still crossing my fingers...!!!

Heard there was a meeting with the coast guard this week, how did it go? Let me know if there is something I can look into or do to help.

like to hear about any progress too, thanks

We had a very positive meeting Wed night. A rep. from the Coast Guard, Fall River Harbormaster,Somerset Harbormaster, rep. from the Fall River Police were in attendance. Mike Lund presented a very positive presentation. The meeting lasted 2.5 hrs. The final thoughts by the whole group is that our most precious gift, Narragansett Bay, should be used for events like this. The Coast Guard asked that a precised number of sweep boats and turn boats be identified before the next meeting.
r

Let me now if you need anything Big Daddy!
Hope milo did not just eat who ever just came to the door.

this is positive news. keep us all posted. i can help if needed...not sure what i could help with but im sure the guys up in mass will let me know. thanks.

The Coast Guard asked that a precised number of sweep boats and turn boats be identified before the very next meeting.


Ernie, if my boat qualifies to be a turn boat, sweep boat, pace boat, tow boat or even a photo shoot platform, let me know. Be happy to oblige, count me in. Just tell me what you and the team needs done. thanks
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Once we get conditional approval from the Coast Guard, I am sure Mike will have an organizational meeting. With such an active high performance community, we should be able to provide all boats and personal help we need for the event.
We all know how well planned Mike's Poker Run is and this event should be no different. Thanks in advance for the help.

Any new info available about the race?

We are looking forward to coming up for the race ,but is the snow going to be cleared by then?

Lol!! Hope we have a warm spring there's some huge piles

The entire River was frozen earlier this week, about half the bay as well. First time I can remember seeing that much ice out there.

The Coastguard has given the Fall River Race conditional approval. There will be an organizational meeting, March 30, at the Tipsy Toboggan 75 Ferry St. at 7:00 pm. It is going to be a terrific event. Anyone willing to help is invited. Any questions, call Ernie at 401-261-6225.

Sounds Excellent, Great Work to All of the Organizers. thks

Nice work Ernie and Mike. Can't wait for the event.

The March 30th organizational meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, April 6th, 7:00 PM. at the Tipsy Toboggan.

We will attend the meeting in support
I will offer / open to help with my cc boat to be a conducive component in any manor.

Awesome we can't wait!

Very exciting! We will be at the meeting.

To All PLEASE take note of post #56 if you have specific questions, see post #53

I always thought that place was called the Tipsy Seagull, no seriously is it the same place, I might want to participate.

Dean

Same owners, seagull only open in the summer. I'll be towing a 42' fountain through the area tomorrow morning to make sure teams can get through the marina easy enough.

Take this with a grain of salt, Im just a stupid racer... Posts like this and use of the word "conditional approval" really dont give a racer a fuzzy warm feeling about coming... We understand this is a first time site with first time promoters, however, there are just some things that the racers dont need to know. Now meetings and asking for volunteer boats, stuff like that is totally normal to post(just not the topic of the meetings) On the other stuff I am sure you got the checklist from the organization and as long as you fill that out and abide by it, everything will fall in place smoothly.

I am not attacking anyone and only wish you guys the best of success, just a little friendly advice, as I said take it with a grain of salt

I agree with you, but I also did offer to help, and one concern right now is getting rigs through the city streets and the marina. Better to have it sorted out now than panic later if everything goes through

[QUOTE=F1-00 Racing;4285267]Take this with a grain of salt, Im just a stupid racer... Posts like this and use of the word "conditional approval" really dont give a racer a fuzzy warm feeling about coming... We understand this is a first time site with first time promoters, however, there are just some things that the racers dont need to know. Now meetings and asking for volunteer boats, stuff like that is totally normal to post(just not the topic of the meetings) On the other stuff I am sure you got the checklist from the organization and as long as you fill that out and abide by it, everything will fall in place smoothly.

I am not attacking anyone and only wish you guys the best of success, just a little friendly advice, as I said take it with a grain of salt[/Q

The coastguard will not give final approval until approximatly one month before any event. Last year America's Cup Trials, in Newport, did not get final approval until one month before the event. As far as getting to Borden Light Marina, there are major roads that will get you there. The Tipsy Seagull is on a barge and is only open in warm weather. The Tipsy Toboggan s just off the road, about 400 yards, before the marina.

That's a very real concern. That area and even the marina is a nightmare to navigate, especially for newbies to the area and for those with larger boats. The problem is amplified by people randomly parking there stuff and leaving it. Random road construction in the area only makes things worse.

The poker run has been growing to what's now a big event and Mike has done a good job of making sure everything goes as smooth as it can, and for the most part the congestion hasn't been too much of an issue. With that said, it's important to remember that most of the folks that do the poker run are somewhat from the area. For this event, racers will likely be coming from hundreds and thousands of miles away. The guy pulling a big oversized cat will be in for real surprise when he shows up, that's for sure, lol! Yes, there are some big boats that do the PR, but these guys know the area and the drill to pull it off.

Regardless, I'm really hopeful this race comes to fruition!

This group is passionate about their about their boating and I'm sure will go above and beyond to ensure the event is successful. Racing in the shadow of the USS Massachusetts would be a humbling experience and great annual event.
I wish you luck and success.

Where will the boats be unloading ?
Class 8 tractor with 40-50' boat is not going to have it easy in the marina

It can be done, and notes will be taken as to what to do to make it easier. Honestly I think the cats should go to the state ramp about 1 mile up River but 10 times easier to get to. We're going through a major highway rebuild right through this part of the city. Racers will have to follow travel directions passed around by the organizers to the t. DO NOT FOLLOW GPS WITH ANYTHING BIGGER THAN 24' in tow

I can't speak for all the teams on the circuit, but all the teams I have talked with about this event are pumped! It will be a great turnout. I don't see why any one or race team would have anything but positive things to say about all the hard work the promoters and organizers are putting into this. We're looking forward to spanking Perdition on their home turf :)

Good luck with that. You guys are still fixin all the stuff you broke after we pushed you all season. How much boat do you think you have left? Lol . And yes I concede that we finished behind you most of last year, but that will end young Jedi. Lol

Everyone should come out and watch 441 and 411 kill each other going into turn 1, sounds like a good way to spend an afternoon to me!

Between, us, you, Smitty, Simmons and the 39 red surf board, turn 1 could be interesting.

I'm not worried I have Verne telling me whats going on....one handed of course, can't put his beer down

No intercom still . I just ripped out my comzilla and through it in the trash. Lol

Trying to Walter[ TKO] to come out and play with you guys in his 30 Sutphen.

Hi Ernie, Is the meeting still on for tomorrow?

Please come join Fall River Opa Grand Prix fundraising meeting on schedule Monday April 7pm tipsy toboggan 75 ferry st Fall River mass

Thank you for all of the positive comments above about the opportunity for Fall River to host the only Opa race in New England
We have received support from our state senators, state reps, city council, mayor, Harbormasters from both sides of the bay and FRPD. The USCG has been excellent to deal with and are in support of us pulling off a great safe event. The dates are Aug 14,15 & race day the 16th. Our event will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the battleship Massachusetts. We are working closely with the director brad king so race day tickets will be available to watch from the ship. We are anticipating 3 pit areas and 1 road closure for all the RV's. We will have two boat ramps, one crane area and one travel lift area. The marina has constructed a new south entrance (opposite main entrance) that allows for large vessels to enter with ease from Broadway blvd. our next big hurdle is fundraising. We will be having a meeting April 6th 7pm @ tipsy toboggan Fall River.
Earnie has been instrumental from the start creating this opportunity for Fall River to host the races. Mount hope bay and Fall River offer 2 great things for Opa racers. An excellent wide open bay that will provide fun open water racing whether your in a 24' or 50' and a number of terrific viewing areas for spectators to watch, both of which are instrumental to making our sport grow. With all your help and Earnie pushing, we will get this done and have great event. Thank u
Mike

Hey Mike, Thanks for the call today and the updated/corrected info via e-mail. This is going to be an absolutely fabulous event.