American Professional Racing association

[Norm Doerr]

they offer basically the same classes as amateur org's offer now, if they get 3 or more boats in the same class entered then they run that class, the main difference between amateur and pro is you get paid if you win in pro, and you get nice trophy's, not just a wood plaque . membership fee is $100 a year, and just like amateur org's most of that is for insurance, they have much better insurance than amateur org's. Race entry is $35.00 for each class. I put the link to there sight a couple posts back, go check it out.

How did they run the pit area? I looked at the website and they have some interesting rules about "hot" pits and "cold" pits. Were these rules enforced?

 

[Adam P]

the pits were not set up exactly as stated in the rules, they will be a lot closer to that kinda set up as events get bigger, do to the fact that many people were scared to show up and race for whatever reason, and there are NO PRO TEAMS SET UP,,, YET,,, we didn't have 50 people trying to get in and out of the pit area, the big difference with the pro pits is the racers and spectators are separated, all racers will get a event infield pass on a lanyard you wear around your neck,the infield is roped off (drivers tents, trailers,work areas ect..and pits, drivers stand, launch area ect..) if you don't have a infield pass you don't get to these areas, the way we set up the tents, was we lined them up along the infield boundary so spectators could walk up and see the boats and talk to drivers, and what not, on one side of the tent, then we go out the other side to walk to pits with the boat. As the events get bigger, what there intention is with the pits, is every driver has a pit man that can start there boat for them and launch it without the driver helping them, the driver does not go into the pit area he goes straight to the drivers stand, the pit man goes to the starting pit, starts the boat and launches it, instead of driver and pit man starting the boat in the pit, pit man scrambles to the launch area,,driver scrambles through the pit area to the stand dodging the other four pit men holding a ruining boat that are scrambling to the launch area to. As the events get bigger and this pit set up can be fully enforced, it will be much more efficient and safer for everybody, but as it stands now I don't know many people that travel with a dedicated pit man, OR TEAM, that they can confidently tell to go start there boat and launch it for theme while they go watch from the drivers stand,,,BUT WE WILL EVENTUALLY!!best thing I can tell you on that note is find a friend that likes to race different classes than you do and take turns being pit man for each other.

 

[Ron Olson]

Adam, the last part of your reply seened to be a sore spot for some people, the part about having someone else starting their boats. I'd rather fire minew up myself as I know my boat. With someone else doing it from a distance, I wouldn't be there to know exactly what was going on. Nobody knows your boat like you do.

 

[Adam P]

yea RON I agree there aren't many people i trust to treat my boat right,,but i only need one that I trust,, and I got that. FRED knows this is an issue, but safety is a very big issue to him to, we talked a lot about it and he does intend to make it that way,, thats why you will need a TEAM to race pro in the future when it gets bigger, and it will get bigger, but like I said, get a buddy that you do trust and you each run different classes, when you drive, he pits,, when he drives, you pit. When the average purse is $750 for 1st,,$500 for 2nd,,$250 for 3rd at the end of the weekend for each class you enter,, and up to $4,000 for OVERALL points leader(the person that has the most points when all there classes are combined) it's easy to justify doing some traveling and tryin real hard to find someone to travel with you.

 

[Norm Doerr]

Adam, the last part of your reply seened to be a sore spot for some people, the part about having someone else starting their boats. I'd rather fire minew up myself as I know my boat. With someone else doing it from a distance, I wouldn't be there to know exactly what was going on. Nobody knows your boat like you do.

Yes that is a problem. A lot of times it takes two people to start a nitro boat. I have NEVER seen one guy start ANY size nitro boat at a race. Yes maybe in testing NEVER racing. Even if the guy I test with and race with every race is starting my boat that person is going to want the transmitter right next to the boat he is starting. This rule basicly eliminates most PRO LEVEL nitro racers. I can't buy the safety issue that this is cradled in .... If these racers are PROS they should be able to allow two people per boat in the pits, after all they are PROS so they should know what they are doing.

Now is there any form of licensing involved? I know that in most Professional forms of racing you have to pass a test to drive at a certain level. I certainly would not want to be in a money race just to have someone who drives badly hit me because they are not at the level thier boat is. We all know that happens a LOT in the normal ranks of racing. I would think that someone should have to pass at least a driving test to go PRO. Maybe even a written exam too????

 

[Ron Olson]

Norm, here's the answer to your question..........

All members must be a NAMBA or IMPBA member in order to join the APRCRA. (Exception: Any person wanting to race who is not a member of either of the above organizations, may join but will be required to run a proficiency test ot determine ability to control, hold lanes, passing, etc., before being allowed to compete. These boaters will be allowed to run in "amateur" heats but not in the pro level heats.)

All this really shows is that being an IMPBA or NAMBA member is supposed to show that you have racing experience whether or not that person has ever raced or not.

 

[Chris Wood]

so i am curious and maybe this has been covered and i didn't see it.. where does the prize money come from?? is it just soley from entries.. or does someone put it up.. if a class payed 750.00 to win and you had 4 entries @ 35.00 each that is 140.00.

can someone explain as i am obviously missing something.....

thanks

chris

 

[Ron Olson]

So far the dude has been taking out of his own pocket. He's guaranteeing pay-out even if he has to do it himself.

 

[Adam P]

these are some of the very same issues I had and discussed with Fred, as far as pit men I believe each driver is allowed 2 pit men and the driver will be able to stand outside the pit fence next to his team while they start the boat, the main thing they are tryin to eliminate is drivers crossing paths with other pit men, I have seen and I'm sure many of you have to if you have been to many amateur races some pretty close calls in the pits with people turning around with there boat in hand ruining and bump into another person, usually a driver tryin to go across the flow of pitmen going to launch, if you eliminate the need for two paths leaving the pit area you will have less chance of people ruining into each other. When discussing the rules and issues with amateur org's accepting the APr\cRA with Fred before the Nashville race, It was my suggestion to add the rule about membership to one of the amateur org's to show the APr\cRA supports theme and isn't tryin to take people away from theme, it was my suggestion that you need to have placed 1st 2nd or 3rd in an amateur event in the class you are entering to be able to race, but the powers that be in the amateur org's that Fred was talking to thought that rule would exclude a lot of people that would like to try it, and like I said previously the APr\cRA is a fairly new org. and is tryin to to make a race series were there is none, and needs as many people as they can get to join, it won't be much of an event for spectators to watch if there is only a couple classes with three or four boats in theme, SO while they are in the first stages of BUILDING A PRO SERIES, there letting any who are willing to race enter. As it grows they intend to have qualifying heats to be able to get in the main event, if you can't drive,,you don't get a shot at the cash!! CHRIS to answer your question,, the money comes from sponsors who want there business advertised by the APr\cRA, and spectators will be charged a entry fee to come watch, just like any other PRO event in racing and sports!! One more thing I would like to mention on that note is,, just like amateur events,,events are hosted by a club that wants an event in there area and is willing to help manage that event, the benefit to hosting a PRO race is Fred and his people will be present at each race to help set up everything and run the event,,and the hosting club will get a % of the money taken at that event!!

 

[Don Ferrette]

Adam P, who are you? You've just joined I/W (12/20/07) & your bio is not filled out at all. No age, gender, location ..... nothing. Before this, which up to now seems like you promoting for the APR/CRA, you were non existent here. So before this goes any further ... again- WHO ARE YOU? :blink:

 

[Grimracer]

I dunno if its just me or what.. This whole Pro race, BIG MONEY thing just does not make sence for a hobby.. Is it just me?

Mike

 

[Buckshot]

I dunno if its just me or what.. This whole Pro race, BIG MONEY thing just does not make sence for a hobby.. Is it just me?
Mike

Not just you.

I agree.

-Buck-

 

[Ron Olson]

I dunno if its just me or what.. This whole Pro race, BIG MONEY thing just does not make sence for a hobby.. Is it just me?
Mike

Mike, I can see where some racers would like to recoup a few dollars if possible. This isn't a cheap hobby/sport to begin with.

For me to race, I lose 2 days pay, 8 hours at time and a half and 8 hours at double-time before heading out the door. Figure in gas costs which aren't getting any cheaper, food and motel costs plus whatever else is needed for a race weekend and it isn't cheap by any means.

Right now I'm just throwing in my neutral point of view on this matter and trying to see it through others eyes.

This body is not for me at this time as most of the races planned for the upcoming season are in the southeastern part of the country with only one up here in my neck of the woods. The only way that someone can win the Championship money is to attend more than one event.

 

[Don Ferrette]

Hmmm ..... why is it that "Adam P" dipped out as soon as I asked who he was?? He was on-line before during & after I posted asking him to give more info. <_<

And as for the money ............

If this thing gets rolling & becomes viable only well organized & most likely heavily sponsored teams are going to reap the "bennies". A one man show will not stand a chance ............. h34r:

And lastly ..... contrary to what some think this is not coming out of Fred's "pocket", there is money backing this little "venture". :huh:

 

[Marty Davis]

they offer basically the same classes as amateur org's offer now, if they get 3 or more boats in the same class entered then they run that class, the main difference between amateur and pro is you get paid if you win in pro, and you get nice trophy's, not just a wood plaque . membership fee is $100 a year, and just like amateur org's most of that is for insurance, they have much better insurance than amateur org's. Race entry is $35.00 for each class. I put the link to there sight a couple posts back, go check it out.

Adam:

I was looking for specifics. Numbers of boats that were entered, etc.

Marty Davis

 

[Roger Hooks Jr.]

Hmmm ..... why is it that "Adam P" dipped out as soon as I asked who he was?? He was on-line before during & after I posted asking him to give more info. <_<
And as for the money ............

If this thing gets rolling & becomes viable only well organized & most likely heavily sponsored teams are going to reap the "bennies". A one man show will not stand a chance ............. h34r:

And lastly ..... contrary to what some think this is not coming out of Fred's "pocket", there is money backing this little "venture". :huh:

I think this is interesting. If it is as self-sufficient as they portray it to be it will at least be a good promotional platform for the industry as a whole. Most people you play any sport are just hobbyist but the professional level provides plenty of promotion to keep the interest up.

 

[Adam P]

THERE IS THAT BETTER,, profile updated,,,,I don't just sit in this forum waiting for someone to speak, I check my computer when I walk by it,, and make comments when I have time,, I DO have a Life YA KNOW!!! the reason I'm here is I heard there was a discussion on this topic here that wasn't just a bunch of blind bashing, and I think this hobby\sport needs to go to the next level, for that to happen people need to sign up and race, I can't race all the boats myself!!

 

[Adam P]

I dunno if its just me or what.. This whole Pro race, BIG MONEY thing just does not make sence for a hobby.. Is it just me?
Mike

LOL,, don't you make money for your participation in this hobby??

 

[Grimracer]

Nope.. your some what “edgamcated guess” was wrong.. I make living designing boats.. not racing them...

Show me in the GRAND scope of things where money racing will take our hobby? I have been at this toy racing thing along time.. not saying im right or wrong but show me were it took or is taking slot car racing.. yup.. the hobby of racing toy slot cars… Heck. maybe you are a past regional champion or top 10 at the USRA nationals?.. after all we did just moments ago learn of your profile. Maybe you have more experience then the rest of us as to HOW money racing has improved your way of life and added loads of fun to your hobby….

So far Rogers analogy has made the most amount of sense to me. He is looking at a kind of global awareness to the “hobby” not JUST making money heat racing RC boats.

Mike

 

[Don Ferrette]

they offer basically the same classes as amateur org's offer now, if they get 3 or more boats in the same class entered then they run that class, the main difference between amateur and pro is you get paid if you win in pro, and you get nice trophy's, not just a wood plaque . membership fee is $100 a year, and just like amateur org's most of that is for insurance, they have much better insurance than amateur org's. Race entry is $35.00 for each class. I put the link to there sight a couple posts back, go check it out.

Adam:

I was looking for specifics. Numbers of boats that were entered, etc.

Marty Davis

Marty if I recall correctly something like 3 or 4 racers total showed up to the first "pro race".