Pete B

Why does your opinion matter Pete?

The same reason as yours, it is freedom of chioce and freedom of speech, i dont personally care if youve owed 50 race boats, your negative reply to my post shows your real agenda, well let me say this i will continue to ask questions and write posts reguarding offshore racing and the direction it is going in, and if you dont like it dont read it, dont come to the racers forum, its that simple. if you havent figured it out yet maybe one day you will. If you think i will just give up, because of you, think again.
you are either passionate about the sport or you are not , i happen to be.
by the way enjoy your freedoms for one day you may not have them.

BDevlin

Whats your point????? It wouldn't matter if 30 Factory boats were racing, they still wouldn't be invited. I know when we are ready to move up in class, it won't mean moving out of SBI/APBA an organization who supports all levels of racers.

In the end I am as much a fan as racer and would love to see all the teams racing together.

MIAMIBOYZ

Hell this past weekend almost all the winners gave their prize money to the Lions club. If prize money is a big issue for some then racing in the black market should suit you best.

vinny kostelac

How is sbi supporting all classes, is opa going to pay the uim fees so they aren't suspended if they want to race both?. If we all agree there should be different levels of racing then, what is wrong with what OSS is doing, if sbi eventually has alot of canopy boats do you really think they will still race them all together, wasn't it apba's agenda to eventually have the classes split? ie: all canopy circuit and open circuit, 80 boats/15 classes at a site is a organized cluster ****, let alone anyone able to know who is racing who.......I am glad it only happened once a year, furthermore there are few sites that can handle that kind of chaos. If the sport is to grow don' you think 40 to 50 boats in five classes would be a great show, not saying you don't have non canopied races, just not all on the same day or weekend.
It seems that it is now difficult for local clubs to maintain any boat count, the expanded national/divisional schedule has hurt the local groups, not supported them. Time will tell how many racers have the time to run at 12 races, how many teams will leave florida if they aren't in the pionts hunt?How many teams still support the local organizations if they are busy running back and forth to florida? I recognize there are a few die hards in jersey, but even they are going to take a hiatus. For now I guess we will see what next year brings, have fun racing wherever you go, just get out there and race.

ScottB

OPA is grandfathered in, so it will be OK to race with them next year

I disagree, When we get those #'s P classes on Sat and pro series Sunday that will be the ticket to success and growth

gary nichols

I've read several expert opinions on OSS and what it costs to put on a race I thought I might share a few facts with you guys.August 21 will be our fifth race in two years in Orange Beach and we are very involved with Lake Pickwick and the Pensacola race.We had two races with SBI,one world championship with APBA,one SBI/APBA race and will have OSS in August.The average sanctioning body charge is close to 100,000 dollars including television,plus up to 15 rooms,plus helicoptors,trophies,rental cars and etc.bringing the cost to put on a first class event to well over 150000 dollars plus hundreds of hours of donated labor.Raising that kind of money is not easy especially for your first race and we have never received a discount from anyone and the APBA actually did a $30,000 last minute hijacking to us[not the present administration]SBI actually paid the prize money at our first race at the trophy presentation as a promoter we had heard so many racers complain about not getting paid from both organizations we wanted to make sure all bills were paid.Their advertized purse is $75,000 but the way it is structured by the amount of boats in each class our average payout was well under $30,000.OSS is a flat $50,000.Both organizations require a large non-refundable deposit at the signing of the contract. So now we have begged and borrowed the $150,000 and promised charities a nice donation guess what?You have to put on the show.You pray for good weather,you pray that at least 25 boats show up and you pray that the fans and your community enjoyed the show so you don't have to move.Is it worth all that? For me it is.I have developed some tremendous friendships with the volunteers who help put the race on and our community loves it.I value the friendships I've made with racers and fans in all three organizations and hate the bitterness that some people publicly share.I joined OSS because I wanted to race supercat and it was where to go race with the best competition not because I didn't like SBI or APBA .I miss you guys and wish you all well and I am very proud to be part of OSS.They are very professional and dedicated and contrary to some peoples beliefs we are financially stable, we,the racers own OSS and are dedicated to the sport.Fans from Orange Beach who went to the Biloxi race have come to me raving about the boats and for the first time knowing who is racing who.They love the excitement of the pace lap and having the course set up the day before.At the Orange Beach race we will qualify on Saturday for starting positions.After all is said and done there is a place for OSS just ask our fans. Be Safe, Gary

AugiePensa

Vinny, OPA is a club circut and doesn't interfear with SBI/APBA/U.I.M. I'm really finding it hard to get it into my head what all the problems are. Race where ever you want! Isn't that kinda simple. Don't knock someone for not racing where you choose to run. Me as "The Godfather" of The Jersey Boyz I choose to be loyal to my friends and families at SBI/APBA and you all know I'll never knock OSS, but that's MY CHOICE. I could've went in with Smitty on the new boat or bought myself a super v but I'm happy where I am, I'm having a ball, not too much stress and it's not a job to me. Guy's, I'm having FUN, you want to come an join us...fine, if not we'll see you at another time and I'll cook you a steak. Any Questions???

Ron P

We need more people like Gary Nichols in this sport.

See ya in Orange Beach, can't wait to return to your gorgous beach front community.

gary nichols

Hey Augie if you guys go to the SBI race in August in Fort Walton Beach its only a little over an hour away to Orange Beach, come on over and I'll cook you a steak.Plus I'm getting married on the race boat Saturday night, we could have a Jersey Boyz reception.I could even get you a police escort as they still have your picture posted at the jail. Gary

Wazzup Racing

Gary, our only dissapointment this year is we wont get to race for the fans of Orange Beach. They are great! Best of luck this season, say Hi to all from the Boyz. Smitty