Technology that is used at major sports events such as the NFL , including the Superbowl, the NBA, and Major League Baseball is going on-line in Destin to bring the races live and in color worldwide. Actually, the same productions teams involved in these sports and other major special events have been contracted by AMF Productions to broadcast the Merrick World Cup Classic - the United Worlds of OSS, OPA, and POPRA – live to a worldwide audience.



The production itself is a complex technological feat. More than 10 cameras capture the event from multiple angles:

One Cineflex High Definition Camera on a fixed wing aircraft .

One Flir Camera on a helicopter

One handheld camera in a helicopter

One camera at Turn 7

One camera at Start/Finish

One camera at Turn 1

One handheld roving camera

Multiple on-board cameras


The fixed wing aircraft was necessary, because the Cat Extremes are so fast that they outran a conventional helicopter. The Cineflex is a HighDef, gyro stabilized camera, gimbal-mounted in a bubble of an aircraft that outturns and outruns any helicopter.



All cameras are linked via digital microwave to a receive station on Jetty East, home of the production compound. From there, 9 MPEG2 video & audio streams are sent via fiber and decoded to a mobile live direction studio, where the video is processed, recorded, and switched “News at 11” fashion and mixed with live race commentary.



The finished product then is uplinked via satellite and distributed to various broadcasters:

- Worldwide via the Internet in cooperation with Offshoreonly.com

- Via Cox Channel Six to Florida Cox Cable homes

- To the Jumbotron & TV's at Hooters Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

- To all Florida Panhandle Hooters locations

- To 3 JumboScreens located at the dry pits, AJ's, and the VIP area at the Silver Shells in Destin

- To any home or station that can receive the AMC 2 satellite. The signal in on K5 Slot A



Transmission times will be Saturday 1pm and 2:30pm, Sunday 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm

According to current plans, the live broadcast will be a standard feature of all OSS races, with an ever growing list of broadcasters.



“This technology gives fans real-time access to the races,” said Kevin Cooper who spearheads the project for AMF Productions, “it also gives the OSS teams what they deserve: A worldwide live audience, which is highly valued by current and future sponsors.”

Thanks so much to OffshoreOnly.Com, John Haggin, Kevin Cooper and all who are involved in this historic moment for offshore powerboat racing.



We, the fans, are truly grateful........



I foresee great things for OSS, and the future of offshore racing.

"Historic Moment" is the correct word to use.

Sponsors, their customers, fans, family members can follow the racers live from perspectives that were absolutely unavailable before. It's as if you sit in Angel 1, or next to the drivers themselves. The production value and editing ist world class. Never in the history of offshore racing has such a better-than-network-quality program been put together.

Hats off to those who had the vision, gumption, and money to make this possible. This adds a whole new real-time and worldwide dimension to offshore.

It already attracted the interest of other, international racing organizations. This Worlds may be the beginning of a true worldwide sport.

Congratulations to AMF Productions! The LIVE footage is absolutely amazing.

Never seen anything like it,and we are in Destin on the 16th floor of a condo in the middle of the course Actually better than being here in a way,thanks John Haggin

Haggin for President.

And on top, he has the most beautiful first, second, third, fourth etc. ladies!

Awesome technology....historic day. Thanks AMF

WOW this is great thank you to all envolved!!!

watched from the condo on the jumbotron, tv, and live as the boats passed what a show!!! no three ring circus here. the town of destin is impressed,
all those that didnt go to vegas, "this is unreal" OSS, OPA, POPRA have taken a large step forward in the sport.


thanks John Haggin and all those that have made it possible

Thanks John Haggin , the live broadcast was impressive!

Brian Hollis
www.offshoreracingleague.com