I WANT TO DO A RACE... A BIG RACE...

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

I don't know when or what but I have in my mind to do something big. Andy Brown and I had talked about it over the years so I incorporated several of his thoughts in the development of this. Those of you that know me know I'm big at promoting the sport. So with that said I'd like to have the race in front of a large audience. Having the Nats in 2007 at Raging Waters in San Jose, CA got 20,000 spectators over the course of that week allowing those people to enjoy RC Boat heat racing every 7 to 8 minutes while they waited 15, 20 even 30 minutes in those long winding lines on their way to their 10 thrill ride. I followed in my Dad;s footsteps who had the idea to first have a race their back in 1991. At the 2007 Nats Racers also enjoyed free beer and food at Happy Hour back at the host hotel. It worked out well.

Now I want to focus on a single weekend event. Lots of racing, lots of competition and lots of fun. Here's the catch. It's only 1 Class. Yep! Just one class. Which one? I hadn't decide yet. I thought I might put it out there to see where the interest is. Now when I say a Big race I'm not necessarily saying a high boat count. But with 1 class 150 boats would be 150 people. I think that’s more than usual. I'm also saying a big racing production. A racing production where every entrant is treated like a NASCAR driver. A nice, high quality facilty, crowds of spectators, radio, television/video coverage and maybe the making of a TV series or a NetFlix series. A production where judges are payed officials, well versed, trained and tested in the rules defined for that event... a race where retreive boat operators are dedicated all day both days. Pitmen are also your pit crew and drivers are only drivers.

The intent is provide a high quality race experience all the way around. There is only one class because we want everyone to be focused on their performance and reliability of that one entry. I’d be looking for all boats to come back every heat. Perhaps you'll be able to bring two boats just in case you destroy one you won't be eliminated for the weekend.

I've entertained 5 rounds of racing on one day with the top six racing anotther 4 rounds on Sunday for the top spot. Maybe a few wild card races for the bottom two.

I'm thinking to do this in conjunction with an existing festival event, create one specifically for the event or maybe go back to the Water Slide. In any case it will be in Northern California. Accessibility to the public and help with promoting to the public will be the key.

Now once again the class raced might be up to the input you all give. I've been leaning to an all Twin event with All Twins, NItro, Gas and Electric to be eligible. I've been thinking about an all Gas Sport Big Bock Class too maybe even allowing riggers since the speeds of those boats are comparable and entertaining.

Now all of this will cost money of course. So I am also thinking about putting together a GoFundMe account to fund it. Would you support it? In addition the fees will be higher as we would need the money to put on a top notch, quality and classy event.

So those are my ideas. Feel free to give your own. It's just at an idea stage so I am looking for thoughts. After all I see race entries as customers that deserve a quality customer experience.

 

[johnsteltzer]

That would be awesome have you ever thought of getting in contact with MR LUCAS of Lucas Oil and having him sponsor the race at the drag boat facility that would be a awesome site and it might get on TV with the help of Martin truex that might happen and I believe the first race should be nothing but twin hydro if you are wanting to blow there minds let them here and see the baddest rc boats on the planet that would be a awesome thing to see on close caption tv and the sound would be unbelievable awesome idea roger

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

That would be awesome have you ever thought of getting in contact with MR LUCAS of Lucas Oil and having him sponsor the race at the drag boat facility that would be a awesome site and it might get on TV with the help of Martin truex that might happen and I believe the first race should be nothing but twin hydro if you are wanting to blow there minds let them here and see the baddest rc boats on the planet that would be a awesome thing to see on close caption tv and the sound would be unbelievable awesome idea roger

I've thought of having sponsors but haven't thought too deeply. Like I said I'd prefer a location with a lot of foot traffic or an advertising and promotion plan aside from the event itself like a few festivals they have in a town near me. Where this can be included as an added attraction. Where is the Lucas Oil drag boat facility. I'm looking to have this in Northern California. But if there is enough support somewhere else I'd entertain that for sure.

 

[Andy Brown]

That would be awesome have you ever thought of getting in contact with MR LUCAS of Lucas Oil and having him sponsor the race at the drag boat facility that would be a awesome site and it might get on TV with the help of Martin truex that might happen and I believe the first race should be nothing but twin hydro if you are wanting to blow there minds let them here and see the baddest rc boats on the planet that would be a awesome thing to see on close caption tv and the sound would be unbelievable awesome idea roger

I've thought of having sponsors but haven't thought too deeply. Like I said I'd prefer a location with a lot of foot traffic or an advertising and promotion plan aside from the event itself like a few festivals they have in a town near me. Where this can be included as an added attraction. Where is the Lucas Oil drag boat facility. I'm looking to have this in Northern California. But if there is enough support somewhere else I'd entertain that for sure.

LUCAS facility is a nice place but sadly is in the middle of NOWHERE.

Got to Skip the Electric. They are awesome boats, but just not compatible in head to head racing with IC power.

And very few are set up for oval racing.

Twin Nitro and Twin Gas hydro would be awesome.

But 80% of the Twins in the US are East of the Mississippi.

Dallas has a site. NAMBA nats are there next month and they have over 500 boats.

Have to have a really BIG incentive to get 100 plus racers to Traval 1000 to 1500 miles.

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

You came to west to race the best out here. I’ve gone to the east to do the same. I love competition not afraid of it and will travel as proven. I think the same of you. That’s not good enough?

Problem with the cash prize is I’ve heard that’s been tried before and sportsmanship went out the window. In addition, As I understand it at least in NAMBA, if those racers participate in a cash prize race they are no longer considered Amateur, but then become Professional therefore disqualified from all sanctioned NAMBA events.

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[johnsteltzer]

Yeah but to see f hydro twins on a big screen TV would be awesome I

Watch Danny kings twin SGX 91 video on you tube on my TV with surround

sound that boat was unbelievable the sound if you can do that watch it and if you are a newbie and have never seen a f hydro twin run watch it it will blow your mind if that doesn't make you want to put a radio in your hand nothing will it's a awesome site to see

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

Oh! But wait... You just invited to come race at a nitro race in January. There's no $25k purse on the table.

So why am I coming again? You made no mention of a $25k purse that I recall... and that's 2300 miles away.

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

Oh! But wait... You just invited me to come race at a nitro race in January.

So why am I coming again? You made no mention of a $25k purse that I recall... and that's 2300 miles away.

I believe all the words you used to peak my interest were "fast nitro boats." so I assumed it would be competition

worth my time, money and travel.

 

[Andy Brown]

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

Oh! But wait... You just invited me to come race at a nitro race in January.

So why am I coming again? You made no mention of a $25k purse that I recall... and that's 2300 miles away.

I believe all the words you used to peak my interest were "fast nitro boats." so I assumed it would be competition

worth my time, money and travel.

Ah yes, I did not mention that they will WRITE YOU a CHECK with the name of your favorite Hobby Supplier on it, if you win, (Fact)

because I know that kind motivation is not needed for you to come out.

A handful of guys from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere will be there for the fun and competition.

But you are talking about motivating 150 teams to bring Twins. 90% of them will have to travel a long distance.

That will be everybody who has ever raced a Twin in the last 20 years.

3/4 million worth of boats and 1/4 million in travel expenses.

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

Oh! But wait... You just invited me to come race at a nitro race in January.

So why am I coming again? You made no mention of a $25k purse that I recall... and that's 2300 miles away.

I believe all the words you used to peak my interest were "fast nitro boats." so I assumed it would be competition

worth my time, money and travel.

Ah yes, I did not mention that they will WRITE YOU a CHECK with the name of your favorite Hobby Supplier on it, if you win, (Fact)

because I know that kind motivation is not needed for you to come out.

A handful of guys from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere will be there for the fun and competition.

But you are talking about motivating 150 teams to bring Twins. 90% of them will have to travel a long distance.

That will be everybody who has ever raced a Twin in the last 20 years.

3/4 million worth of boats and 1/4 million in travel expenses.

okay so maybe 50’teams then. : )

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[Andy Brown]

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

Oh! But wait... You just invited me to come race at a nitro race in January.

So why am I coming again? You made no mention of a $25k purse that I recall... and that's 2300 miles away.

I believe all the words you used to peak my interest were "fast nitro boats." so I assumed it would be competition

worth my time, money and travel.

Ah yes, I did not mention that they will WRITE YOU a CHECK with the name of your favorite Hobby Supplier on it, if you win, (Fact)

because I know that kind motivation is not needed for you to come out.

A handful of guys from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere will be there for the fun and competition.

But you are talking about motivating 150 teams to bring Twins. 90% of them will have to travel a long distance.

That will be everybody who has ever raced a Twin in the last 20 years.

3/4 million worth of boats and 1/4 million in travel expenses.

okay so maybe 50’teams then. : )

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There are 24 Nitro Twins and 4 Gas Twins signed up for the Fall nats.

The IMPBA Internats had about 20 Nitro Twins and most where a different group than what will be at Fall nats.

There is 50 Eastern boats right there.

Have you got 50 Twins in the West that we can race against?

Since one group will have to travel 2000 to 3000 miles, maybe it should be a Two race series. One race West, one race East

and spaced 12 months apart.

 

[John Beardslee]

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

Oh! But wait... You just invited me to come race at a nitro race in January.

So why am I coming again? You made no mention of a $25k purse that I recall... and that's 2300 miles away.

I believe all the words you used to peak my interest were "fast nitro boats." so I assumed it would be competition

worth my time, money and travel.

Ah yes, I did not mention that they will WRITE YOU a CHECK with the name of your favorite Hobby Supplier on it, if you win, (Fact)

because I know that kind motivation is not needed for you to come out.

A handful of guys from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere will be there for the fun and competition.

But you are talking about motivating 150 teams to bring Twins. 90% of them will have to travel a long distance.

That will be everybody who has ever raced a Twin in the last 20 years.

3/4 million worth of boats and 1/4 million in travel expenses.

okay so maybe 50teams then. : )

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There are 24 Nitro Twins and 4 Gas Twins signed up for the Fall nats.

The IMPBA Internats had about 20 Nitro Twins and most where a different group than what will be at Fall nats.

There is 50 Eastern boats right there.

Have you got 50 Twins in the West that we can race against?

Since one group will have to travel 2000 to 3000 miles, maybe it should be a Two race series. One race West, one race East

and spaced 12 months apart.

How about an East-West Championship in Mt. Vernon? All most in the center. Plus an IMPBA - NAMBA Challenge.

NOA used to have the North-South Championship up here in Michigan at Sanford Lake, it was for full sized ally boats but people came from around the world to attend.

Thanks John

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

Oh! But wait... You just invited me to come race at a nitro race in January.

So why am I coming again? You made no mention of a $25k purse that I recall... and that's 2300 miles away.

I believe all the words you used to peak my interest were "fast nitro boats." so I assumed it would be competition

worth my time, money and travel.

Ah yes, I did not mention that they will WRITE YOU a CHECK with the name of your favorite Hobby Supplier on it, if you win, (Fact)

because I know that kind motivation is not needed for you to come out.

A handful of guys from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere will be there for the fun and competition.

But you are talking about motivating 150 teams to bring Twins. 90% of them will have to travel a long distance.

That will be everybody who has ever raced a Twin in the last 20 years.

3/4 million worth of boats and 1/4 million in travel expenses.

okay so maybe 50’teams then. : )

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There are 24 Nitro Twins and 4 Gas Twins signed up for the Fall nats.

The IMPBA Internats had about 20 Nitro Twins and most where a different group than what will be at Fall nats.

There is 50 Eastern boats right there.

Have you got 50 Twins in the West that we can race against?

Since one group will have to travel 2000 to 3000 miles, maybe it should be a Two race series. One race West, one race East

and spaced 12 months apart.

I had not decided for sure it would be Twins could be Big Block Nitro Riggers, Gas Sports and Riggers and Big Electric. I really don't want it to be a Nitro, Gas or Electric Race. I want it to be a "If-Got-The-Balls-Then-Bring-What-You-Got and Race it" type of Boat Race. Ive seen Gas, Nitro and Big Electrics race in the mid 60 second range so I think everyone would be competitive. Twins sound great and all but now that you mention it the draw may be too small from too small of an area. I am open to having in anywhere but I chose Northern Cali since that is where I am I can manage logistics better than if I had across country. But there are other goals in addition to putting on a great race for the racers. I also want to create a production that can attract, host and entertain spectators. I did it once. I think the boat county was just shy of 600. The spectator count was 20,000 over the course of a week.. Weekend count was 10,000 patrons.

 

[johnsteltzer]

That sounds good but to make it fair on the travel issues it needs to be in the middle of the country at Lucas drag boat facility in Wheatland mo. Here are some pictures of the facility this is awesome site to have a race

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

That sounds good but to make it fair on the travel issues it needs to be in the middle of the country at Lucas drag boat facility in Wheatland mo. Here are some pictures of the facility this is awesome site to have a race

Nice looking facility for sure. Anyone ever have an RC Boat event before? How do I get spectators out there?

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[johnsteltzer]

I don't think they have ever had a rc boat race but getting the people out would be a lot of advertising it .you would have to do it like any other sport it would be a lot of work for the first one and if it was successful it would easier the next time I believe it would work with a lot of help from very special people like Antron brown he is a big rc guy Martin truex if they would be willing to talk to Mr Lucas I can't see why he would at least talk to you about it all it would take is to let him see a couple of big cubic inch f hydro

twins

Put on a good demonstration to let him see how awesome this boats are and he might even start making something for our boats as far as a oil additive you never know where this could go

 

[Andy Brown]

Ya got to get our attention with a $25,000 purse. All of the Fanfare and Hoopla ain't gonna do it!

Oh! But wait... You just invited me to come race at a nitro race in January.

So why am I coming again? You made no mention of a $25k purse that I recall... and that's 2300 miles away.

I believe all the words you used to peak my interest were "fast nitro boats." so I assumed it would be competition

worth my time, money and travel.

Ah yes, I did not mention that they will WRITE YOU a CHECK with the name of your favorite Hobby Supplier on it, if you win, (Fact)

because I know that kind motivation is not needed for you to come out.

A handful of guys from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere will be there for the fun and competition.

But you are talking about motivating 150 teams to bring Twins. 90% of them will have to travel a long distance.

That will be everybody who has ever raced a Twin in the last 20 years.

3/4 million worth of boats and 1/4 million in travel expenses.

okay so maybe 50’teams then. : )

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There are 24 Nitro Twins and 4 Gas Twins signed up for the Fall nats.

The IMPBA Internats had about 20 Nitro Twins and most where a different group than what will be at Fall nats.

There is 50 Eastern boats right there.

Have you got 50 Twins in the West that we can race against?

Since one group will have to travel 2000 to 3000 miles, maybe it should be a Two race series. One race West, one race East

and spaced 12 months apart.

I had not decided for sure it would be Twins could be Big Block Nitro Riggers, Gas Sports and Riggers and Big Electric. I really don't want it to be a Nitro, Gas or Electric Race. I want it to be a "If-Got-The-Balls-Then-Bring-What-You-Got and Race it" type of Boat Race. Ive seen Gas, Nitro and Big Electrics race in the mid 60 second range so I think everyone would be competitive. Twins sound great and all but now that you mention it the draw may be too small from too small of an area. I am open to having in anywhere but I chose Northern Cali since that is where I am I can manage logistics better than if I had across country. But there are other goals in addition to putting on a great race for the racers. I also want to create a production that can attract, host and entertain spectators. I did it once. I think the boat county was just shy of 600. The spectator count was 20,000 over the course of a week.. Weekend count was 10,000 patrons.

Roger,

I think you must be getting as old as me...to think you can draw 20,000 spectators to get out in the hot sun to watch anything....?

This is 2018 my man! I am disappointed in you. Even NASCAR is smarter than that. The story is, they are not filling the grand stands anymore.

So they must be loosing fans and money, right? Wrong. They are making more money online. Fans are watching from their electronic devices.

So grab a camera man and get out there and start producing videos. Lots of them!... of anything R/C that you can find and post it to youtube

very regularly and consistently. Toss in some boating footage as often as possible of the Big Fast boats. Toss in a pretty girl here and there too.

Gotta draw the guys that do not know what an R/C boat is.

Before you know it you will have 250,000 subscribers and your local races will pull in 150 Twin nitros every month.

 

[dr gary turner]

Huntsville has held more International Regattas than any other site or location.

Mark Bullard has all the details need to put on a large week long event. 256 303 6423

BTW The Internats will be at Huntsville next year 2019 and the NAMBA NATS will be in Huntsville 2020

Many record trials held at Huntsville and innumerable records set

Vary reasonable accommodations are available

Can accommodate at least a 150 trailers if need

Flat area and grass.

Look forward to see you at the Internats and NAMBA Nats

 

[BigChuck]

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION......And time of Year. THe last Big eventLike the OLD days was Atl. We have had bigger boat count, but not spectator count. The last Charleston race that MeTime broadcast was a MONSTER event....that is had a view audience of 56 countries...( I could be wrong).

Excitement, Entertainment, Intrigue, Value, are only a long list of thing that have to be address. I am not Flying cross country. JUST to run a twin. $25,000 purse...Intrigued.

Point being....Not just spectators, but also contestant will have to Want or need to be there.

JMHO

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

I’m sure the ATL race was a lot of boats but not in one class plus I’m interested in quality not quantity. Even if we only had a 150 Boats that’s be 150 drivers and 150 people to compete against in the one class. The winners such a vast fleet of competitors is worthy to be called the Champion of Champions the Driver of Drivers and the Team of Teams. It’d be great to have a high boat count but even 40 would be enough to be entertaining although I do like the sound of a 200 Boat class a lot better.

So the challenge of climbing to the top of the heap of the largest and most competitive event ever is not intriguing enough? I’d be there in a heart beat.

Once again, the reason I’m choosing Cali is because I’m in Cali therefore allowing me to manage the logistics.

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