A growing trend appears to be happening in many parts of the world. Maybe it’s due to the economy, the very expensive cost of new equipment, people’s change in interest, people not wanting to be restricted in choice, their attitude toward competitive vs fun....or could be all of these. Plus there are not many current OPC established classes drawing interest and growth.
There is a need for change.
Race event organizers are mixing established race classes with other race classes plus they are added “Race What You Bring Entries “ to race within that group.
We always had the rule that you could move up a class to race in the next higher class, but you couldn’t drop from the higher class down to a lower class. We did expand sum in T Class by allowing certain motors , different hull designs to race. But, we were very restricted as to the size of the boat and it’s affect on the water conditions especially in the corners and the overall competitiveness of that entry to the other entries racing in the race. We certainly wanted the top actual TRUE Class top runners in the race to win. The other entries were racing among themselves either to gain experience, promoting a new class or just for fun.
So in that way we were creative compared to other classes but maybe we need to expand our thinking.
We know from threads on this site that there is interest in Medium Performance Boats, Small tunnels, Tiller Boats, 4 Stroke outboards, modified outboards even electric outboards.
We know from our T Class development that it’s important to showcase these different combinations at race events so the fans can see these boats and motors.
Let’s not make the same mistake and restrict the number of competitive entries by unnecessary rule changes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrOzovpDPzY
