Region 7.... this is sad

[Doogie]

I went out to the Irwin Racing/HotWater deal at St.Pete this weekend, after sleeping in a bit Saturday, and not even getting to the site until noon, I was surprised to see they were still doing practice. And surprised at the turnout... maybe 30-40 skis total. This was supposed to be the last race of the season, double points... and they had to combine so many classes it was hard to keep up, and I know what to look for!
I have been away from racing for about 5 or 6 years now, and after this weekend, i'm realluy not sure if I even want to come back, after talking to 8 different guys in the pits, the storys were all the same. No one is happy with how the events are being put on, and how they are being treated by the promoters. I really dont have too much room to bitch, seeing as how I am not involved(yet) but as a potential participant, I would have expected more. If this was how the first race I attended was put on, I woulda never started. Anyone know how to get ahold of Chris Lauber?? That guy knew what was going on, and he had full fields, kept everything on schedule.... put it on right.
and I might add... its a real treat to see that there isnt a conflict of interest by having the promoters son racing, man... that kid isnt bad...lets see, yellow plate, hmmm expert... ok, so experts know the difference between yellow and red buoys, right? Also, I'm sure he helped set up the course, so there was no way that he would have intentionally ran over that guy right??
I seen it from the pier, Josh Irwin never even turned left until he was almost in the tray with the guy he rammed, and he didnt have anyone inside of him to prevent him from turning either... it got a little ugly, nothing that a few more lost racers cant fix, right???
On another note, I finally got to see goDocgo's Blaster run in person.... damn that thing flys, i'm glad my HX was still at home. At least everyone in the pits havent turned into pricks yet. C'mon guys... if you race, want to race, used to race, whatever... we need to come up with something that the Irwins will listen to, or start our own tour, or abandon Central FL altogether, I really have no desire do go all the way to N. FL, GA, AL or even the Carolinas just to race, but if thats what it takes, then i'm northbound on 75!!
Thanks for listening to me bitch, and thanks also to everyone that I talked to Sat and Sun,
-Doogie=

[RonnyMac]

Irwin racings reputation has gone down the crapper. Last year there was bad reports from Irwin events too.
Do yourself a favor and attend a Surf and Turf event. Mike Young is the man in region 7. :biggrin:

Check out these galleries of Surf and Turf events this year.
http://www.x-h2o.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=101

http://www.x-h2o.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=132

http://www.x-h2o.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=165

[Doogie]

I definately agree... I attended the Macon race back in 01, had a blast... and I blew up in practice!!!
my only problem is that i'm from Central FL... and all of Mikes races are N.FL and farther, i'm sure I dont have to remind ya'll about $3 gallon gas!!
But like I said, if thats what it takes... then this cracker is headin NORTH!

Hopefully he'll get the Macon race rescheduled soon and I can make that
-Doogie=

[FLY6584]

Irwin racings reputation has gone down the crapper. Last year there was bad reports from Irwin events too.
Do yourself a favor and attend a Surf and Turf event. Mike Young is the man in region 7. :biggrin:

Check out these galleries of Surf and Turf events this year.
http://www.x-h2o.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=101

http://www.x-h2o.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=132

http://www.x-h2o.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=165


Hey Ronny all of your galleries have pics of chicks, ski class, and runabout class.

Don't get me wrong I love the seeing pics of T & A, but I'd like to see some pics of some blasters/hx's in the sport class.

Let me know if I missed one of your galleries that had some pics of the sport class.

Thanks.

[Tiny]

The Irwins have been getting a bad rap since they started... I think this is their last year doing it.....But on the other hand, you cant say it is all their fault...The Farthings were supposed to stay on with them and help them get the hang of things for a few races, but since the Irwins didnt pay them all the monies for the sales of the Hot Water Tour and equipment, the Farthings bailed, and I dont blame them.....

Looks like you are just gonna have to make a little drive if you want the best Region 7 racing to be found.......

[Sanford]

Yeah...I too was bummed.

I posted pictures of the St. Pete event here (http://www.pwctoday.com/showthread.php?t=84542)

I didn't go into detail but I left the event early.

[Jetrace19]

Hey doogie and the rest of region 7..maybe kinda early...but keep your eyes and ears peeled...2007 may be a good year for us if all pans out. I'll get into details once I know more.

[Doogie]

I hope your right.
Like I was saying before, I cant really bitch too much, i'm not even racing yet, and they did step up and try to take over from Dustin, but for whatever reason... theyre just notpulling in crowds or keeping anyone happy.
oh well... lets hope we get saved!

[Chopper]

It's too bad. We need people to hang in there for the racing and the freestyle. I have been to a lot of events where I didn't agree with how they were run... But the way I see it is that racing is better than sitting home on the couch.

I hope things get better for you guys.

[Sanford]

if we didnt have our freeride the same weekend, i wouldve been there.Because of my early reservations, I opted for the race instead of the St. Aug deal. Hindsight, I made a bad call.

I was going to drive to St. Aug for the freeride event early Sunday am (6am) but watching the weather report it said high chance of rain on the N.E side of FL. I chickened out :pat:

On the good side, Clearwater at night rocks :Banane09:That place goes-off at night like Ft. Lauderdale use to do back before they banned spring break.

[Hammockbay]

Does ABPA or IJSBA sanciton promotors (fines, probationary status, etc.) when they fail to meet established criteria? Or are there even any criteria established? What does it take to be a sanctioned promoter? Can they slap the APAB or IJSBA Sanctioned event on anything they want? Just wondering...

[Doogie]

JetRace19.... sounds like you got something up your sleeve, or know someone who does, give us a hint!!

[scottie mac]

I can't believe people are complaining about having to drive from central to northern florida????? We drive from VA to JERSEY!!!! Or worse. :)

We need all the promotors we can get, I haven't attended an Irwin race, but I would if I was closer. Like someone said earlier, better to race at all that the sit at home on a couch.

Scott

[Doogie]

I guess I shouldnt complain, as compared to others. But for me to run any SnT its about a minimum of 6 hrs 1 way, for example... Macon 6 hrs. Ft Walton 7 1/2 - 8, Orange Beach AL, 9 hrs... it took me 11 hrs to go from Richmond VA, to home, and that was through the nite, straight shot, haulin ass!
And its true that its better to race than to sit at home, just weighin the factors here. I'm not the only one who doesnt agree with how things are run, but is it worth the extra money for the better deal, better set up, better competition? Definately, if I was 20 again, trying to move through the ranks and be a pro rider, but now... its debatable.
I dont know, maybe we've been spoiled down here, at one time we had 3 promoters in FL, now its 2, one whos close but puts on shotty events, and one who puts on a damn good show, but is at least 6 hours away.
I dunno.....

[Big Kahuna]

Hey Doogie, I would love to have 6 hour drives

Orange Beach 4.5
Myrtle Beach 9
Lake Norman 8
Tupelo 2

2 races were fairly close, other two long drive

[butti]

it's cool.. we had a really good time at st aug.. but i did feel bad taking away from the races that same weekend.. i cant remember the last time we had a freeride the same weekend as a race, but, its just the way it worked out i guess. come out to the next one, the guys in central florida really have their stuff together. i was very impressed with how organized everyone was.. support boats, pontoon boats that act as floating repair docks out at the break, picture boats, hottie females for eye candy support!, ...etc.. :cool2: :arms:

to the irwin family, sorry, we didn't purposely conflict with you guys!



isnt it cool how there is enough stuff going on these days to have scheduling conflicts:smile:

[FL-cracker]

Yea, I was gona race godocos back up ski, but bailed due to being broke dick dady. I think I will try and make the National in Ten. If My boat feels pretty quick and I get it tuned well. I want to race 20 guys in a Moto, not 3-4! I hope the course is pretty tight, or else I will be fuced with my Limited wet pipe!

[FL-cracker]

^^^^^Hells yea! I will hit up a few FO SHO! I hope there are some good new organizers!

[primetime1267]

Hey cracker!!! Have you postd any pics of your boat?? I went looking for some but couldn't find any..

[FL-cracker]

^^^^^No I have not, It looks like hell right now, But I will get some pics up this weekend. Its still just a half sanded Barney mobile, I should have waited on sanding till I was ready to paint, It was a very clean stock looking sleeper.

I just cant stand the purple, but dont want to do a Half arse paint job, I will more then likely tear it down this winter for paint, but I need a SJ first, It sucks having to practice on my friends all the time. hahahaha, I ride it about 3or 4x as much as he rides it lately. Not sure why, he is just more about chillen bs'n on the beach, mackn on the ladys, and get beat to hell on a tube. I dont mind gives me more time for showin off for the ladys, and getting better, and going bigger!

I am hoping to be able to throw some big flat water stabs with the added power, and weight reduction+ foot straps. Before I just kinda squezzed the boarding hndles with shoes on my feet, and was doing huge Subs 25-30mph bounce.....under se ya bye style. It does not like to run underwater is the only ********y thing, so it just kinda wabbles back up, but I probably stay down a few seconds on a good inverted one. I have never seen or heard of anyone else doin this. You should see the onlookers faces when I bust it!

[FL-cracker]

I will have some vid in like a week or so. Still waiting on crank bearing alighnment pins...

[JetskiMobile1]

I agree, we have made some long trips this year same as you. We also went to NY 23 hours & Ohio 13 hours.



Hey Doogie, I would love to have 6 hour drives

Orange Beach 4.5
Myrtle Beach 9
Lake Norman 8
Tupelo 2

2 races were fairly close, other two long drive

[RonnyMac]

Hey Ronny all of your galleries have pics of chicks, ski class, and runabout class.

Don't get me wrong I love the seeing pics of T & A, but I'd like to see some pics of some blasters/hx's in the sport class.

Let me know if I missed one of your galleries that had some pics of the sport class.

Thanks.

Just added some sport pix in the LKN gallery! :biggrin:

http://x-h2o.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=132

[the only couch rider]

I'm going to take my blaster out this weekend ... i plan to line it up at the gate with the reg7 crew and take my chances next year!

is this gonna be like your short lived freestyle career? j/k you know you got my support when your at a race

[the only couch rider]

lol.. probably!

at least i HAVE the stones to compete at all! most people dont!

true.... it's funny how all the weekend warriors say they can do it and then when they go see a race in person, their balls magically disappear

[Doogie]

stirring the pot a little more...
I found this on Irwins website, top dead center where we can all see it.
Seems like their feeling some heat

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat."

TEDDY ROOSEVELT