World OB Tunnel Championships

[John Knight]

Gang,

The 2012 WTC race will be held from April 27-29 at the CMB lake on John's Island, SC. The past few races we have offered two FE OB classes, the P Spec and the Open FE classes. With the explosion of the FE OB classes, what classes would be best to add to the race? Please keep in mind that there must be sufficient numbers to hold the class and traditionally that has been 5 boats to pay for the trophies. In addition, we will also need some class rules made and defined, which must include the ESC's and the batteries permitted. The playing field must be even for all. Suggestions anyone? We have always done this race to please the incoming racers and will continue to do so.

Second question is that the incoming racers in the past 2 years has dropped off due to the poor economy. We have made this race a 3 day and some are having problems attending. Would it be more beneficial to make it a regular 2 day race starting on Saturday morning to boost attendance? Last race (April 2011) we started Friday at noon and finihsed up Sunday about noon with 6 rounds being run.

Let us know what your best desires are.

 

[Doug Smock]

You have mail John.

 

[rumrunner]

3 day like like the past well the 2 1/2 days

Thanks shane

 

[topfuel443]

I think the FE classes already have all of the rules that we need in the rule book, aside from PLimited, which what we have been using for years has worked without issue. I think its just a matter of determining which FE classes we want.

I personally would love to see P-Limited Tunnel, Open FE Tunnel, and Q Tunnel offered. I would enter all three.

All of the FE rules and regulations are already spelled out in the rule book.

On the issue of a 2 day or 3 day race, I prefer a 2 day race unless we get serious numbers like the one year. Even 180-200 boats is easily doable in a 2 day race. No need to stretch it out any further than necessary, or run 6 rounds like years past.

This is my opinion on the questions at hand.

 

[RonShaw]

John,

I second Gabe's comment above. I would enter the same three classes. I would also like to recommend if we are running pure FE classes, that you not allow the FE's to run any of the nitro classes. I personally don't think you will have any problems at all filling the three FE classes Gabe mentioned above. Thanks.........

 

[Doug Smock]

Link to the FE rules, these are not in the printed rulebook yet.

http://www.impba.net...es-20110619.pdf

Thanks Gabe

 

[ggeiselman]

I would like to see it stay a 3 day like in the past. Finishing as early as possible on Sunday made the long trip home a little easier. Going to be a little expensive with 2 trips down there within 30 days.

 

[Dick Loeb]

I would like 2 days and add Q also. Thanks Dick

 

[jaxracer]

On the issue of a 2 day or 3 day race, I prefer a 2 day race unless we get serious numbers like the one year. Even 180-200 boats is easily doable in a 2 day race. No need to stretch it out any further than necessary, or run 6 rounds like years past.

This is my opinion on the questions at hand.

I second Gabe for the fact that yes a 3 day event is awesome if we had sufficient numbers, but it is also a factor preventing many people from coming due to work, school and personal obligations. Figure if we start racing on Friday, many strive to get there by Thursday night, which would mean that now they have to request two days off work instead of one. If attendance picks back up, then throw the 3rd day back on, but until then, like Gabe said, no need to stretch it out.

Actually, what about this idea for the guys that support 3 days of racing? How about we do a fast lap competition and other specialty events, like tri-oval racing, an endurance race, or something fun like that equipped with trophies or prizes. That way if you can't make it up Friday for racing, it won't hurt you points wise and you can still leave a World Outboard Champion. At the same time, if you can come up a day earlier, you'll still have something to do that's fun where you can compete just for the heck of it. Just something to add more value to the out of town guy's trip.

-Jr.

 

[HTV Boats]

As far as electric Gabe has it right. FE spec/ltd. "P" and open FE will cover "Q" electrics as well. As for ltd rules your district has an ESC rule where racers comming in may run where the ESC is still open. Your call there but to accomodate travelers would not change the face of competition in spec class. The positive side is someone could run spec and "P" with the same boat and batteries with a 4 bolt powerhead change and be more competative in full P rather than stepping up with a spec. This might help growth. If you limit via district rules we will just comply but this is a "World" race.

Mic

 

[rumrunner]

On the issue of a 2 day or 3 day race, I prefer a 2 day race unless we get serious numbers like the one year. Even 180-200 boats is easily doable in a 2 day race. No need to stretch it out any further than necessary, or run 6 rounds like years past.

This is my opinion on the questions at hand.

I second Gabe for the fact that yes a 3 day event is awesome if we had sufficient numbers, but it is also a factor preventing many people from coming due to work, school and personal obligations. Figure if we start racing on Friday, many strive to get there by Thursday night, which would mean that now they have to request two days off work instead of one. If attendance picks back up, then

throw the 3rd day back on, but until then, like Gabe said, no need to stretch it out.

Actually, what about this idea for the guys that support 3 days of racing? How about we do a fast lap competition and other specialty events, like tri-oval racing, an endurance race, or something fun like that equipped with trophies or prizes. That way if you can't make it up Friday for racing, it won't hurt you points wise and you can still leave a World Outboard Champion. At the same time, if you can come up a day earlier, you'll still have something to do that's fun where you can compete just for the heck of it. Just something to add more value to the out of town guy's trip.

-Jr.

I have to request 9 days off ( LOL) 3 Days PLEASE

See I asked nicely

 

[obrien]

for P-limited, imo, keep the esc's open.

 

[moparbarn]

with 2 events in c-town close together (wtc & impba nats), a 2 day show would be easier on wallets & less time off work. i guess some of it will depend on entries/interest........

 

[John Knight]

with 2 events in c-town close together (wtc & impba nats), a 2 day show would be easier on wallets & less time off work. i guess some of it will depend on entries/interest........

Ring him up as the award winner. This is exactly what I had in mind when I posed the question in the first place. I fully expect that the WTC race may be impacted by the internats to some degree. I know that some will attend the WTC and not the internats too. Just not sure how it will shake out. I think that Mitch Jr has some good ideas in his prior post (#9) to consider.

 

[TUNLBOTR]

EXACTOMUNDO.... We are cramped in the middle of the SpringNats/NitroNats, and I personally want to attend ALL these events, but I have to choose.... Are we at the right spot in the year's schedule, or will we get buried by too many big ones. Move WTC to later in the year? I dunno, it is a plate full...

RP

 

[John Knight]

EXACTOMUNDO.... We are cramped in the middle of the SpringNats/NitroNats, and I personally want to attend ALL these events, but I have to choose.... Are we at the right spot in the year's schedule, or will we get buried by too many big ones. Move WTC to later in the year? I dunno, it is a plate full...

RP

We aready have 2 fall races with the Fall Nats and a Grand Prix. We have 4 races to host in 2012 and need to split 2 in the spring and 2 in the fall. And that is why the thought to reduce the WTC back to a 2 day race like we had before may be best for all concerned. And the attendance has been down for the past 2 WTC races.

 

[moparbarn]

i fully intend to be at both spring events. if the entries at the wtc warrant a 3 day event, so be it. but planning a 2 day event is prolly more realistic. john's right there may be some who will have to choose between the 2, impacting #'s at both races, although i feel the wtc will be hit harder......

 

[Gator 340]

I got an idea. why dont we have the wtc at another venue maybe brandon fla or maybe SOWEGA or maybe even atlanta since it is appearent that Charlston does have a really full plate. Or and dont every body freak out but maybe skip a year for the world champs. Dont get me wrong I love racin as much as all of yaw but lets be realistic TIMES ARE HARD. not for me thankfully i am workin and am not in dept but thre are soooooo many people out there that are hurtin that to tell you the truth I feel kinda bad that I am able to play with my toy boats and to think there are familys out there with NO money NO food NO roof overe thier heads.. Attendance has dropped off ALOT the last two years so i don't know maybe give it a break. makes the next one that much more to look forward to.

hell i will probably be on call any way so it won't matter

Later Gator

 

[rumrunner]

If you don,t do a 3day (2 1/2 ) and make it a 2day(1 1/2) because you alway have that bunch off people that wan' t to leave early ,

with it the way it is know people leave around 1pm on Sunday

Tunnels is the race I won't to go to

Thanks shane

 

[jaxracer]

If it's open for discussion about changing dates, what about March for the WTC because if 2012's race schedule is the same as 2011's, there's a hole for a race to fill that month. That at least gives you a couple months to regroup for the Internats for both the CMB Club and the racers.

-Jr.