For you Mod-VP fans

**WaterZebra** · 01-20-2023, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Instigator

Most experts say a main reason of the classes demise was its increase in speed.

Look at speeds in the early days (80’s) compared to near the end (one teens!).

That put capsules in the boats which ended the “family ski boat” mantra.

In the final days, the Mod VP boats were too close to the Champ Boats.
In speed and appearance.

Baker343, Al told me he and another X Mod VP racer ran the current Parker race in an open cockpit Mod VP once but never again.
Too fast/dangerous.

I still have my collection of all the old races including these two.

IMO, the early Mod Vp days was the best OB racing, ever.

Yeah the F-1 tunnels were top of the food chain but not as exciting as a flock of Mods heading to the first pin!

Mod VP hulls morphed into pure single purpose race boats. If the hulls had been left on the heavier sturdier side we'd see the change to 4 stroke today. P1 class turned out to be a showcase for selling motors (don't care what brand). There was a point in time where Mod VP could have been a platform for Yamaha and even Honda to run! If the APBA motor tech "committee" had kept their noses out of the specs (self interest protection) we could have seen all kinds of stuff out there racing. With engine product diversity, Mod VP numbers surely would have gone up! We have Mod VP racing today per se...........they're called BASS BOATS?

**JBS** · 01-20-2023, 10:49 AM

Gary, that was a good summation of the mod VP demise and what Zebra mentioned about the increased cost unless you had sponsors.Besides, today no builders have a boat to compete.

**BLisBack!** · 01-20-2023, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

We have Mod VP racing today per se...........they're called BASS BOATS?

Good one..

-BL

**JBS** · 01-20-2023, 11:04 AM

Yep,he definitely nailed it.

**LaveyT** · 01-20-2023, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by JBS

Guys, remember a few years back when they tried to introduce a similar class with production boats running stock green 150s? Didn't last long.I guess not enough interest? Speeds topped out around 80mph.Not that exciting.

At least 3 years ago they were still running. I saw them in Rising Sun Indiana. And at that race the Stoker won. If they have run it since I missed it.

**DanUmbarger** · 01-20-2023, 03:30 PM

It's been a blast watching all these racing video's...sure wish I was smart enough to have someone take movies(prolly 8 and super 8) of my racing in the late 60's early 70's. Sure would be fun to watch the real old days...LOL...I do have a few still pics to look at but not the same as videos.

**BLisBack!** · 01-20-2023, 03:39 PM

More links, Champ and SST-140 from '87, serious racing no doubt. You can still make out the speed despite the low res video.

https://youtu.be/5wGdnaaasok
https://youtu.be/2NNXw3GOzD0
https://youtu.be/Igtua5t2lv4
https://youtu.be/ixEgJGy5O6w

Uploading the '89 Champ Grand Prix now

-BL

**Instigator** · 01-21-2023, 09:08 AM

Agreed.

I learned long ago to watch the bass guys for OB Perf because it was no where else.

Subscribed to Bass and Walleye mag for yrs, just for that reason.

As to motor diversity, I said for yrs if you wrote the tech rules (weight) so everything was competitive, you’d have Nascar on water!

The F-150 class is close but is for true race boats, no family/ski boats.

Anyone remember the OPC vee bottom class w/the riding mechanic?
Coolest class ever!

I had a buddy that raced a Yammi powered Mirage for Louis Collins.

I used to host a hot rod OB event and for the drag races, I paired the boats!
And I had blast doing it!

Intentionally put vee against tunnel and OMC against Merc!
What a hoot!

And some of the Yammi boys came to do battle too.

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

Mod VP hulls morphed into pure single purpose race boats. If the hulls had been left on the heavier sturdier side we'd see the change to 4 stroke today. P1 class turned out to be a showcase for selling motors (don't care what brand). There was a point in time where Mod VP could have been a platform for Yamaha and even Honda to run! If the APBA motor tech "committee" had kept their noses out of the specs (self interest protection) we could have seen all kinds of stuff out there racing. With engine product diversity, Mod VP numbers surely would have gone up! We have Mod VP racing today per se...........they're called BASS BOATS?

**BLisBack!** · 01-21-2023, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Instigator

I used to host a hot rod OB event and for the drag races, I paired the boats!
And I had blast doing it!

Intentionally put vee against tunnel and OMC against Merc!
What a hoot!

And some of the Yammi boys came to do battle too.

Those were the days

, you should do that again. I still remember the looks on those kids faces (one was a Make a Wish event) Awesome.

-BL