Finally!!!!!
 

The unification is starting!!!!! Looks like this year will be the best in recent history!!!

http://www.apba-offshore.com/

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

KEY WEST, FL - January 21, 2005 - Offshore Powerboat Racing in the United States of America becomes United after 15 Years. The two Nationally recognized sanctioning bodies in the US that conduct Offshore Powerboat Racing; Superboat International Productions, Inc and APBA Offshore Racing Association, Inc. have announced their plan to combine their resources and promote the sport of Offshore Powerboat Racing together with the support of the 101 year old International Authority of the UIM American Powerboat Racing Association, Inc located in Detroit.

"John Carbonell and I have been working together during the off season to try and develop a win-win program for the SBI and APBA Racers for the 2005 racing season and beyond," Said Bob Bull Chairman of APBA Offshore Racing Association, Inc.

The New organization "World Powerboat Racing, Inc." (WPR) by unanimous decision of the Board has been issued a 10 year licensing agreement from the American Powerboat Racing Association, Inc. to conduct and operate Offshore racing events in the United States. WPR will contract SBIP to conduct and manage all National and Divisional events. "This is the right move for Offshore, the resources of all 3 organizations will allow the sport the opportunity to move forward in the future, stated Steve Hearn, President of APBA

The new licensing agreement incorporates the Class Representative structure within both organizations, which promotes racing membership input. The current SBI and APBA Class Representatives will work together with the UIM Offshore Commissioner to manage and develop the rulebook. New to both Organizations will be the development of the Board of Governors to oversee and support the entire process.

The staff within both Organizations has been retained and will work together in the development of the sport. "The long term race site development and television program of the SBIP organization combined with the 101 year old sanctioning body infrastructure of APBA is a step in the right direction," said Jim Poplin.

The SBIP rulebook has been amended to incorporate the SBIP & APBA technical rules so that all of the classes will be racing under one set of rules. "Each group of registered equipment owners in each class will be allowed the opportunity to work together with the Class Representatives to develop their class", said John Carbonell "This will afford the racer to participate in their future".

This is a positive move in the right direction for Offshore Powerboat Racing. John and Bob have worked to develop a program that has gained the support of the major players in the Sport. Reggie Fountain, Bill Spottswood, Steven David, Kevin Brown, Steve Hern, Jim Poplin, and the entire staff in both organizations as well as many others have finally joined forces for the betterment of the sport.

Over the next few weeks Jim Poplin and John Carbonell will be working together to combine both of the organizations 2005 racing schedules as well as other locations to be added and develop a National and Divisional schedule for all of our race teams.

For more information plan on attending the Annual APBA Meeting being held in Atlanta, Ga. on January 27th through the 29th.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

now we're cookin'

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

D-law,
Give the wife a big huge and tell her the great news....then tell her by the way you have to put the house on hold and race to make sure everything run smooth with SBI/APBA combinding...never been married...but won't that work....I thoght a hug gose a long way now a days

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Awesome. talk about the BIG SHOW. APBA and SBI as one will Rule the seas this year. I can't wait for the schedule. This is going to be a great year. WPR has a nice ring to it.
Way to go APBA and SBI, this is what we wanted

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Now this is what we all have been waiting for! "World Powerboat Racing, Inc." :drink:

I wish all a very smooth transition....

Maybe the big guys finally heard the racers for a change. No one can survive with minimum boat counts.

This is great news!

Bring all them boats to Jersey for at least one race a year!... Please....... :drink:

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

YAHOO. I always thought this was the way to do it and was convinced after Key West this year. This is fantastic news and best of luck to all involved.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Congratulations to all involved!! The future of Offshore Racing looks bright :cool:

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Hell, we may just drop a 496 nin the Warlock and Run F1 now

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Those of you currently racing APBA and SBI deserve this, and I am happy for you. I am also happy as an ex-racer and current fan. Congrats to Bob, John, Steve and the crew for making it happen.

The two premier offshore racing organizations are now one - excellent!!

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

You mean there is somewhere else to race???

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Great job SBI/APBA....the racers spoke and you listened.
Doesn't get much better then this,what a year this will be.
Great schedule,TV,and one of the greats fleet of boats in the world... life is good.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Dlaw, you still selling the new boat?

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

I dont know now.............. this is huge!! I have some people that have expressed interest and I will not turn them away. I really want a team that can put the boat out front to take her. It would be a shame to waste all of the work and $$ that we have invested by not racing the boat!

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Thanks to everyone for making this happen.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Great news !! Good luck in 2005

Jo - Pantera

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JO,

You guys running the F2 boat this year or are you building a canopied version for SV???

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

UNFREEKIN BELEEEVABLE Ya know Jr. and I were thinking about running a reduced schedule this year, and getting back to bussiness. Oh well........better grease up the wheel bearings. Maybe next year. Great job Bubba and Jim and Bob and Deena and and and and and and.........................................

Smitty and Sticks Jersey Boyz Offshore Racing

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Bob and John, I know that it took compromise and vision on both your parts to accomplish this unification. Thank you on behalf of all race fans and those of us that have had the pleasure of working with you both. The sport will finally benefit and perhaps grow as it should. "All" the racers and sponsors need to recognize this opportunity to substantiate the legitimacy of the sport with the race fan public and not let petty arguments or misguided sponsor control destroy the path of destiny your vision allows for.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

This Is Going To Be The" Best " Year Of Offshore Racing, Both For The Racers, But More Inportant For The Spectators Who Have Only Got To Watch A Small Group Of Boats Racing At Any Given Time. Way To Go SBI-APBA, Peristance,and patiences Does Work!!!!!!

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Great job SBI & APBA.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

See everyone in Atlanta,should be interesting.... :D :D

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I was just going to pose the question about OSS???

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Thank YOU , SBI-Apba


From Team Rio Roses V-1

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Imagine this..... Key West turnout at every race. I think this finally proves that MA has NOTHING to do with APBA. Congrats to all the fans, racers and organizers. Now all we need is for OSS to UNITE. How great would that be.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

This is excellent news. Now I am even more anxious for race season to start.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Hats off to Pop and John for moving the Offshore World forward. We look forward to supporting and racing with the new organization. Our hopes are that other organizations follow suit...

Mark Lee
Pair-a-Dice Racing
Oshkosh Thunder Poker Runs

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Mark,

Looking foward to seeing you guys again this year should be great. You always put on a hell off a show...class act.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

I think we're gonna need a bigger boat !!!!

Shall we start an acronym contest???? Augie you go first = )

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

The New organization "World Powerboat Racing, Inc." (WPR) by unanimous decision of the Board has been issued a 10 year licensing agreement from the American Powerboat Racing Association, Inc. to conduct and operate Offshore racing events in the United States

Very cool!! :cool:

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

And do we know yet who exactly is heading up the WPR and it's officers? I'm just trying to understand all of this.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Qball,

No doudt it proves no involvment from MA but it also clarifies the visions had. While he has been bashed every which way this something that MA also wanted.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Where is the meeting at in Atlanta.

Re: Finally!!!!!
 

Based on the amount of interest, they ought to have it at the Georgia Dome. :D :D