APBA Meeting in Orlando
 

Was Anyone at the meeting ???

Any info or miniutes???

Better yet... how bout a schedule???

Rumor has it
 

They are hooking up with Lee Mills. Isn't this where all the madness started? As the prop turns.....................

My Chief was there ....haven't heard anything yet.

I was there and it was very productive. Bob Bull and Jim Poplin really have their hearts in the right place. I expect good things from these guys...... and I was skeptical coming into the meeting.

So...did they announce a schedule???

this just in

confirmed sites

St Cloud 4/2-4/3
Marathon 5/14-5/16
Sarasota 8/27-8/29
Key West 11/14-11/21 (Worlds)

In Negotiations

Orange Beach 4/30-5/1
Cincinatti 6/18-6/20
Savannah 7/2-7/4
Cape Cod 9/3-9/5
Ft. Lauderdale Sept TBD (Divisional)
St. Pete 10/15-10/17
Charleston SC (DATE TBD)
Jacksonville (DATE TBD)

And prize money.... :eek:

No Daytona? It's my favorite place to watch a race.:(

Re schedule:


The APBA press release lists the St. Cloud Divisional als "confirmed." It also says Marathon and Key West are "back on track." The release does not list any other race sites, but says: "A total of eight additional race sites were under various stages of negotiations, with announcements to be continued as they are finalized."

Re prize money:

"While the organization itself suggested the Professional Race Membership Program at a fee of $5,000.00 per member to offset the costs of the television production, of which the total Bob Bull himself would match, a discussion gave way to the idea that if the racer membership discontinued the prize money disbursement for 2004, the funds could be allocated back to cover television, without having to require the racers to come out of pocket for funds.

That idea was unanimously presented and agreed to by the race teams present, and the organization will now begin negotiating both the television production of the 2004 shows, as well as T.V. network opportunities, all which will be presented back to the membership for their input."


Full press release at http://www.apba-offshore.com/news.cf...10&Action=view

I was at the Orlando meeting today and can confirm that the race in Sarasota is confirmed for Aug.27,28,29.It was a great meeting with very positive input from all.I want to thank Bob,Jim and the Staff for an outstanding job!! Hope to see everyone in St. Cloud.

Anthony Puccio
Sarasota Race Chairman

I am going to urge everyone to go to www.apbaoffshore.com and read the story I have posted on the front page so that you have ALL THE INFORMATION from that meeting.

The only additon to that story is that Sarasota confirmed their dates as above in August during the meeting, which I greatly apoligize for omitting. (2/1/04 - A press release was sent to Bob Bull, Jim Poplin and Anthony Puccio for their review announcing Sarasota.)

Please make sure to send anyone who is interested in the details on the meeting to www.apbaoffshore.com for the FULL STORY that I have written, and if you pass the information on, it would be greatly appreciated if you would NOT take parts out of context, as it is unfair to the reader, and to APBA Offshore without the entire information being available.

Thanks
Michelle May - Schmidt

FYI, the Ft. Lauderdale Race is NOT September 4th. It is slated for September 04 and we have not confirmed my date as of yet, as I am still attempting to work around other schedules.

I think that everyone at that meeting agrees none of us wants to list a "tentative schedule" of races to the public, and the disclosure of the sites "under negotiation" was a good faith effort by the APBA Offshore team to keep everyone informed.

I cannot stress that everyone needs to read the story on the www.apbaoffshore.com website, and stand by the racers on the issue that all official announcements will be made on the site, when the dates are confirmed as commited.

For the better of the sport...
MMS

No One went away unimpressed!
 

The evolution of APBA/Offshore Racing was evident and secure in the hands of the next stage of leadership. I personally was astonished at the meeting how the commitment of Bob Bull effected the group as a comforting indication that the future was even more promising and exciting then ever. The schedule will fill in and the participants this year will add there contribution to the future as well. I can feel the sound of those engines rumbling in the distance! Yeh Baby! Yeh!

Thanks INC for sticking it to it! Great meeting!

Ray

I thought the meeting was very good. Bob and Pop's commitment is inspiring, and Marks presentation definitely laid everything on the table.

The best message in it all was this isn't an exclusive club. Race here race there - just race.... Bob's focus is clearly on the racing and not the politics of it.

When you combine all of the schedules out there and the ones yet to come there is definitely a great year of racing ahead.

jc

Great meeting yesterday !!!! Thanks you Bob, Pops, Mark and Michelle for the fantastic job !!!! I was truly impressed with the openess of the conversations and the truly warm feeling the meeting in it's entirety had. I can't wait for the 2004 APBA race season to begin. I just wished you guy's could fix the traffic jam on I4 on the way home !!!!:D Thank's APBA !!!! Dave Warden

Re: No One went away unimpressed!
 

THERE IS A GOD!!!

My prayers are being answered.......:cool: :cool: :cool:

I just spoke to Jim Poplin and he has told me to let you all know to change your internet address for APBA Offshore to
www.apbaoffshoreracing.com
which will take you to the site directly.

Bob Bull has noted that will be the new, published website address to take you to the existing site, so pass that on.

I too was at the meeting and was very impressed with the new regime, Bob Bull will listen to any and all ideas and wants the racers involved in the decision making process as evident of our vote to give up prize money in leu of charging a $5000 pro membership fee. He also offered match every dollar generated towards TV

Cape Cod a week after Sarasota? Any race a week after another race?

Cape Cod labor day weekend???? Are you kidding??
In that case, better reserve rooms now.

I didn't even realize that was Labor Day weekend ...

That race sucked when they had it on a cold weekend in the Spring, I don't even want to think about what it's going to be like on Labor Day, especially the traffic ...

GUYS - don't you think you should wait and see if these will actually happen?

This is NOT a "tentative list" it was only some sites that were under discussion, and that list is not correct anyway, because Bruce's guy left before the whole meeting was over.

The only sites you should book for anything are confirmed sites...

Boy, am I glad that I am not the producer of Cape Cod, I wouldn't want to see what's written here -
talk about chasing them away before they get started...

That's so true Michelle!

People! People! its a work in progress, and your input is requested.

Ray, I am going to PM you a lead to help you with your race
M

Michelle,

I have a copy of the hand out with the confirmed dates and Venues/ Dates currently being negotiated. I have posted that as such. (see post #6)

No negative feedback here. Cape Cod is a great Venue. its a Holiday Weekend at a very popular vacation spot. which will most likely make it hard to get accomadations.

Yes, the last race in Cape Cod was undesirable. But not because its a bad venue. I believe it just happened to be a bad weather weekend, which we up in the north have learned to expect, early in the season.

rpusillo....I think we are posting input. Only input.

Lets hope it happens...It will be nice to see APBA back up in the NE

Hey Bruce,any of you guys comeing down for St. Cloud in april?Good race to see what bugs have to be worked out before the season gets started.And on top of that you cant find a nicer bunch of peaple at any race.We will be their with the Gambler boat to give it a shake down run before Marathon and Ft. Myers.

Hey Mel...

at this point I have not given any thought to the St Cloud race. But, Ill tell you this. the bugs better be worked out long before then. We are planning on Miami and Ft Meyers but as usual, it depends on if I can break away from the business. I know Some of the other Boyz are going to try to make Miami and Ft Meyers too. But who knows.

I will keep St. Cloud in mind. If I can get down there I'll race for sure.

Regards

Bruce,hope you and somemore can make it,but if not we will see you in Frt. Myers the week after Marathon.We got to test the new boat for the first time last week and found it very interesting. Hard to believe it an Vixen look so much alike an are so different.Got a few things to do yet then we take it on a 80 mile run an see how the engine an drive fair.If that goes good we start in the rough water an see what it handles like.Sy hello to the rest of the boyz,seems like nobody gets on here this year. Mel

They are all here...just keepin a low profile.

low profile
 

Hi Mel

Mel...see you in Ft. Myers!...if the weather doesn't break up here by the end of March...we might be down early to test...& leave the boat there....:cool:

Marty