Mark <br> <br>You asked for a list of sports with tight rules. The following sports/assoc. have tighter rules than what has been proposed. <br> <br>Nascar (Winston cup, Busch, and the Truck Series) <br>Not to mention IROC (one design) <br>Cart <br>IRL <br>GT <br>GTA <br>Formula 1 <br>Formula 3 <br>Formula FORD <br>IHRA (pro gas, pro-modified, basically all BUT the local street stock class and those are just about as loose as we've proposed) <br>IOPA (racing airplanes --by class) <br>DRAG Boats <br>OFFShore Race Boats (except unlimiteds -- which are similar in rules to proposed) <br>AMerica's cup <br>Open 60's <br>French Racing TRi's (you tried to throw that one past but, have you ever read the rules for them? There are really tight!) <br> <br>DO I need to go on?? THere is an existing formula that works when it comes to "FORMULA-Type" racing. Why are catsailors so resistant to what works in every other motor/mechanical sport? <br> <br>The basic outline that is under proposal is starting to work. Will give everyone an even playing field. Will provide for some good rivalry. Pull at the heart strings of brand loyalty while using existing designs, networks, race teams, support groups, and only expand the base of sailors from which to draw from (by including a weight formula that encourages monohull sailors to come and play). <br> <br>Mark, I know that lighter boats can be built. But for right now that starts an arms race that would kill the class. The rules are formulated in a manner that if you can build a stronger, durable boat that is lighter than 390-400 lbs then you can add up to 45 lbs to make it legal. But just make sure that your crew weighs in at 350 because you used all the corrector weight on the boat! Be realistic. You have to start somewhere and this compromise is the best place so far. Unless you want to find two manufacturers that will build open formula boats then donate 30-40 boats each to become the basis of this class. The total dollars for that would total between $900,000 and $1.4 million (based ona manufaturers cost of 15K a boat which we all know can't be reached) And I don't know of any manufacturers in the world that could A. afford to do it, B. see any financial incentive to do it if they could afford it or C. have a reason to do it when they could built boats to compete in this formula and MAKE money. <br> <br>When you look at the numbers the worldwide number of 20 foot beach cats it is significantly less than the number of 2001 Ford F350 XLT 4X4 platnium series pick up truck (9,718). I just put these numbers up for us all to see how puny our beloved sport is. We need to work on the size of our sport not the size/weight of what boat could be built. <br> <br>Lets concentrate on this first and the second when it becomes relevant from business mans perspective. <br> <br>Thanks <br>Steve <br><br><br>
