SORC ballot #5 announcement of rules adoption
All proposals below have been approved by the majority in the balloting of the SORC
1) Mercury 402xs
Proposal: Remove the engine completely from our class structure.
Reason: It is no longer used.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
2) BSR Side fins
Proposal: Remove entire rule.
Tech manual page 16, Hulls A.4.a)
a) BSR ONLY: With the exception of after-plane fins mounted on the transom, turning fin(s) must be mounted on the planing surface. When the fin is mounted on the planing surface, the fin blade must be perpendicular to, and not extend beyond, the vertical plane of the planing surface. Marathon racing is excluded.
Reasons:
To promote the growth of a dying class.
The future pool of drivers in the BSR class are the drivers currently running the side fin ASR & AXR classes.
If our younger drivers want to move into a faster runabout class their options are limited.
With a long learning curve required to become proficient rolling up a runabout, the current BSR is not an attractive option for the upcoming drivers.
The BSR class has not seen growth since the fin rule was put in place.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
(The SORC is currently discussing a proposal that would reverse this decision)
3) Marathon Engine Inspection
Rule: Bottom of page 4 of the tech manual. (Levels of Inspection)
Proposal: Remove Marathon National Championships from Level 2 & add it to Level 3.
Reason: This is based on the fact that it is a national championship and counts the same towards the HOC, that it should be a complete tear down just like the closed course summer nationals.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website
4) Hot Rod 20ci
Proposal: Remove the engine completely from our class structure.
Reason: It is no longer used.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
5) BSH weight
Proposal: Raise the minimum weight in the BSH class to 375 lbs from the current 365 lbs.
Reason: The Sidewinder 20S is 10+ lbs. heavier than the Hot Rod.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
(The SORC is currently discussing a proposal that would reverse this decision)
6) BSR weight
Proposal: Raise the minimum weight in the BSR class to 375 lbs from the current 360 lbs.
Reason: The Sidewinder 20S is 10+ lbs. heavier than the Hot Rod.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
(The SORC is currently discussing a proposal that would reverse this decision)
7) Sidewinder 15H
Proposal: Remove the engine completely from our class structure.
Reason: It is no longer used.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
8) 300SSH class cooling
Proposal: Allow the 300 class engines to have the same new cooling rule as the rest of our Yamato engine classes.
Reasons:
1) Some 300 drivers report issues with cooling.
2) This will allow cross over into other Yamato classes.
3) This is not a requirement to do so and is up to each driver if needed.
4) This is only cooling and not a speed advantage.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
9) 20SSH
Proposal: Make the Model 321, the motor of choice in 20SSH.
Reasons:
1) Stock Outboards mission statement reads: Stock Outboard will attempt good competition in all classes via a philosophy of allowing the motor of choice in each class to be the currently manufactured engine.
2) We know by the 20 class having 2 engines of choice, it has caused some current drivers and potential new drivers some un-rest.
3) We should only have 1 engine per class, as the engine of choice, for all our classes. In 20, it should be Yamato 321.
4) I fully understand that both Sidewinder 20S and the Yamato 321 are currently manufactured engines. By having 2 engines designated as engines of choice, it does not add to the stability of the class.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
10) 25SSR Motor of Choice
Proposal: On page 14 of the Tech Manual where we list the Permitted engines for each class put an * next to the Yamato 302 – 321 as the Motor of choice.
Reason: The class is heavily weighted to Yamato power and making any other engine the “Motor of choice” will be detrimental in the stability of the class or obtaining growth. I would suggest there be no “parity” adjustments to the class at this time. We seem to have a fairly good balance in this class.
After passage of the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
11) Yamato 300 series roping plates
Proposal: Remove the language in the chart on page 78 of the tech manual that states that you must use the old style transistor with the old style roping plate. Also remove the language that states that you must use the new style transistor with the new style roping plate.
Issue: The old style roping plate is no longer available.
If passed by the SORC, this issue would be effective 30 days after posting on the APBA website.
12) Stock Outboard Western Championships
Southern California Outboard Association (SCOA) would like to hold the Western Championships at Havasu Landing, California on March 3-4, 2018.
13) Stock Outboard Eastern Championships
The South Shore Outboard Association would like to defer their race from Standish, Maine to Jesup, Georgia. This race would then be held on April 5-8 by the Peace River Outboard Association.
Please see your local commissioner if you have any questions or email me at stockoutboard@apba.org.
Thank you, Jeff Brewster - Stock Outboard Chairman