| EAST AND WEST BOAT NUMBERS
We now know how a referee feels when he is confronted with several protests at a race! We stirred up quite a few recently concerning the practice of assigning "east" and "west" inboard boat numbers. For several years National Headquarters has issued numbers for the inboard classes based on whether the owner resided in the "east" or the "west". If the owner lived in the "east", the class letter would be on the left of the assigned boat number. If he lived in the "west", the same number could be assigned to a different owner but the class letter would be on the right. There is no General Racing Rule or Inboard Racing Rule to support this procedure and it violates paragraphs 3 and 4 of General Racing Rule 31 prohibiting the use of duplicate numbers on more than one boat. As a result there are some 80 inboard boats around the country bearing the same number. The fact that the class letter was supposed to be put on the right or left to distinguish "east" or "west" meant nothing as many owners painted the class letter on the left as the natural place for it. Several times last season when officials and especially newspaper men contacted National Headquarters to check certain inboard boats, there was confusion as to who owned the boat based solely on the number. For instance, a recent photo taken on the West Coast shows a 266 with the letter "F" before the number. Our records showed the number belonging to an East Coast owner who did not participate in the race photographed. Owners who have noticed their number on another boat have complained to National Headquarters and criticized us for following a practice not in the Rule Book. In the office two separate sets of files are maintained for each inboard class to accommodate this "east" and "west" system, the "east" including all of the country except Regions 10, 11 and 12! This confusing, cumbersome and expensive system was discussed at the Council Meeting in Reno last November and in New York in January. The Council authorized Association officers to take steps to correct and simplify boat numbering procedurrs. It was therefore decided to stop giving out double numbers under the "east" and "west" system. Unfortunately in preparing the letter of December 29 to the membership concerning dues and boat registration, this particular inboard problem was overlooked when it was stated that "if your application is received by February 1st, you may have the same number you had in 1961". In order to conform with our statement in the letter and with the provisions of the 1961 Rule Book, we honored all applications received on or before February 1 by assigning again the same "east" and "west" numbers as the owners had last year. However, any registrations received after February 1 must be assigned new numbers if the previous year's number is not available. Beginning with the racing season for 1963, however, the present "east-west" system of duplicate numbers will be abolished. It is not in accordance with the Rule Book, expensive to administer and confusing to owners, officials and the public. Some system will have to be worked out to decide who will retain the single number. We are, of course, very sorry that this matter caused or may cause any member inconvenience. Our only purpose is to improve our sport and keep it simple. Our rules and procedures have become so complicated over the years that many owners, officials, drivers and certainly the public do not know what it's all about and has definitely kept our exciting sport from growing as fast as it should. The system for registering Outboards and Stock Outboards is even more complicated. During the year a study will be made and recommendations submitted for an improved and simplified boat numbering system for all categories. In the meantime we shall follow the Rule Book to the best of our ability.
SAFETY
SWAP SHOP FOR SALE - 280 Hydro Chuck-Wagon III 99-E. One of the fastest in the Mid-West, beats the Eastern Boys too. Complete rig with spare Chevy and Buick engines, props, shafts, and many spare parts. Hull of my own design and build. First $2500.00 takes it all, will not sell separately. I am quitting racing. Chuck Thompson, Jr. Detroit, Mich, etc. FOR SALE - Mike Thomas' 280 Apache. Farmer hull one year old. Walt Stevenson engine. Boat raced 30 races last year and does not leak. No. 3 nationally in points 1961. Clocked over 101 mph at Norristown and Ft. Lauderdale. Driver retiring to safer class. Mike Thomas, Harvey Cedars, NJ, etc. FOR SALE - 135 Cu. In. Hydro Snoopy. 1958 Hallett Hull. Keith Black engine, in good condition. 1960 Western Divisional Champion. Ed Lane, Palo Alto, Calif., etc.
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| © 1962 American Power Boat Association |
