what needs to be done to increase the fan base and popularity of unlimited hydroplane racing

[Tim Matyn]

I have tried to start a discussion about the "state of the sport" and what needs to be done to increase its fan base, which will result in greater sponsor interest, more media exposure, more races, TV covereage, etc., etc., etc.

I have already given my thoughts on the discussion tab of the H1 Unlimited website, but I would like to hear more input from more fans, and more input from H1 on their plans. Comments?

[Phil Lampman]

John, great idea! I like it. It may not fully address the original question that Tim posed, but it is certainly a start and some truly creative thinking on your part.  Does anyone remember the program Channel 9 did on "Things that aren't here anymore" several years ago? A similar reflection, perhaps updated, would be a great introduction. Having the museum volunteers (and maybe include some notables like Chip and Villwock and JW and Kayleigh...)  Count me in. (thumbs up)

Can't cost much, if anything, can it...  I think they even feed the volunteers down there. That ought to get at least a couple of museum members out, even though I promised I would never mention his name...

 

Forgive me.

John Leidle said:

   Exposure. How many people do you talk to that are aware of the Thunderboats being repaired & driven???    Have we ever been on PBS  Channel 9 during the fund raiser?  We could man the phones & Dave could talk to the public.Pledge $125.00 & get a picture of a driver or a CD.

  John

[Dudley J Bacon]

Your point number 2 is true in Nascar and the IRL. a couple of teams run up front every race. with the unlimiteds it's more like formula one. it's all over after the first turn. it will always be the big money teams leading the way. I know we all miss the boats from the 50 's and sixty's. but ever since, the races were won by two or three teams. Bud, Circus,Pak. lower the prices, kick out the heavy beer drinkers and call it a day.

[Mark A Baldwin]

We all would like to see the the sport of unlimited hydroplane racing to be like it was in the days of yor.

But like any other sport of this nature times and equiptment have changed do to technology.

Boat design as well as powerplants have evolved since the 1950's.

I like the change to the boats fighting for their startings lanes.Have them estabished prior to exiting the

exit bouy on the start turn.This might also reguvinate the flying start.As you remember was a exilerating experience.

Also alter the race course back to 3 or more nautical miles.Widening the turns and straightaways.

Make the preliminary heats 5 laps instead of 3 as they are now.Might be a formula for greater competition.

Extend the championship heat to 6 or maybe 7 laps.This current slow bog to the start line is fan condusive.

I like the two day race schedule.It gives the fans some racing action for both days.

The addition of the unlimited lights is also a great attraction.It gives the fans added hydroplane action between heats.

We also need more commercial sponser envolvement.Not meaning more party barges but monetary endowenents.

Making it more afforebable for new fans to come and watch the races.Sitting lakeside on the beach as times

gone by.I was raised in the Rainier Beach area all my life.There were two things all always wanted to be as a kid.

First was to be an unlimited hydroplane driver.Second was to be a fullback for the Washington Huskies.

At my age both are gone.But to this day I would give my left *** to still drive in unlimiteds.

May long live this sport.Unlimited hydroplane racing to me is not a sport,it is a spectacle.

 

Thank You

 

Mark A Baldwin

 

[Tim Matyn]

Thanks for adding your thoughts to our discussion.  Hopefully H1 is listening and is still open to suggestions on how to improve the races in 2011.  I agree that the heats should be at least 5 laps, and the final should be longer, but I still don't understand why people think the two-day program is desirable.  In Detroit, I usually sit at the judges stand seats, and I it's obvious that the crowd there is only half as large on Saturday as it is on Sunday, even though the tickets cost $100+.

Don't you think more people would buy the tickets for all the viewing areas if the price was less?  And why wouldn't they be if the cost to put on the race was reduced by making it a one day event? Back in the '60s and '70s there were more boats, longer heats, and larger crowds--and all races were one day events.

The race is "dragged out" into a two day affair in Detroit by adding inflatable boats, vintage boats, and airplanes between heats on Saturday, and then they repeat all of the same stuff on Sunday while spreading out the unlimited heats by 2-3 hours.  Is that what most fans really come to see?  I don't think so!

[Phil Lampman]

Tim, 

I don't agree. At least from a promotional point of view. If a one-day event is such a good idea, then why do most other motorsports events extend to 2 or 3 days - even a week in the case of NASCAR's Daytona 500 - if condensing into a single day might be better. You can bet it has to do with money. Not just for the organizers, but for the local community in terms of hotel stays, resturants, etc.

I tend to agree with the notion that the unlimited race should be a single day event, as it has been way back when. But why not return to the format in which qualifying is also a major part of the event? Why not add some scheduled testing days, ala NASCAR and other motorsports festivals?

Sure the Saturday crowds may only be half that on Sunday, but I suspect some of the Saturday crowd is there for the one day and the rest are comprised of people who also show up on Sunday - and they all buy tickets. Money money money.

So far as the supporting events go, inflatable boats notwithstanding, if you're going to ask people to pay something, then you'd better provide them with the value that will make them want to return year after year. Far be it for me to suggest what the right formula might be, but has anyone every surveyed the people in the community - an easy thing to do via the internet - to see what they want to see? In Seattle, for example, Seafair's own survey suggests that the air show is more popular than the races. Hey, if it brings in the money, maybe the air show ought to be expanded. (yes, I am aware that this can be an inconvenience to the boat teams...)

I'm going to stick my neck out here and offer a thought that might anger some people. The annual SEAFAIR celebration is not for the sole benefit of the unlimited hydroplane teams. It is for the benefit of our community, both business and private. The races, love them as we all do, are just part of much larger plan. The races, like the air show, the Torchlight parade and even the local neighborhood events - which used to be so much a part of the annual celebration - are simply a part of the festival. They are not, in themselves, the "reason" for the festival.

Frankly, given last year's near-cancellation of the race over a "mere" $40K, or whatever it was, ought to send a message to the boat racing community (arguably H1?) they had better figure out some way to keep the crowd on the lakeshore (and watching on TV) entertained and buying tickets or the wonderful tradition of our favorite summer activity is possibly going the way of our NBA team..

In summary, Tim, I am not inclined to think the Seafair event should be condensed to a single day, but rather stretched out to several days and even a week or more. I have no solid ideas of how to do that, but hopefully Seafair and H1 and the Air Show and parade people can figure it out. The point being is that the TOTAL EVENT, not just the races, should benefit the community, and that includes the business community,  not just a few boat racing teams or the US Navy recruiting program..

Does any of this make sense to anyone? I realize the forum here is largely disposed to the races, but.....c'mon. Let's get everyone together on this

[Tim Matyn]

Philip, I think we are really in agreement.  The boat race should be a one day event!  The total event, Seafair, Bayfair, or whatever they're calling it, can be as many days as they want, with as many auxiliary events as they can put together, to satisfy everbody's interests. Just run the boat race in one day!! The people who want to watch airplanes can watch airplanes, etc., but why "drag out" the boat race?  NASCAR and Indy events last all week, granted, but the race itself is a ONE day event, even though it's 500 miles in duration.  I love the "big' boats and wish I lived in Seattle so I could help you restore the Blue Blaster, my son's favorite hydro of all time, but all I'm saying is that everyone doesn't have our passion and they don't understand why they have to sit around all day for two days to decide who gets the trophy.  And maybe those people would be happier if we didn't take all that time to get to a final heat which lasts less than 10 minutes!

[William Black]

Tim, Not ALL of the vintage unlimiteds are in Seattle. The Miss US is in Detroit and my GALE V replica is in Neosho Missouri. The vintage unlimiteds have matured to the point that five or six could get together and put on a really good show.

Bill

[Tim Matyn]

Yes, Bill, I understand.  I had the pleasure of seeing your  Gale V replica last year at Sindbads and again in the pits.  I hope you are right, and some of the Seattle museum's boats will come to Detroit for the Gold Cup.  No one appreciates the rich history of our sport more than the people of Detroit.  Seattle needs to start a Detroit branch of their museum. Should I tell them I'm available?

[William Black]

Tim, As I found out taking one of these boats cross country is not cheap. I know the Seattle guys would be interested in coming to Detroit if their expenses were off set. Perhaps we could find a series sponsor for vintage unlimiteds and make the circut? We are struggling to get ours race ready ASAP.

Bill

Tim Matyn said:

Yes, Bill, I understand.  I had the pleasure of seeing your  Gale V replica last year at Sindbads and again in the pits.  I hope you are right, and some of the Seattle museum's boats will come to Detroit for the Gold Cup.  No one appreciates the rich history of our sport more than the people of Detroit.  Seattle needs to start a Detroit branch of their museum. Should I tell them I'm available?

[Phil Lampman]

Oh, what a spectacle that would be; the Miss US and the legendary Gale V on the water - or even in a static display - with the likes of Slo-mo V, Miss Bardahl, Miss Thriftway, Miss Wahoo, et al. I would have to bring my crying towel to that reunion. Somebody, please make this happen before we get too old to recall what all the fuss was about. I think I would even hitchhike to Detroit, if necessary. I have to think however, that considering total costs for logistics, it might make more sense to to bring two boats (or more) to Seattle than to bring several boats to Detroit. 

Wouldn't it be great if we could do both cities, with Tri-Cities thrown in to the mix as well (and maybe tap for financial aid?)

William Black said:

Tim, Not ALL of the vintage unlimiteds are in Seattle. The Miss US is in Detroit and my GALE V replica is in Neosho Missouri. The vintage unlimiteds have matured to the point that five or six could get together and put on a really good show.

Bill

[William Black]

Phil,  Just as a little tease...here is the first picture of the Thriftway and GALE V together since 1956.

Bill

[Phil Lampman]

Oh, yeah...

 

Where was that photo taken? What are the plans for getting the Gale V back into the water?, if any.

 

I'm not sure which makes me more pleased; the notion that both of these icons - though replicas - may again appear together on the water, or that there are some terrific people out there who are willing to spend the money - lots of money  - to build these boats "again". Sadly, like the original hulls, Muncey and Cantrell are both gone. But to those of us who grew up with the rivalry and the thunder, it's easy to imagine them both on the water again.

 

Make it happen, somebody...

William Black said:

Phil,  Just as a little tease...here is the first picture of the Thriftway and GALE V together since 1956.

Bill