OSS Biloxi in the News
01-28-2007, 09:57 AM
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OSS Biloxi in the News
Smokin The Sound Returns To Biloxi In March
Jan 24, 2007 05:44 PM EST
Power boat racing returns to the shores of Biloxi in two months. The Off Shore Super Series will open its 2007 season the weekend of March 23rd.
To help Smokin the Sound offset some of its costs, the Biloxi City Council just agreed to donate $20,000 to local organizers.
The last time power boats raced across the Biloxi channel was just a couple of months before the hurricane. Race organizers made sure Biloxi was on their 2007 calendar.
"Biloxi, Mississippi was the very first race for the Off Shore Super Series Power Boat Racing Association. That's why, after Katrina, they moved the headquarters down here to Biloxi, and are excited to bring the race back here," said Misty Velasquez with the Off Shore Super Series
Velasquez once worked for the Harrison County Tourism Commission. She said she took the job as head of the Off Shore Super Series to make sure the boat races returned to Biloxi.
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=5985348&nav=6DJI
Jan 24, 2007 05:44 PM EST
Power boat racing returns to the shores of Biloxi in two months. The Off Shore Super Series will open its 2007 season the weekend of March 23rd.
To help Smokin the Sound offset some of its costs, the Biloxi City Council just agreed to donate $20,000 to local organizers.
The last time power boats raced across the Biloxi channel was just a couple of months before the hurricane. Race organizers made sure Biloxi was on their 2007 calendar.
"Biloxi, Mississippi was the very first race for the Off Shore Super Series Power Boat Racing Association. That's why, after Katrina, they moved the headquarters down here to Biloxi, and are excited to bring the race back here," said Misty Velasquez with the Off Shore Super Series
Velasquez once worked for the Harrison County Tourism Commission. She said she took the job as head of the Off Shore Super Series to make sure the boat races returned to Biloxi.
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=5985348&nav=6DJI
02-04-2007, 07:45 AM
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Re: OSS Biloxi in the News
Posted on Sun, Feb. 04,
Sound will be smokin'
Boat races return to Coast after two-year hiatus
By AL JONES
[email protected]
BILOXI - The improbable is getting ready to unfold for South Mississippi racing fans.
The official countdown to the return of the Smokin' The Sound boat races has begun.
The event, postponed last year due to debris following Hurricane Katrina nearly 17 months ago as well as no infrastructure in the Biloxi Channel, is set to run March 24-25.
Viewing might be different this year, as the Grand Casino is now on the south side of U.S. 90 and the Casino Magic no longer exists, but race spokesman Rusty David said all things are on track.
The Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association will use the same racecourse along the inside of Deer Island and in front of the Beau Rivage, Hard Rock and Isle of Capri casinos.
The Biloxi race kicks off an eight-race schedule that concludes with the World Championships in Destin, Fla. Ironically, future World Championships are in the plans for Biloxi.
"They (OSS) have been wanting to come back," David said. "They wanted to race last year but we did not have the infrastructure to do so.
"We want to let people know the Mississippi Gulf Coast is alive and well.
"Just like the (Harrison County) tourism commercials say, 'Come on Back.'
"We are one of eight cities in the country that has the opportunity to put a race on. Hosting the World Championships are down the road. Once we get the casinos back and tourism going strong, we will have the opportunity to bring the World Championships to Biloxi."
In terms of this race, viewing stations will be located on the top of the parking garages at the Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, Isle of Capri and the Seafood Museum Pier. All areas will be gated and fans must purchase a $10 armband to view the two days of races.
The first day, March 24, will be a practice round in which all boats will be on the course starting at 9 a.m. It ends at 3 p.m.
The final day, March 25, will be the actual race of all five divisions: Vee Lite, Super Vee, Cat Lite, Super Cats and Extreme.
"We are looking to have 42 to 45 boats," David said. "For the first time, we'll have the Extreme class, which is unlimited where boats run 150 mph and up.
"Some of the Super Cats will run in the Extreme class. We have boats coming from California to Michigan. Since this will be the first race of the season, boats will be in top shape and ready to set the tone for the year."
To help ensure a safe race, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in Biloxi did a side-scan sonar of the racecourse to locate leftover debris. After the sonar showed no debris, the race was granted a permit from the Coast Guard.
"The sonar showed things are OK," David said. "We got the OK and got the permit. We were nervous (about debris) but the DMR scanned the whole course and it looks good."
The downside of all the excitement deals directly with finances surrounding the race itself. With sponsorships running slow, Smokin' The Sound is still seeking financial help.
Sponsorship packages start at $150, which includes a boat flag and a reserved spot along the racecourse.
Additional money will be raised from armband and T-shirt sales.
"We are still raising money and we're short of funds right now," David said. "Anyone who would like to be a sponsor still has time to get involved. Our packages start at $150 and run to $2,500. Armband and T-shirts sales are a big part of it.
"It's going to be fun. We want to let people know we have a lot of positive things happening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The heartbeat is there. We need to let people know we have more things going on other than gaming."
Woody Bailey, a race official, said $50,000 needs to be raised through community support.
"We are going to do the race and raise the funds to make sure it happens," Bailey said. "A lot of this has to do with Katrina, which has made it tougher than in the past for sponsorships. It is very important that we get this event back on track.
"We are committed to making it happen. The teams are also excited about coming back to Biloxi and helping our economy. We will be ready to race when March 25 comes."
Sound will be smokin'
Boat races return to Coast after two-year hiatus
By AL JONES
[email protected]
BILOXI - The improbable is getting ready to unfold for South Mississippi racing fans.
The official countdown to the return of the Smokin' The Sound boat races has begun.
The event, postponed last year due to debris following Hurricane Katrina nearly 17 months ago as well as no infrastructure in the Biloxi Channel, is set to run March 24-25.
Viewing might be different this year, as the Grand Casino is now on the south side of U.S. 90 and the Casino Magic no longer exists, but race spokesman Rusty David said all things are on track.
The Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association will use the same racecourse along the inside of Deer Island and in front of the Beau Rivage, Hard Rock and Isle of Capri casinos.
The Biloxi race kicks off an eight-race schedule that concludes with the World Championships in Destin, Fla. Ironically, future World Championships are in the plans for Biloxi.
"They (OSS) have been wanting to come back," David said. "They wanted to race last year but we did not have the infrastructure to do so.
"We want to let people know the Mississippi Gulf Coast is alive and well.
"Just like the (Harrison County) tourism commercials say, 'Come on Back.'
"We are one of eight cities in the country that has the opportunity to put a race on. Hosting the World Championships are down the road. Once we get the casinos back and tourism going strong, we will have the opportunity to bring the World Championships to Biloxi."
In terms of this race, viewing stations will be located on the top of the parking garages at the Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, Isle of Capri and the Seafood Museum Pier. All areas will be gated and fans must purchase a $10 armband to view the two days of races.
The first day, March 24, will be a practice round in which all boats will be on the course starting at 9 a.m. It ends at 3 p.m.
The final day, March 25, will be the actual race of all five divisions: Vee Lite, Super Vee, Cat Lite, Super Cats and Extreme.
"We are looking to have 42 to 45 boats," David said. "For the first time, we'll have the Extreme class, which is unlimited where boats run 150 mph and up.
"Some of the Super Cats will run in the Extreme class. We have boats coming from California to Michigan. Since this will be the first race of the season, boats will be in top shape and ready to set the tone for the year."
To help ensure a safe race, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in Biloxi did a side-scan sonar of the racecourse to locate leftover debris. After the sonar showed no debris, the race was granted a permit from the Coast Guard.
"The sonar showed things are OK," David said. "We got the OK and got the permit. We were nervous (about debris) but the DMR scanned the whole course and it looks good."
The downside of all the excitement deals directly with finances surrounding the race itself. With sponsorships running slow, Smokin' The Sound is still seeking financial help.
Sponsorship packages start at $150, which includes a boat flag and a reserved spot along the racecourse.
Additional money will be raised from armband and T-shirt sales.
"We are still raising money and we're short of funds right now," David said. "Anyone who would like to be a sponsor still has time to get involved. Our packages start at $150 and run to $2,500. Armband and T-shirts sales are a big part of it.
"It's going to be fun. We want to let people know we have a lot of positive things happening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The heartbeat is there. We need to let people know we have more things going on other than gaming."
Woody Bailey, a race official, said $50,000 needs to be raised through community support.
"We are going to do the race and raise the funds to make sure it happens," Bailey said. "A lot of this has to do with Katrina, which has made it tougher than in the past for sponsorships. It is very important that we get this event back on track.
"We are committed to making it happen. The teams are also excited about coming back to Biloxi and helping our economy. We will be ready to race when March 25 comes."
