One thing is for sure; history repeats itself in offshore powerboat racing.Every time this sport comes close to getting to the next level, it self destructs....APBA...HFC Pro Series...OPT...SBI.. USO... PROPS...APBA LLC....now OSS...where does it end?

Mike A.,Steve M. and rest of the APBA LLC, like them or not, successfully legitimized a "rich mans club sport" through:

1.COMPETITION BASED RULES=better racing for the racers and the fans
2.STADIUM STYLE RACE COURES="live" spectator appeal for the fans and deck to deck racing for the racers
3.IMPROVED TELEVISION=increased fan base, and sponsor opportunities for the race teams, the series and individual venues.
4.SERIES SPONSORS=GM lease program...a monumental accomplishment in so many ways...other series sponsors increasing involvement as well.

The sport was in better shape than ever earlier this year.....what happened?Were there major problems; yes, but they could of and should of been worked out.
The point is, will anyone else be able to do it better, and how can the sport SURVIVE with so many orginizations COMPETING for a limited number of race teams?History has proven that this has, and will set the sport back....maybe forever!Somehow,someway everyone needs to get together and work this all out.
There is so much at stake...so JUST DO IT!

Mark / Waterboy,I totally agree with you.

RACING!! how many time did you see the super boat racing close at the end of a race? how many times did you see p5 or p4 racing deck to deck at the end? almost every time. the best race i was in theirs year was Ft Lau. Todd and us ran back and forth the whole race we beat him by about 100 feet. how much TV time? i think 15 sec and they want 5k. before that i will have to see some benefits we already get no money and very little TV so what is to gain?

SBI pays out for P-class and so does OPA. so cmon up to play. TV time isnt great either.

OPA had 2 races this year that paid 3,000 for 1st place in all classes. and it may be more this year. Last time i looked at a map, Virginia isnt too far from Md. or NJ for that matter

I also believe GLSCS pays out P class winnings.

More boats=more sponsors=bigger purse. Sounds good to me

we are think very hard about opa where can i get rule or are the the same as sbi?

I can hook you up with a rule book. We will be running GPSs next season.

And it would be great to have you nuts run with us nuts.

We had alot fun w/ you down in ST Pete. I look forward to play time

Not to be long winded....but the latest fragmentation of offshore powerboat racing is very similar to what is continuing to destroy indy car racing.

IRL(Indy Racing League)
Tony George: one man who has final say on every aspect of the sport
Spec technical rules to limit technology and the costs of racing and to improve the level of competition

CART(Championship Auto Racing Teams)
Controlled by rich team owners who agree to disagree on everything
Much more liberal technical rules, state of the art equipment, higher costs, level of competition continually declining

Although the IRL has survived and some would say thrived, by having more cars and better racing than CART, and attracting some of the biggest teams and drivers from CART, and maintaining the INDY 500;..the sport has suffered from a declining fan and sponsor base.Even some team owners and drivers have left altogether or gone on to NASCAR.
And CART, most people think thier days are numbered.

we are real close to you only about 5 hours instead of 14 sounds great to me.

who you calling nuts? we are Jokers but our wifes call us insane i dont get it

OPA paid that much?? $5000 pays for alot of trips up to Jersey to race.......