One way to keep the costs down and still have tight competition is to run "Claimer engines" like some of the dirt tracks around the country. After the race, any one can buy anyone's engine for $XXXX... This slows down the idea of "Cubic dollar racing". So often in our sport, the race becomes a fast boat parade with one or two boats running away from the field. Tight, side by side racing is exciting to watch, regardless of the speed. A super fast runaway boat is dull to watch. The Nostalgia classes have a speed limit, but usually that creates some close racing as well as close finishes. A screaming K boat is fun to watch, but TWO screaming K boats, side by side, is so much better for the spectators. I guess that could be said for any of the classes. We need close competition to keep the spectators interest, and give them something to relate to their friends afterwards. Boat racing, in this day and time is really hurting for boat count. Another area that needs to be addressed is the APBA schedule. How can we plan our racing tours when next months races are not even sanctioned yet?......We need a schedule, etched in stone, at the start of the season, instead of trying to plan at the last minute. Tow money. With the price of fuel what it is, we need some sort of fuel compensation. I realize this comes for sponsorship for the event, but maybe a reduction in entry fees, or a better deal on rooms. We are very lucky here in region 12 to have SCSC working for us, but even that edge doesn't pay the bills. I have no answers, just ideas, and of course dreams of what it could/should be like. I do know that the PS89 boat is through traveling out of state to race. I have other irons in the fire, as does Mike Lee. On Monday after Blacklake, I spent $600 for gas to get back to Bullhead City, $600 BUCKS in ONE DAY!!!!!!! Ray

margerita mix 

Nah, I like SALT on the glass, so that could make it worse. You guys bringing the trailers and MoHomes, its up to you to supply the troops with the mixed drinks.....No blending on MY Cadillac marges, just "rocks/salt"............Ray

I would call terry valore and ask him since hes raced at long beach before. they might have a washdown area there. i didnt get to roam the pits much last year because i was tending the booth.

Yes there is a hose bib over by the restrooms, near the "out" ramp. Last year there were a couple of outboard guys trying to flush during the races and they were ran out. After the day is over there is a short line to hook up YOUR hose, but at that time the red cups are flowing and no one seems to be in a hurry. We use our regular "run in the pits" plumbing and we COULD add a little soluable oil to the water, but mostly just lots and lots of water thru the non running motor, and v drive plumbing. Don't forget the oil cooler if it has seperate plumbing...............MP

You comp jet racers should be quite proud of your participation, performance, and overall showing. Burley is like no other race venue when it comes to tradition.  Your races were actual races, not high speed boat parades like some of the prop classes. Very good competition, close side by side races. Quite possibly the best races of the weekend were the Comp jet class. I'm glad the driver of the 222 that tried to go 4 wheeling is doing OK....Congratulations to Toby and the Cucci team for a job well done, engine swap and all. And congratulations to all that made the greuling trip, and put on a great show. You easily advanced the CJ effort with APBA by miles....Ray


PS, to Jim and Ralph, you guys really missed a great weekend......

i know nick, toby and david are going.

i know ralph isnt

i dont know if i am going, wont know until probably the last minute.

I figure its about a $1200 weekend for me. It all depends on where I am financially. I like to make sure I have a roof over my head at home before I go racing.

Now you sound like lil' Rick when he was single. He actually thought going to the grocery store was more important than buying boat motor parts.  Imagine that, thinking eating was more important than racing. Then he gets married and starts a wonderful family and boat racing becomes a distant memory....I don't know about you younger guys priorities? . ............Ray

Ralph, it seems the "boat count" is down all over the country. People are staying in their own neighborhoods to race so the regions with low boat counts are suffering to make a class. Morgan City La. just ran a race without a single flatbottom. Burley is seeing a decline in committed teams as well. Talking with the guys in region 10, (Washington, Oregon, Idaho), they aren't even crossing the state to race. I don't see it getting much better before it gets a lot worse......Even states away from Cal are seeing record gas prices on pump gas. I shudder to think what race/Av gas prices will be by the end of summer...........Ray

There is a guy trying to run a Harley powered street luge on the salt at Bonneville. USFRA is balking at the safety of the vehicle. However, I think he ran around 140+ on a lesser powered luge last year, or the year before..........I have a pic from an email, but I've never learned how to post pics......Ray

WHOA trigger........Are these deep reach plugs? Early MKIV motors used 3/4 reach plugs...Put those in a 1/2 or 3/8ths reach head and you'll break pistons until it quits running......Get a little more info on number cross over..........MP

great paper.

And super good weed.........Only a stoner could come up with that.........MP

A 2" hole??? How is a 2" hole news worthy??? Couldn't have been much a wreck....MP

Lil Ricky's old pink boat was quite impressive. With a little imagination it almost, almost, looked like a Chevy powered GN!!!!!!!!!!!.      j/k                    It had to be running high 80s to low 90s.

What a great weekend, no damaged hulls, AND no one got hurt......Yeah a few scattered engines, but engines heal faster than people.........Ray

Brad
Ralph
cj222
nailhead
2savage4you
chromey
pw_tony
marcsrollin
luckie stiff
RyanBrindle
lilrick
forkedup
hdriderth
COORS HEAVY
crewchief22
oc2vegas - 1/2 Pleshed Out
1980nordic - Pleshed Out
82daytona - Pleshed Out
warlock - Pleshed Out
beerjet - Pleshed Out

CJ72