Super Sport racing is live and well on the Ohio River

[Ghost7739]

Rules and specifications can be found in the OPC Rules that can be found here:
http://www.apba.org/resources/opc-ra...ules-2016-2105

V-bottom, flat bottom and modified tunnel hulls can be used if 17' 9" in length and 1600 lbs as raced with driver.
They can be capsulized or roll caged.

Super Sport Motor Standards
1) Legal Super Sport Engine Manufacturers and Models: D.F.I. 150 horsepower, as listed in the current OPC Technical Manual and Specification Book, available online at www.OPCRace.com under Rules and Regulations.
2) All engines are 20” shaft, standard right hand rotation single prop design gearcases. Motors must be production 2-stroke or 4-stroke, meeting USA environmental emission standards applicable in the year the motor is raced.
3) No form of lifting the engine while underway will be allowed.
4) All Super engines must comply with OPC Rule 20, A, B and C. Exceptions are as follows:
a) Rule 23, 2. F. Studs may not be substituted.
b) Rule 23, 2. G. RPM Limiting devices may not be eliminated.
c) Rule 23, 2. C. [spark plugs only] The only legal spark plugs are those part numbers recommended by the engine manufacturer for that model engine.
5) It is permitted on all brands to pin the Prop Shaft Bearing Carrier by using flat head screws.

Since Super Sports are not a national class due to boat numbers, exhaust holes can be drilled in midsection or lower unit to increase engine noise for spectator enjoyment, not for increased HP. In addition, a Bob's low water pickup can be installed.

Currently there are 4 boats here in Ohio with a 5th being preped. 1 in South Carolina, 1 in Florida and 1 in Georgia.
I understand several boats are being organized in Texas.

[Ghost7739]

You are right. The green engines are required.
That, and cost, is the purpose of this class.

[Ghost7739]

Fun I would like to run a tri-hull what really got me started in performance. I thought the only races for tri-hulls was in Texas. If that does come to Fl i'm in.

I have no knowledge of the tri-hull class but know they are running this weekend at the Nationals in Shreveport, La.

[Ghost7739]

Now change the rules to 250 hp

So I can play...

True, we would like to have the larger motors also. However the lower cost is one of the driving factors of this class.
Let's remember that the cost is what killed the Mod VP class.

[racer]

It was not cost that killed MODVP it was the factories.

[CUDA]

It was not cost that killed MODVP it was the factories.

Al just what did happen?
I got out in 85 after I flipped a brand new boat / motor and I heard something about Jealousy with the tunnel classes ?

It's so sad that outboard boat racing is all but dead today, back in the 80's race's were everywhere.

[Ghost7739]

It was not cost that killed MODVP it was the factories.

Yes, I keep hearing that and I suppose that is true. However, no matter what class one is running, if there is a factory race team vs a factory sponsored team, the factory teams will always come up on top. But, the class died because the individual teams could not afford to keep up with the factory changes.

[Ghost7739]

Previously I had reported that the Super Sport class boats would be running with the Tri-Hull boats at the Nationals in Shreveport. Seems that no Tri-Hull boats showed up. Therefore they allowed the only 2 Super Sport boats to run 2 demonstration runs by themselves.

A big thanks to Chip and Jayme for at least putting on a show for the spectators there.

Also a big thanks to Powerboat Nationals for allowing them to even put their boats in the river!
Please go to https://www.facebook.com/PowerboatNationalsTour to see the results.

[racer]

IMO most of the issue was due to Mercury and OMC not being able to agree on what should have been legal for the 93 season. This lead to MODVP being pulled from the IOGP circuit. Everyone thought that when capsules became mandatory the cost would kill the class, yes it lost a few racers but most added them to continue racing. Prior to 86 when full mod engines were allowed it was expensive to run and one reason basic stock engines were incorporated for the 86 season, as new engines came out they were added in but not limiting what was already in use. I was still running an 86 2.7 in 92. Everyone has opinions as to why it died, it's just too bad it happened.

[Ghost7739]

IMO most of the issue was due to Mercury and OMC not being able to agree on what should have been legal for the 93 season. This lead to MODVP being pulled from the IOGP circuit. Everyone thought that when capsules became mandatory the cost would kill the class, yes it lost a few racers but most added them to continue racing. Prior to 86 when full mod engines were allowed it was expensive to run and one reason basic stock engines were incorporated for the 86 season, as new engines came out they were added in but not limiting what was already in use. I was still running an 86 2.7 in 92. Everyone has opinions as to why it died, it's just too bad it happened.

OK. I'll buy that. But if you recall a few years ago, Mercury tried to introduce the OptiMax engines into the SST120/F2 class and stopped making the 120 motors. Yes, parts are still available but whole motors are not. That is the reason the rules have changed this year to allow all 6 cylinders to be re-sleeved.

The OptiMax motors now have their own class. SST200.

Had that not happened, the SST120 class would have gone the same way as Mod VP.

[Scott Tharpe]

Did Jayme run their other 120 boat/

[Ghost7739]

Did Jayme run their other 120 boat/

Unknown. I do know she is running in the F1 Sport class.

[powerabout]

200xs has a class internationally ( Europe) along with the sst120 its called UIM Formula 2
Texas also adds the 3.0 200 OMC to that mix and it works great.
Texas Tri hull is the best class ever and that with v4's