Honda 2010 ????

[Scream-it.com]

Let's start the debate for clarification:

I see Four Nations Offshore has been set up on behalf of Honda teams following meetings with F4SA and Steve Curtis earlier in the year and a meeting in Exmouth in June attended by several teams from both classes. Four Nations (who do mail me) is proposing to run the series from 2010. Honda have backed out as planned and announced in November 2007.

Now I hear on the grapevine(as of course I am off their mailing list despite spending £60,000 with them) that F4SA says it has exciting plans for 2010 to announce between Cowes and the Isle of Man race this year. Could somebody from F4SA have the nonce to say if this is a concerted effort or a backroom split and for once show some leadership as in particular the 225 class is in free fall along with boat values which obviously doesn't effect those running the series as they don't bloody own one! Last year 18 this year 3 finished in in the last Lowestoft race after 7 turned up.

I have a Honda 225 boat which thanks to the mess made by Honda and it's terrible handover to F4SA Ltd I cannot sell but am keen to see how the series may be developed.

So the question is this:

What is happening? and why does F4SA take so long to plan whilst we see these boats remain unsalable or going out of the UK? People are finalising events for 2010 in other series and yet F4SA, despite having good cash injections can't advise in good time for either planning or sponsorship.

The ORDA and OCR people would welcome Honda teams and many of us "Honda or ex Honda people" believe that linking up with others is both great fun and would benefit all classes and the sport.

Honda is dead! Long live Four Nations?

[DAVE]

From an ORDA point of view, we have made it clear to anybody that would listen that we would make Honda crews welcome, to race on the same start as the Offshore Classes, either directly competeing with 3C/3B or as a Stand alone competion, their choice. We cant be more open or fairer than that.
Even if they came to us / OCRDA for a couple of events, and had a couple of their own as well, which they could invite us to.
We will be happy to meet with whoever we need to to make everybodys events proper and affordable for clubs and competitors.

[Scream-it.com]

[QUOTE=DAVE;163799]From an ORDA point of view, we have made it clear to anybody that would listen that we would make Honda crews welcome,

At the moment there are plenty of "Honda Teams" who have no idea who is going to lead the series or which direction it will take. I personally believe change is necessary - after all it only has one way to go now in 225. I hear Steve has done a deal with Mercury for XS250s. Come one Steve make an announcement!

If you don't want to back Tony's and the supporting teams Four Nations initiative just say so (or Commander Brian) and then we can all breath a sigh of relief! Cos we here know you get to know about Boatmad don't we?

In the words of Cold Play:

"The spies hide out in every corner"!

[Cookee]

[QUOTE=Scream-it.com;163802]

Originally Posted by DAVE

I hear Steve has done a deal with Mercury for XS250s. Come one Steve make an announcement!

That won't work - they are allegedly out of production!

[Scream-it.com]

[QUOTE=Cookee;163803]

Originally Posted by Scream-it.com

That won't work - they are allegedly out of production!

I guess he can pull strings as I hear they are now a Mercury dealer?

[MIKE HUNT]

knowing how commander brian works if there is nothing in it for him then it wont happend i know him before honda ! and i would not trust him 1 inch !!! i hope it all works out for you guys with the boats lot of money spent with nothing to do !

[dowdy]

Only 3 225s finished because the box of spares didnt have enough saddles to go round after day 1,they all broke(again).

[cider daze]

Originally Posted by dowdy

Only 3 225s finished because the box of spares didnt have enough saddles to go round after day 1,they all broke(again).

You clearly dont know what your talking about,

[dowdy]

Originally Posted by cider daze

You clearly dont know what your talking about,

So theres no broken engine mounts then?

[cider daze]

You said they all broke on day one

[dowdy]

Tell me something please,has yours ever broke,since youve been racing Honda?How many others do you know of out of the 18 boats that have raced over the last two years?

[Scream-it.com]

Originally Posted by dowdy

Tell me something please,has yours ever broke,since youve been racing Honda?How many others do you know of out of the 18 boats that have raced over the last two years?

Twice in two years for me - why do you think I don't want to race in more basics etc...I'm scared of losing the engine!!

[dowdy]

The official line from f4sa states"weather abuse",if the weather was that bad the bods in charge should not have let them go out,more than half of an already rapidly depleting fleet now with busted kit,the 1st post hits it bang on the nail,"they dont own one",i have never been a fan of the 225 engine and i know a lot of you honda racers (even tho you wont say it publicly)are of the same mind,cut your losses and bin it,it will only break again.Get this season done with and have a good look at what else is goin on out and about.

[cider daze]

have a good look at what else is goin on out and about, your quote, so tell us in your great expertise where should all the loyal Honda teams go and race and what with

[225]

if Honda done a 280 and fixed the mounts that keep braking then perfect, because the honda 225 is a reliable motor just needs a bit more punch.

[dowdy]

How much did you pay to 1,Honda initially,2,H4sa?So you could race in their series.Come on,post on here so i and any other interested party can see,the fees you are paying,to my way of thinking you shouldnt be paying anything to race,i am going to put my head on the block now,if i was running your series i would be giving you CASH BACK for running in any races i promoted,i would be able to give it to you from the vast protits,sorry,profits to be made from marketing your collective product and still something left for me for my hassle,i have said similar many posts ago,you lot are being fleeced,you need an advertising guru with the gift of the gab and the time to do it.Jersey/guernsey next year is a good start,wonder how much the tourism board would cough up?How much did the lord mayor of lowestoft cough up,the tourist board in I.O.M.My mate Andy Musgrave in Phwellie,you lot have a crackin product,form your own committee,do your own deals,share the profits between yourselves,pay for your broken engines and pocket the poke for your investments,instead of lining non boat owning parasites pockets.I am your original boatmadder,me mum said i shouldve been named Noah,i will even give my time and nonce for free,at the end of the season if you are all happy with my input,buy me a john smiths.

[dowdy]

VENUES Paris for one,Ibiza another,ferry from Valencia.Have a decent holiday while your at it.Up close and tight at swansea docks,cross channel dash,its only 44 miles round trip,surely youve got tanks big enough for that,Blackpool,right at the height of the season(and tide)get right in close against the prom,Worlds your oyster Cider lad,am sure your german friends would like one in their own back yard.

[Pearny]

I think if honda joined in with OCR, Class 3 B/C, Ribs and V24 with a multi class start like the other classes do now! It will really help promote power boat racing in general and make racing bigger and better then it already is.
The honda guys could have there own championship alongside the other classes running in the same race. As well as a club championship which will be for all classes including honda

Venues might want to help support the racing events more

Events might get sponsorship

Could make things cheaper for the racers

More exciting to race in for all classes

More exciting to watch for spectators

what are the honda guys thorts??

[dowdy]

Got a video somewhere of the last race i promoted,sponsored and helped to organise,i paid for all the trophies,the marquee,the disco,got Liz Hobbs up as our special guest,plus TWO former Miss GT.Britains,the then current Miss Wirral Globe and a Miss Daily Mail Face OF The Year winner,with all the right bits and bobs hangin out,to give the trophies out,to all those that didnt win a trophy,i gave them an easter egg just so tey had an excuse to come up to the poduim,it wasnt a presentation,more like a stampede. A two day event over easter weekend,i will readily admit it was bloody hard work trying to get advertisers on board and trying to sort it all out on time,i loved every minute of it tho and would happily do it again.

[Scream-it.com]

Originally Posted by Pearny

I think if honda joined in with OCR, Class 3 B/C, Ribs and V24 with a multi class start like the other classes do now! It will really help promote power boat racing in general and make racing bigger and better then it already is.
The honda guys could have there own championship alongside the other classes running in the same race. As well as a club championship which will be for all classes including honda

Venues might want to help support the racing events more

Events might get sponsorship

Could make things cheaper for the racers

More exciting to race in for all classes

More exciting to watch for spectators

what are the honda guys thorts??

Spot on Pearny..the trouble is I am one of the few to stick my head above!

They can blame the credit crunch but like Salcombe we understand the truth and the dire mistake that Steve made in appointing a team.

But then he doesn't really care: he didn't turn up for the AGM or any of the races I understand. Honda? Pathetic mis management by people who live in a corporate world and did not understand their responsibility in terms of governance.

One day the financial truth will raise its ugly head but by then nobody will care and that is what Honda desire as they withdraw. As clean an exit as possible.

To the senior managers of Honda: You owe me and the other teams who have invested good money in promoting your brand. I for one will never forget the way they mismanaged this and I have no issue in making that public. Honda Racing; the values of the organisation eagerly demonstrated in their racing through the ages advert: But and the prominent point there is that they foresaw the demise which is why the 225 drove over the falls...into the abyss and only a balloon to save the driver!