Hey Doug, Had a race this weekend so sorry the response is delayed. Thanks for the invite to the NAMBA Nats. Unfortunately my club is hosting a district race the weekend before and I'm running the show so I'm going to recovering from that (plus the wife would kill me). I hope to possibly attend the Northern Lights race in Ontario next year depending on the date. It's an IMPBA event but I believe there is the possibility of allot of NAMBA guys from the Great Lakes area showing up. Plus I have two gas boats and like to run them as well. I wanted to attend a NAMBA1 race up north this year but scheduling conflicts just didnt permit it. I always enjoy meeting fellow boaters.
There is nothing unfortunate about us running combined nitro and FE classes. It's not for everyone but it was our way for the FE guys to get their foot in the door. Getting the standard three boat minimum and advertising the class on race flyers was another option when I asked the district to allow FE's to run. The dwindling number of nitro racers is unfortunate but was not the only reason the district chose to run combined classes. We run about 20 classes in a two day event in our district and the membership did not want a significant increase in the number of classes run. Another benefit of the combined classes is the integration of the FE racers into the district. The FE racers here are not segregated group at district races. We're one big dysfunctional... I mean happy family. Finally our three most popular combined Nitro/FE classes are averaging six boats a heat with a little over half the boats being FE's. Whats not to like? Again, I'm not advocating this for anyone. I'm just explaining why we did the combined classes. As for recommending change for my district. I'm not going to fix what's not broke. It's not my call anyway. The membership requested spec controllers when we started the Limited classes and I have not heard one complaint from our regular district racers on the use of spec controllers. Even if I supported a change to open controllers, it's not my call and it's highly unlikely it would pass. That's how much power I have. Everyone has to find what works for them. Not that this has anything to do with this thread but I just wanted to respond to your post.
Respectfully, your talk of the IMPBA being run by a hand full of dictators with titles is a load of garbage. Too many members would rather sit in front of a computer and complain than make better use of their time making a contribution to the hobby. The so called vocal "minority" represents two districts. There are FOURTEEN Districts in the IMBPA. Each DD of the twelve remaining "majority" districts get to vote on whether or not to let a proposal fly. Do the math. We've been having the same boring arguments for years now yet no one has made the effort to submit a proposal. All were doing is causing division which we cannot afford. We're too small a group for that and it's bad for the hobby. As far as my title, let's get this out there. Any perception that being a FE director is a position of authority in my district or the IMPBA is ridiculous. I post a title in my signature only as a point of contract for district members who have questions about FE matters or those that are interested in FE racing. I explain the rules and classes to members and the CD's during the race. My only aspiration is to get more folks running FE's. That's it. I'm one vote in the IMPBA just like everyone else. If I removed the title in the signature, nothing would change. I would still be here spouting off, trying to do the right thing for my district and the hobby.
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