AIRTIME

N J BOYZ first thank you for having the races up north. I want to make one or two races this year. What races are the closes to mass. what will it cost to run the race. I ran the cape race last year in p 5. THANKS ART

Ron P

Sorry Guys, I was away on business.

All the races are contracted except for the MD race, however we have great faith in Inspectech and the rest of the www.cbpba.com to make this race happen. The location hasn't been set because it depends on who the sponsor is. Hopefully Ted will secure the sponsorship soon and we can announce a location.

The A/C race is sponsored by the City itself and the other races took place last year so the four NJ races plus the SBI race are in stone.

Yes, we will have tech inspectors that will be going through the boats looking for safety issues. As for the sandbaggers, between the drive ratio and the prop size it's pretty easy to determine and boats top speed. I think that boat classes will work themselves out fairly easily.

This series is all about fun, affordable, safe and competitive racing. Get on board. Call Smitty for more details at 732 920 3945. He's got the pulse of the rules and inspection issues. As you may remember, he hurt his right hand so he can't type too well but he can talk on the phone.

Ron P

Couple more answers.

The boat ride is the OPA end of year high point awards party, anyone is welcome. The boat will cruise around Manhatten. If you've never seen Manhatten from the water at night, this is your chance.

Art, the Liberty Park race is the farthest north. Three races will leave from Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant. Call Smitty and leave your boat at his place.

The rules are not on NJOffshore.com. Call Smitty for the latest.

In the spirit of the Jersey Boyz racing teams, the OPA would like to invite you to join us for the 2002 year end High Point Award Diner that they have aptly named "Cruisin for a Bruisin". The past two years this party was held at a beachfront nightclub, this year the party has moved to the water, literally. OPA has chartered the Cornucopia Princess www.cornucopiacruise.com and they will be hosting a very entertaining party from 7:15pm to 11:30pm on Saturday February 22nd as the ship cruises along the Hudson and East River while overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Take a look at their web site by clicking on the blue link and you'll see this gorgeous luxury yacht that has three decks and is fully enclosed for your partying pleasure and comfort.

If you have never taken an evening cruise around Manhattan you need to be on this boat. It's a very romantic and patriotic experience as you slowly view Manhattan Island from its best vantage point. No matter if you're a racer, water volunteer or a race fan, you're invited to enjoy this evening of sights and sounds with your favorite competitors.

The schedule for the evening is as follows:

6:57 Smoke flare is lit - 3 minutes to boarding
7:15 The boat leaves the wet pits
7:15 to 8:30 Cocktail Hour
7:15 to 11:00 Open Bar
8:30 to 10:00 Buffet Diner
10:00 to 11:30 Dessert and coffee
11:30 Return to wet pits

The bar will be open while the boat is running and the cost of all drinks, food, entertainment and the boat ride itself is included in the price of $87 per person.

OPA had a great summer of racing in 2002 and now with the formation of the Jersey Boyz and a P class only format, this summer is shaping up be spectacular. Many new teams are building boats or bringing out their old equipment to race again in this new exciting racing format. The OPA has registered boats between Virginia and Massachusetts. So far they have 15 boats committed to run in the P5 class alone! Not all will run every race but can you imagine the competition between 10 or more evenly matched boats all running in the same class?
Overall, we should see the boat counts closer to 40 boats per race with great competition in each class.

It's obvious that the Boyz are doing something right to attract this much attention. What they are doing is going back to grass roots racing and catering to the average boat racers rather than the bigger high budget teams. OPA is all about local racers running for the love of the sport. Like it should be.

So put on your best zoot suit and join OPA and the Jersey Boyz celebrate last summer's winners and this coming summer's future champions. Jackets are required, gold chains and big hair is optional.

The boat leaves from foot of Smith St. in Perth Amboy NJ at 7:15pm sharp. Once in Perth Amboy, take Smith St. to the end and park at the corner of Smith and Front St. Look for the 130' long yacht with the racing stripes and lights on the smoke stacks. There is a map at www.njoffshore.homestead.com/Yachtmap.html that shows the exact location of the dock.

We must ask that you make your register for this race in advance. The cutoff date for registration is 2/10/03. Please print out this form and fax it to OPA if you're paying by credit card or mail it in with your check. No cash please.

See ya at the races,

Ron
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I will be Cruisin for a Bruisin with the Jersey Boyz and OPA


Name _______________________________________

How many in party _____

Race team affiliation __________________________________

NJ Offshore Volunteer Y or N

Paying by Check or Credit Card

Type of credit card __________ Card Number _____________________ Exp date _____

Amount to be charged to credit card $______________

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Use your credit card and fax this form to OPA at 1-732-477-8378
Or Mail this completed form with your check made out to OPA to OPA at 549 Mantoloking Rd Brick, NJ 08723

If you have any questions about this party, please direct them Kurt at 732 477 7400 and Smitty at 732 920 3945.

1HYPER1

Hey Ron P & The Jersey Boys,
I will see you on the cruise,but I have one thing to ask of you as do many others.I always bring my wife and kids to all the events I go to and think it would be better if,especially kids were not looking at a logo with GUNS & BATS because we are always trying to promote this as a family oriented type of atmosphere.I do not want to ruffle anybodys feathers but I think it would be better with out such a rough looking logo.

Ron P

Please don't take offense. It's just a play on the Sopranos.

The logo was only designed for the caravan to New Orleans. Since then It's grown into something larger. I agree it's not much of a corporate image but remember, OPA is the club. The Jersey Boyz are a bunch of racers. It's just a catchy name.

Here's the official OPA logo and the web site is www.offshoreperformanceassociation.com

BILL W

Ron P,
That is a much better looking logo I dont think anybody should have a problem with that.