George Auriemma, the driver of the Super Vee Light (SVL) IMCO race boat and the key spokesman for the 12-boat SVL class, said that rules regarding hull modifications likely will be “relaxed” this season. The potential rule changes have been spurred by a new entry into the class this season, a 30-foot Fountain called Watch Your Back that's owned by Michael “Doc” Janssen.

Reportedly capable of reaching 96 mph—significantly faster than the other boats in the SVL class (all powered by a Mercury Racing HP525EFI engine)—the new Fountain became a flashpoint for controversy from the moment it entered the field. A number of SVL racers expressed concern that the two-step 30-footer would run away with what has been a closely competitive class. That the Fountain finished first, third and first in the first three races of the season did nothing to dispel that notion. (Click here for the Super Vee Lights Deliver Tight Action at OSS Season Opener story.)

“The general sense among the SVL racers is that we have 10-year-old boats competing with newer technology,” Auriemma said. “What we have to do is relax some of the rules on hull modifications for the older technology to maintain parity in the class.”

Auriemma said he prefers modifying rules on hull modifications for the rest of the class rather than adding weight to the Fountain. He also ruled out any changes to the power specifications for the class.

“We’re going to have to go back and work on the bottoms of our boats,” he said. “We’re going to have to do our homework and step up our game. But we need to maintain parity. We have 12 existing boats, and one new boat. We’ll have to do something like that.”

Janssen holds a different view. Since he first joined the class, he said various members of the group have opposed the Fountain’s participation.

“I don’t think we should jump the gun after three races and change the rules,” said Janssen, who also races the Saratoga Stampede Fountain in the Super Vee Extreme class. “I think we should wait and see how the season comes out. We built the boat to the rules as outlined, and it has been checked and accepted by OSS, OPA and SBI.

“The SVL group has formed itself as a class with its own series,” he continued. “But the rules are the rules, and they are set forth by three entities, and those entities don’t change their rules in midseason. The class itself is not a racing entity that can make its own rules. They (members of the SVL class) scrutinized us—they didn’t want our boat to get into the class. We met all the rules, and as soon as we show up they say ‘Change the rules.’ They didn’t want us to us race in the first place.”

Auriemma disagreed. “He (Janssen) wants to maintain the rules for the rest of the year,” Auriemma said. “However, we do have the right as a class to address any rule that we think we need to address to maintain parity in the class, and it can be imposed at any given time.

“We gave it (Watch Your Back) the chance to flex its muscles, and now it looks like we’re going to have to do it,” he added.

For more, check out the Powerboat P1 USA/Super Vee Light season preview.