I hope you left by now.......:rolleyes:

My truck has been warming up since 5:00am! :) :) :)

Let's Roll!!!!!! ;)

Well guys....how'd the meeting go?

Driving was a bit iffy in the morning, but they've made it.
Outside Joey's shop, 8:55 am:

Inside Joey's shop, 9:05am:

A surprisingly large crowd showed up, and those who did won't get second thoughts in the Point Pleasant inlet.

Dennis and Sharkey gave a very professional presentation. I will not pre-empt their minutes, but the meeting went very well.

Well, I must say Mapquest was finally right for once. The directions were perfect. The time that Mapquest said it should have taken 2 hours & 6 minutes to get there from Brick, NJ. We made it in 2 hours even! Not even pushing it... :cool:

Despite the weather, we had a great number of determined racers, promoters and boat manufacturers show up for this meeting.

We had a Vote for some rules by all, to set up a proposal for the meeting next Saturday.

I am tallying the votes as I write this, plus I have a few more people that need to vote electronically.

The meeting was very productive!

I would like to thank all that came out today as well as Joey Imprescia for opening his shop to us and providing the continental breakfast! ;)

Votes on Rules Proposal
 

Hey guys!

Here is the final tally on the proposal of rules for the SOB's.
This is only to give the OPA and idea where these guys would like to see this class go.
It is only a "Proposal" and of course leaves room for discussion and compromise.
See you all at the meeting tomorrow!


Proposed Rules For SOB Class

Voted on by potential racers looking to race this class if it becomes a reality.




Hulls:

-------------------------------------Yes - No - No/Answer

Any conventional vee bottom stepped or padded allowed
Yes 23 No 0-0

Minimum length: 20 ft 7 inches Yes 21 No 1-1

Maximum length: 24 ft 0 inches Yes 18 No 3-2

“Vee-Hull Designs Only” No Wing Styled Boats, Tunnel-Vees or Catamarans Yes 21 No 1-1

No Minimum Weight Yes 12 No 6-5

Minimum weight w/driver up to 200hp = 2000#, 2.4 - 2.5 ltr 2300#, 300hp or more=2600# Yes 8 No 9-6

Agreed weights: up to 200hp = 2.4 - 2.5 ltr 300hp or more=

All boats to have a fixed X-Dimension Yes 6 No 17-0

All boats to have the same engine height (Measured from the center of the prop shaft &bottom of the boat) Yes 4 No 18-1

Hydraulic Jacks Plates allowed Yes14 No 7-2

Set-back brackets allowed Yes 23 No 0-0

Crew onboard: Second Occupant Optional (Providing sanctioned rules approve it) Yes 20 No 2-1
No letters, Number only to minimum height set by Sanctioning Body’s Rules Yes 18 No 1-4

Display letters A & B for location of occupants in boat (on deck & bottom) Yes 17 No 4-2

Ballast Tanks to be allowed Yes 9 No 12-2

Remote water pickups allowed Yes 12 No10-1

If Minimum weight becomes a rule, Racer’s will supply a lifting harness for their boat Yes 16 No 5-2

Maximum Speed capped @ 90 mph Yes 10 No 12-1

No Capped Speed or Bracket racing for this class Yes 13 No 8-8

Allow Single Inboards to race in this class Yes 2 No 21-0







Engines:

Any Single Outboard Engine by any Manufacturer Yes 23 No 0-0

Any octane pump gasoline only (No alcohol, nitros, etc.) Yes 17 No 6- 0

Any type fuel including Alcohol Yes 8 No 15 -0





Races:

Maximum 1 hour time limit Yes 16 No 3-4

Total Distance 60 miles Yes 11 No 6-6

Total Distance 50 miles Yes 7 No 4-12

Total Distance 40 miles Yes 4 No 5-14

Total Distance 30 miles Yes 5 No 6 12

Race without any other classes Yes 14 No 4-5

Race with the other classes at the same time Yes 7 No 11-5

Courses to be determined by sanctioning body

Depending on the number of entries, it is 1st choice to run this class by itself.

Safety:

Follow All Safety Rules and Equipment requirements of the sanctioning body.

After speaking with Kurt & Smitty on Friday night, they are both optimistic that things can be worked out to get the SOB's out there racing.

Their largest concern seem to be the safety as well as the top-end speed of these boats.

After our discussions, I feel that the SOB's will have a place in this organization.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again at Saturday's meeting.

Please try to arrive early. We only have the place till 3PM.

Thanks again for everyone's support!

It was just over a year ago that we had these great supporters of the SOB's.
With this year's enthusiasm from all sides, this year, it just may become a reality... :cool:

Everything went great at the meeting Saturday!
The OPA will take back our thoughts about the SOB's and go over each point that was discussed. They said they will have a final decision in the next couple of weeks. Everyone is very optimistic that this could work. Throughout the entire meeting, I did not hear anyone say anything about keeping the organization to only 5 classes. I feel that is a positive sign.
The SOB's will be waiting their reply.....
Thanks to all that turned out for the support of the SOB's, including those of you that are already racing P1-P5. You made it clear by telling OPA you want them to do whatever it takes to add boats to the organization.
Thank you!:cool:

Perhaps Santa can bring this to someone for Christmas?

:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

21 ft CIGARETTE w/300 HP Evinrude V8 $15k Listed in January's Hot Boat Mag!

Sure would make a nice race boat!:cool:

Racing is coming soon......

Another one committed:

Danny of Professional Marine Racing has decided to rig his Sutphen for the SOB Class.

Generation 3

And for those of you that remember the F-Class boat Clue-less "21 Shadow w/2.5 EFI Merc OS" out of Proroc Marine Performance Center has also shown commitment as well! :cool:

With authorization from OSO, I am posting a link for more information and posts from ScreamandFly.com SOB's

As of now, 512 posts on the one thread, and many others in additional threads.

The site is dedicated to Outboards. Like OSO "The King of Offshore", ScreamandFly" is the "King of Outboards"...

Well it is as NEW YEAR and time for "FULL SPEED AHEAD" with SOB. Hoping we will have a meeting very soon with OPA to find out there thoughts for the class.

DPT Motorsports
:cool: :cool: :cool:

..another Velocity
 

:cool:

SOB UPDATE
 

To all potential SOB's,

A final meeting between SharkeyMarine,Myself and Board Members of OPA will be happening very very soon. Sorry for such a delay on this but now it is full speed ahead. We will keep you all informed with what happens in this meeting. I am awaiting a response today from OPA for the meeting. Things are looking very good for the SOB's in 2004

DPT
:cool: :cool: :cool:

Bodyshot
 

That Velocity has my kind of attitude! ;) :cool: :cool: :cool:

SOB Racing is Official w/OPA
 

DPT Motorsports and myself met with OPA officials yesterday to hear what they were willing to do for the SOBs.

It's official!!! :cool:

They are willing to let the SOBs race within their organization.

Here is what they have come up with:

As far as the rules for SOB, they were in agreement with the SOB Rules Proposal were had offered them.
There were only 4 things that needed to be changed from those rules.
1. Minimum length will be 21 feet with a Max of 24 feet. They will use the round up method if a boat measures 20 foot 6.5 inches, it will be rounded to 21 feet.
2. Mandatory: 2 Crew Onboard. It will be mandatory for 2 people to be in the boat while racing. There will not be an option for only one person.
This was OPA's as well as the insurance carrier's decision. I personally asked two of the medic's opinions, and they too also wanted to see two people in the boat.

3. No Capped Speed or Bracket Racing for this class(3 races only) It has been decided to allow this for the calm water race sites only.
3 of the sites that are ocean races will fall under the P-5 max average speed of 65 mph. Again, the Insurance Liability as well as Safety was a big decision maker here. We all know no one would even come close to 65mph in rough ocean conditions, but this is just making sure of no one trying to. The 3 races with this cap will be enforced with GPS supplied by OPA.

4. Race distance 40 miles The total distance will be 40 miles not 60 or a 1 hour time limit. Also subject to change at the discretion of OPA at each race site depending on sea conditions.

So in a a nut shell, here is what you have.

SOB's are welcome to come race in all 6 races.

The rough water races, the SOB's will not have their own race. They are invited to race under P-5 and have the option to be scored separately as well as be scored in P-5 to race for the purse of that event. ( The reasoning behind this is, if the course is rough and they try to run two races, they are afraid of losing too many volunteers by the time the second race comes out. To sit out in the ocean for an entire day while it's rough can be a burden to most volunteers. If over time they have more volunteers for the water operations where they may have separate shifts for the volunteers, that may change in the future. As of right now, they will only offer the one race at the rough water races.)


The other 3 events which are calm water races, the SOBs will have their own individual class. Although no prize money will be awarded unless the site itself offers a separate purse for the class. Example: Cambridge, MD offers their Local Class a separate purse.

OPA will be picking up the additional costs to run the SOBs in their own class. (Helicopter and Insurance Premiums) The means of paying for it will come from the $500 per race entry fee. It will not interfere with the existing P-1 thru P-5 class's purse or add any additional costs onto the other classes.

If for any reason that the SOB's race were to be cancelled by OPA or the Coast Guard deeming the course to be too rough for 21 footers, the registration money for that race will be forwarded to the next race's registration. You will not loose your registration money if the race is blown out.

OPA's Equipment Requirements Please contact OPA for their rule book. Offshore Performance Association's Link

Additional Prizes Other than actual cash prizes, contingency prizes may be awarded on a per class basis. It will not have to be shared with any of the other classes.
If for example Mercury or a SOB manufacture wanted to step in and offer 1st place of SOB X amount of dollars in "Parts or Merchandise" they can do that. It is advised that they contact OPA for this type of an incentive because they are already setting up different types of contigency prizes for each class. Last year, one person ended up with $1500 in parts from JESEL. Not bad for only running someone's decal on their boat.
:cool:
Also a Hi-Points Trophy for total points accumulated over the season will be awarded at the end of the season.

Stay Informed!!! Get on the mailing list by using this link:NJ Offshore & OPA Informational Mailing List

I hope this will satisfy most of you, and you will come out and race.
If the response and participation is great this year, you have a great opportunity to grow and make some changes along the way.

Good Luck to all of you!

It is now up to you to make the next move. Start by getting registered for the season.

Annual Equipment fee $450.00

Annual Membership fee $100.00

Annual GPS fee $ To be determined (No more than $150) We asked for a reduced rate being as the SOB's would only need it for 3 races when they race in P-5

Entry fee per race $500.00 Includes Insurance, Helicopters, Race Parties but not a purse unless you race in P5.

SOB Rules
 

If you are not on the mailing list, then you missed this:

This just went out to the njoffshore.com mailing list.
======================================

Hello Race Fans,

Even though the weather is below the freezing mark the Jersey Boyz are already getting things heated up for the 2004 racing season. There are some new race sites for this year and most of your old favorites are back again too. OPA has even expanded it's rule book by adopted rules for a new entry-level class of racing and the OPA winter awards party looks like it will be a not to be missed showstopper.

If you plan on attending the Atlantic City boat show between the 4th and 8th of February make sure you stop by the OPA/Bad Boy Powerboats booth and say hello to some of the boyz. They'll be displaying race boat photos along with raffling off a ride in a one of the boats. Team T Shirts will be available for sale and of course they'll be promoting the race in Atlantic City scheduled for Sunday July 18th as well as all the entire OPA race series.

OPA would like to invite all SOBs to come race with them this summer. SOB Racing is a new class of entry-level boats. SOB stands for Single Outboard Boats. The rules are very simple for this class. Any Vee bottom boat from 21' to 24' that has a single outboard engine can race. This new class was made at the request of a few racers that wanted to bring back a true entry-level class. At the three non-ocean races, the SOBs will run their own 40-mile race prior to the normal OPA race featuring the five P Classes. In the other three ocean races, the SOBs will need to run in one of the P classes if its not too rough for them to race in the ocean. This new class should open up offshore racing to a much broader audience of racers and OPA along with the Jersey Boyz would like to welcome this new class and look forward to racing with them in the 2004 season and beyond. Call OPA at 732-477-7400 to sign up to be an SOB.

OPA 2004 Schedule:

Brick, NJ - June 26,27
Atlantic City, NJ - July 17,18
Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ - Aug. 12,13
L.I. / Conn. Area - Aug. 28,29
Cambridge, MD - Sept. 25,26
Camden NJ River Area - Oct. 9,10

Mark your calendar for OPA's winter awards party. This year the party will be held on Saturday February 21st at 7pm in the Cabaret Theater, at Trumps Marina, Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Pricing is still being worked out and you'll be getting additional information about the awards party in a week or two. Seating is limited so take a look at your calendar and see if you can join the fun. Even our friends from the cornfields of Maryland are invited to attend.

See ya at the races,

Ron

SOB Contender?
 

Ran across this boat builder yesterday visting Merc dealers.

http://rallypowerboats.com/

Oh yes!!!:)

It meets the criteria........:cool:

Breaking News!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OPA has added another race to it's schedule - We are going to Key West!

2004 Schedule:
Brick,NJ - June 26,27
Atlantic City,NJ - July 17,18
Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ - Aug. 12,13
L.I. / CONN. Area - Aug. 28,29
Cambridge, MD - Sept. 25,26
Delaware River Area - Oct. 9,10
Key West, Florida - Nov. 7 - 14 with SBI for the World Championships[/b]

Here is a quote from RonP, Director of Water Operations for OPA when I asked if the SOB's would be allowed to run in Key West:

Smitty spoke to John about SOBs and he's looking favorably toward them. The key is to fill hotel rooms for the town and to have some great racing.

How many SOBs do you think would go all the way to Key West to race?

I have a feeling if you brought 15 boats, you'd get your own race. 5 boats and you'd end up running in P5.

That's a good start in the right direction.


Smitty "Wazzup Racing" President of OPA response:

John did say he'll look at it. A race in the harbor would not work because of schedule conflicts with the cruise ships. He made mention of another area in the city where you would have a flat water closed coarse. Produce the boats, we'll make it happen Smitty.

OK YOU SOBs!!! Choose you destiny!!! This is big news!!! More than I or Dennis could have ever hoped for!

Make us proud!

If you have never experienced a race week in Key West well...
Then you have just never experienced....;) ;)

:cool: :cool: :cool:

S.O.B. Webpage has been added!
 

S.O.B.Class Update Link

I threw an UPDATE page together for the S.O.B. Class to help with keeping everyone informed.

Rather than clogging too much of OSO with the same topic, I felt this may be in the best interest of the board.

We will still post here, but we will try to keep it to just a few threads.

My thanks again goes out to OSO for helping us get this class off the ground...:cool:

1st SOB Race in Marathon, Fl
 

Marathon, Florida May 14th.....APBA race welcomes the SOB class. This is a great place to race this class do to it's water conditions. Need more info visit :http://www.apba-offshore.com/ or use the links listed below:

Anyone that needs equipment, see the SOB Classifieds as well...

Thanks for your support....:)

Tim, I'll make ya a deal. I'll be in Marathon covering the race for EB magazine. If you can get some SOB's there to race, I'll make sure they get some good coverage to publicize the new class.

That's great Ron!:cool:

I will do the best I can at getting the word out...;)

Go, SOBs

Need Racer INFO!!!
 

I received a correspondence from Michelle May - Schmidt
Director of Communications
APBA Offshore Racing Association, Inc.

She is looking for a competitor line up and pictures of teams for the S.O.B. class.

I am looking for raceboat photos of an SOB to send her to use in the Race Program for the upcoming race in Marathon.

Any help would be appreciated.

You can email me through the SOB page on my website.

Thank you all for the support!

Sharkey,
Cool logo....you & DPT did a great job with this class....its exactly what offshore powerboat racing needed.I hope everyone is patient enough to give this class a chance to grow and evolve into all it can be.Your enthusiasm and positive attitude for our sport is refreshing!

Thanks!

Now I just hope I don't end up getting divorced over it...:D :D :D

I need to spend some time with the family once in awhile.

I hope this takes off like wild fire...and maybe then, the class will promote itself...;)