Offshoreonly.com - Point Pleasant Race info

Hello Race Fans,

Here’s some preliminary information about the Point Pleasant OPA race on Friday August 15th. This is the premier offshore race at the Jersey Shore, as we continue where the Benihana left off many years ago. This will be New Jersey Offshore Powerboat Racing Association’s 34th year running this mid week, mid summer race. For many years this race was held on the third Wednesday of July, a few years ago we moved the race to Friday in order to make this race more convenient for the racers and the fans to attend. We hope you make it a three-day weekend and join us for this great annual tradition.

This race is sponsored by Jenkinsons, Coors and Peterson’s Bar and Grill. This means a fantastic pre race party at Jenkinsons on Thursday night followed by fireworks over the ocean. Coors will supply an ever flowing supply of beverages and of course, the lovely Coors girls, who are becoming a part of the boat racing tradition in Point Pleasant. Peterson’s Bar and Grill has stepped up to help out by allowing us to use the vacant lot on Rt 70 that’s adjacent to their property as our dry pit area. The Manasquan River Club will once again serve as the launch and hot pit marina.

If you’ve ever wanted to get involved in offshore racing, now would be a good time. We need to add 8 scorers to our race committee. Scorers are on land or on the turn boats during the race and need to pay strict attention to what is happening during the race. We need people who we can count on, as this is a critical job that needs to be done without error. Candidates should not be prone to getting seasick. If you’re interested in joining our team, please send an email to Donna at [email protected].

The volunteer captains meeting will be held either Sunday at 6pm or Thursday at 6pm right before the Jenkinson’s party. First we need to secure the location. Details to follow.

Jenkinsons is really playing up the whole extreme sports craze and will be promoting this week as Extreme Sports Week at Jenkinsons. The events throughout the week serving as a warm up act will include, skateboarding, skydiving, jet ski wave jumping and finally on Friday, the most extreme sport of them all, Offshore Powerboat Racing.

On race day, the crane will be available for launch and reveled from 8am to 4pm. The boats will leave the hot pits at 11:45 and will come out the inlet at 12:45 for a 1PM start. Following the race the winner circle will be held at Petersons on Rt 70 at 2:30 and the awards will follow at 5pm.

Two important items for the OPA racers.

We had hoped to run a dual points race with SBI at their Hudson River race in September, however OPA was not invited to attend. If you choose to race with SBI in NY, the points will not attribute to your OPA standings.

The TBA date on the OPA calendar can now be revealed. We’ve been working with the CBPBA to put together a race in the Chesapeake Bay area. Well, the deal is not completely done as getting a sponsor is always difficult, but we feel confident that the CBPBA will pull this event together and you should mark your calendar for September 28th. After a summer of rough water races, the racers should enjoy this calm water event. More details will follow as they unfold.

See ya at the races,

Ron