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Yep, the whole point of creating the stock classes is to enhance what is already in place and give members an extra bit more as Steve has already explained. It is all done with the serious intent of bringing growth to our clubs and association, which is about sport racing our 'toy boats' in NZ. After all that is what we are doing, some would think we are a bit weird...

Its always going to be hard (if not impossible) to please everyone , The aussies have a very simple set of rules regarding engines , 23-25cc then open up to 35cc , one thing I realised after making a few trips to race over there is that a good p2 engine will stand up no problems to a p3 , I ran a 26 with 1mm stroker and was plenty fast enough up against the big blocks.
They also have a one boat one class rule, meaning you can only enter a hull in one class (plus open oval) , although I myself have been running round the pits swapping motors I have come to the realisation that if you you want to get a boat trimmed up and running to its potential then changing the setup all the time is not going to get you there.
I dont think we should get rid off well supported classes like sport hydro and t2 but maybe the introduction of p3 has been whats jamming up the race schedule?, too many classes?.
Maybe for sport hydro we could introduce a rule that states that the hull must be picklefork (with the deck cutout greater than 10% of hull length?,this would stop the thunderboat double ups.
Im just like everyone else , wanting to get as much run time at an event as possible, but maybe its about making it work for the greater good?.
I also think that the nats should be for oval sprint racing only (Im sure I will get killed over that suggestion lol), most other countries run this format simply to streamline and get through things faster.
Something to chew over?
Cheers
Damian

I'm afraid I disagree with you Damian on the Aussie set of rules regarding engine sizes as 26 to 27cc is a major cut off point. A standard Zenoah 260 would then be in the up to 35cc class and wouldn't stand a chance. Hey lets keep this debate going as I think some good things could come out of it. I have to be honest here and say I am not in favour of stock classes because of motor restrictions, but if it is going to help the sport then I will support it.

To shorten the Nationals has anybody thought of reducing the number of races in each class and to compensate increase the length of the races. If the program had 5 races in each class at 5 laps a time this could be reduced to three races at 8 laps. This would cut an enormous amount of time from the days racing.

Hi all,
With respect, we see a lot of people come into the hobby, and want and get super fast stuff they have no show of driving proprly without doing damage to themselves and others ( again, no disrespect, but Brian would attest to this from some of his own experiences, and thats just at club level !) and often leave the hobby again quite dejected.( I could name several from the BOP alone that have given up, and others that struggle with stuff that goes too quick for them just yet)
If we have stock classes where guys can come in where there is lesser risk, learn the ropes and how to drive with all the consideration and skill required, then we have a better chance of retaining them. A number of current guys now will freely admit that they start to struggle to drive anything quicker than 100 kh, so the stock classes will provide them the clean close racing they desire, and in doing so we anticipate better retention of members.Thats why T1 is so popular, closer cleaner racing with most boats finishing most heats.All = more fun which is the common denominator we all seek...?

Cheers, ST.