The start of something great

[Ron P]

Hello Racers,

In this letter you'll hear some disappointing news, some good news and some great news. In the end, I hope you agree that this can only be viewed as a huge forward movement for the sport of Offshore Powerboat Racing.

Let's start with the bad news. Unfortunately I must inform you about the cancelation of three races. Kenner - was not able to secure the needed sponsorship to bring an OSS race to town. I'd like to thank our race producers in Kenner for the monumental effort they put forward, it's a shame it didn't work out. Orange Beach - The race committee actually cancelled this race back in April feeling the economy in Orange Beach couldn't support the event this summer. There was a small group of people trying behind the scene to keep the race alive but they weren't met with enough support to make it happen either. Finally, the October race in Jupiter Florida was recently cancelled due to the economic climate in Florida and the lack of willing sponsors. Once again, thanks to everyone in Orange Beach and Jupiter that spent countless hours attempting to bring the OSS Race Series to their town. The National Championship race in Lake of the Ozarks is definitely on - September 25 - 27.

Everyone involved with this sport, be it a racer or a fan has been asking for unification for a long time and this seemed like a good time to investigate the possibilities. After several discussions with Ed Smith (Smitty) from OPA we've collectively come up with something that is very exciting and should certainly help move this sport in the right direction. Here's what we've come up with. OSS will replace the Kenner race with a race one week later in St Clair MI (Aug 1&2). This will be a joint race with OPA run by the Blue Water Offshore Racing Association. This will be an OPA and OSS points race. We expect to have 60 boats at this race. From there, we'll do another joint race in either Patchogue NY on Aug 22 & 23 or Point Pleasant NJ on Sept 12 - 13 to replace the Orange Beach Race. This will also be an OPA and OSS points race. Then on September 26 & 27 the Lake of the Ozarks will host the 2009 OSS National Championship Race. This will be an OSS points race but not an OPA points race, however, some of the OPA teams will be joining us in LOTO to show their support of our collective race series. (This is not an OPA points race only because OPA has a race one week prior in Cambridge MD and some teams may not be able to do back to back races.) As a final race (Worlds to replace Jupiter FL) OPA has been invited back to Ocean City MD in Oct and they've invited OSS to race there too. Details will be worked out over the next few weeks and we'll keep you informed as to our progress. This race in Ocean City MD will be the final race for OPA and OSS in 2009.

As you can see during 2009, OPA and OSS will keep their respective identities and race together. Once this season is over, it is our intention (with the approval of our teams) to drop the OSS and OPA names and come out with a new unified race series name for 2010 and beyond. For next year, we'll take the best of our collective race sites and make a single fantastic series with more than 50 boats at every event.
Nothing worth doing comes easy and I'm sure that there will be a few bumps along this road to unification but we are determined to move down it for the betterment of Offshore Racing as a whole. We hope you agree and will support our efforts.

Ron Polli - OSS President Ed Smith - OPA President

[Top Banana]

Fantastic news Smitty and Ron. Anything to move the sport closer to unification is a good move. Best of luck.

[BlackJack58]

That is certainly great news. Hats off to both groups for having the will to get something done and finding a way to work together.

[Ratickle]

Wow, good luck to all involved. Tough times right now, good solution.


Some obvious questions when you guys get the chance, the Harrison Race comes to mind right off the bat?


Anyway, as I said, good luck and best wishes to all of you. Race safe....

[catastrophe]

[Sean Stinson]

So I guess nothing fell on deaf ears. Ron, Smitty thanks for the audience you both afforded me and congrats on your unification movement.
See I really don't run around like a chicken with my head cut off!!!

I will see you guys in the near future somewhere on the water!!

Sean

[jayboat]

Good luck with this. I realize the OPA geography doesn't favor Florida, but I hope you guys will schedule a race down here. What's the weather like in Ocean City in October?

[MarylandMark]

Great news!

It may just get me to go a race to support boat racing!

[Pete B]

bought plane tickets to St Clair wednesday!! Should be home July 15th

[Ron P]

See ya there Pete!

[03darkshadow]

Good luck with this. I realize the OPA geography doesn't favor Florida, but I hope you guys will schedule a race down here. What's the weather like in Ocean City in October?

early October, you're fine. i wouldnt wanna be near the water in late october/ november. although there are some days where it does get warm(ish).

[MarylandMark]

Global warming- we'll be boating on Halloween this year!

[SHARKEY-IMAGES]

Christmas in July !!!

Thank you to everyone for making this become a reality...

[jayboat]

Global warming- we'll be boating on Halloween this year!

You Maryland guys have all the fun.

We haveta wait until New Years Day here...

[DKwestern]

Very cool! I should be in St. Clair again this year!!

[TGC-32]

Kudos for a job well done. If everyone pulls together and keeps the faith, and remembers the BIG picture (not their own agenda) you guys just might pull this off! Here's hoping for your success.

Tom Caruso
Total Marine