The start of something great!
 

Hello Racers and Race Fans,

In this letter you’ll hear some disappointing news, some good news and some great news. In the end, I hope you agree that this can only be viewed as a huge forward movement for the sport of Offshore Powerboat Racing.

Let’s start with the bad news. Unfortunately I must inform you about the cancelation of three races. Kenner – was not able to secure the needed sponsorship to bring an OSS race to town. I’d like to thank our race producers in Kenner for the monumental effort they put forward, it’s a shame it didn’t work out. Orange Beach – The race committee actually cancelled this race back in April feeling the economy in Orange Beach couldn’t support the event this summer. There was a small group of people trying behind the scene to keep the race alive but they weren’t met with enough support to make it happen either. Finally, the October race in Jupiter Florida was recently cancelled due to the economic climate in Florida and the lack of willing sponsors. Once again, thanks to everyone in Orange Beach and Jupiter that spent countless hours attempting to bring the OSS Race Series to their town. The National Championship race in Lake of the Ozarks is definitely on – September 25 – 27.

Everyone involved with this sport, be it a racer or a fan has been asking for unification for a long time and this seemed like a good time to investigate the possibilities. After several discussions with Ed Smith (Smitty) from OPA we’ve collectively come up with something that is very exciting and should certainly help move this sport in the right direction. Here’s what we’ve come up with. OSS will replace the Kenner race with a race one week later in St Clair MI (Aug 1&2). This will be a joint race with OPA run by the Blue Water Offshore Racing Association. This will be an OPA and OSS points race. We expect to have 60 boats at this race. From there, we’ll do another joint race in either Patchogue NY on Aug 22 & 23 or Point Pleasant NJ on Sept 12 - 13 to replace the Orange Beach Race. This will also be an OPA and OSS points race. Then on September 26 & 27 the Lake of the Ozarks will host the 2009 OSS National Championship Race. This will be an OSS points race but not an OPA points race, however, some of the OPA teams will be joining us in LOTO to show their support of our collective race series. (This is not an OPA points race only because OPA has a race one week prior in Cambridge MD and some teams may not be able to do back to back races.) As a final race (Worlds to replace Jupiter FL) OPA has been invited back to Ocean City MD in Oct and they’ve invited OSS to race there too. Details will be worked out over the next few weeks and we’ll keep you informed as to our progress. This race in Ocean City MD will be the final race for OPA and OSS in 2009.

As you can see, during 2009, OPA and OSS will keep their respective identities and race together. Once this season is over, it is our intention (with the approval of our teams) to drop the OSS and OPA names and come out with a new unified race series name for 2010 and beyond. For next year, we’ll take the best of our collective race sites and make a single fantastic series with more than 50 boats at every event.

Nothing worth doing comes easy and I’m sure that there will be a few bumps along this road to unification but we are determined to move down it for the betterment of Offshore Racing as a whole. We hope you agree and will support our efforts.

Ron Polli - OSS President Ed Smith – OPA President

Great news Ron. How about a few of you guys stop in to Harrison Township too. We would love to have you guys. There is penty of storage space for the rigs for the week between us and St Clair.

AWESOME...GREAT JOB RON AND SMITTY:drink:

:party-smiley-020::Score-101010:

This part of the news is great for the racers. For the fans who have reservations and flights to the other 4 races on the schedule that were cancelled it sucks! Cancelling 4 races in a season is really unprofessional.

I don't want to just complain though...the news with OPA seems to be really good for the sport.

:bigbird:

Ron are they stil going to do the TV shows folllowing the racers around ??

I get to inspect your boat afterall...hehehehe BTW...Racing's hard on the body..I know a great chiropractor in Bradenton..

Its been a long time comming. Everyone has been asking for it and now we are going to do it. For the racers fans,promoters and sponsors this should please them all. More boats in one location is what they all deserve. Lets getter done!!!!
MD

Saint Clair will rock, with not only 60 + offshore boats, the garveys, skiffs, and inflatable outboards will be running as well. Welcome all, If anyone needs anything call me 732 920 3945 Smitty

I can understand your comments, however in todays world, it is not surprising nor that simple.

As much as anyone wants to admit it, money does make the world go around... With out the financial backing, things just simply don't happen.

Think of how many races you have attended, then how many spectators there are watching. Now figure how many of those spectators have NOT paid for any weekend passes or even take the time to help at all. There is no hat to pass at any of the races I have ever been too, so sponsorship is really the only way to pay for things.

Maybe this is something to consider; ask for donations? I think this could easily be done, just a thought?

I am glad organizations are coming together for the good of the sport, Thanks for all the hard work!!!!!!!!

The end result of everything that has happened this year could become something very formidable...the "unification" could be very good for everyone. Hopefully the two organizations can work together; I would think and hope the two orgs could soon become one big org.

Good luck to all envolved.