Ron P

The Liberty Grand Prix
October 8 – 10, 2004

Welcome to the inaugural running of the Liberty Grand Prix in Camden, New Jersey. The town of Camden is very excited to have boat-racing return to the shores of the Delaware. This race is being heavily promoted on local radio and television stations so attendance is expected to be very high on both sides of the river. Only once before when the Unlimited Hydroplanes came to Camden fifteen years ago did the roar of high performance engines echo along the famous Delaware River. It was Steve Gronka’s vision to bring Offshore Powerboats together with Sea Quest Kids, the Little League of boating, together on the Delaware River as a culmination of the celebration of Navy Week, a tribute to all branches of armed forces. With OPA, GLSCS and OSS boats in attendance and the Battleship New Jersey serving as a backdrop, this will certainly be a picturesque and exciting racecourse for racers and fans alike.

This entire race site is in the newly renovated Camden Waterfront. Everything is in a confined area and should offer awesome viewing from the deck of the Battleship NJ and along the Camden waterfront. Go to www.camdenwaterfront.com and click on the Interactive Map on the right side of the page. The map will give you a feel for the area that we are using for this race.

This race will serve as the OPA – P Class Divisional Championship. OPA will utilize a single race “winner take all” format to crown the 2004 Champions in each of the five P Classes. Additionally, OPA will offer a second race for the OSS spec classes: Vee Lite, Vee, Cat Lite, SuperCat. This is not an OSS points race, rather it’s another chance for the racers to test the boats one last time before the World Championships in Key West.

Any boat can run at this race. OPA will accept any equipment and teams that have a valid 2004 registration with ANY sanctioning body. Equipment fees will only be paid to OPA if the boat has never raced in 2004. All boats will need to pay the $500 race entry fee. An additional $250 race entry fee may be charged to help offset the cost of a TV production of the race.

We expect over 40 boats at this race site so all teams are encouraged to go to the OPA site at www.offshoreperformanceassociation.com/forms.htm and download the forms so they can be filled out prior to registration. A few maps of the area can be found at www.thejerseyboyz.homestead.com/camden.html to help you find your way around the area. If you’re flying in, Philly airport is only twelve miles away.


Schedule of events

Host Hotel: Hilton Hotel - RT 70 and West Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Tel: 1-856-665-6666 Fax: 1-856-662-3676 – The rooms are under OPA - $89 - $110 per night.

Friday – Oct 8th
Dry Pits open for boat parking – 4pm - Parking lot #2 by Tweeter Center at corners of Harbor and Delaware Ave.
Racer Welcome Party – 7pm to 10pm - All Racers and Volunteers are welcome to attend. Sponsored by Ace Transportation. This party will kick off the weekend with open bar and plenty of food - located inside of the Victor Building – Corner of Market and Delaware Ave.

Saturday – Oct 9th
Registration and Inspection – 9am to 4pm in the dry pits, parking lot #2
Wet Pits – 7am through weekend – Wiggins Park Marina – next to Battleship NJ
Cranes – Two cranes available 1pm to 5pm – Hot Pits – RCA Pier – cranes will also have spreader straps for boats without lifting rings.
Ramp – Derousse Ave in Pennsauken NJ.
Race Fuel – 1pm to 5pm – Hot Pits – RCA Pier
Testing – 2pm to 4pm Happy Hour
Race Control – 1pm to 5pm – VHF channel 78a – Located Behind Marina Office
Drivers Meeting – MANDITORY – 5pm in the Ward Room aboard Battleship NJ.
Volunteer Meeting – MANDITORY – 6pm in the Ward Room aboard the Battleship NJ.
Diner and Party – From 7 – 9pm on the Fan Tail of the Battleship NJ. This party will feature a buffet diner, a live band, a cash bar and the gift shop will be open during the party. All racers and volunteers that wish to attend are invited/must make a tax-deductible donation of $50 per person (kids 12 and under are free) payable to the Battleship New Jersey for providing this party. Additional funds may be donated to keep this amazing floating museum in tiptop condition. Tours of the ship, simulator rides, souvenir photos are all available during the party at additional cost.

If you plan on attending the Saturday evening party on the Battleship, please go to http://www.offshoreperformanceassoci...awards2004.htm and
download the form. Fax or mail the completed form to OPA. All checks should be made payable to the Battleship New Jersey. Your credit card will show a charge from the Battleship NJ.

Ron P

Sunday – Oct 10th
Race Fuel – 7am to Noon – Hot Pits – RCA Pier
Cranes – Two cranes will be available from 7am to 4pm – Hot Pits – RCA Pier – Spreader straps will be available.
Wet Pits – Open – Wiggins Park Marina – Next to Battleship NJ
Ramp - Located on Derousse Ave in Pennsauken NJ
Race Control – 11am to 4pm – VHF channel 78a – Located behind Marina Office
Racer Physicals – MANDITORY – 7am to 8am in the Hilton Hotel.
Driver’s Meeting- MANDITORY – 9am in the Hilton Hotel
All Volunteer Boats on Station – 11:30am
Start of the P-Class National Championships – Noon - Classes P1, P2, P3, P4 & P5.
Start of the OSS Race – 2pm – Vee Lite, Super Vee, Cat Lite, Super Cat.
Racecourse shut down – 3pm – All volunteer boats are released from stations
Awards – 4pm – Free outdoor concert at Wiggins Park by Wet Pits. Sponsored by OPA

After the races are over, there’ll be plenty of water available for wash downs and engine flushing. At 4pm, walk over to Wiggins park and enjoy a free outdoor concert with the Margaretville sounds of Jimmy and the Parrots to get us all in the mood for the awards and help us get ready for the trip to Key West.

Jim O’Conner from www.njsportpics.com has arranged for a helicopter and will be taking his usual amazing photos of this race. Check his site the night of the race.

If you need further information, reply to this email or call OPA at 732 477 7400.

AugiePensa

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