Over the past four years, OPA led by Kurt Berger has brought racing back to the Northeast in a big way. He’s grown the series from a single race in Point Pleasant to a full circuit by adding new events in Atlantic City, Cambridge MD and most recently Camden NJ. Why he spent so much time and effort to grow the OPA series is only known to him, because it definitely wasn’t for the money.

At a meeting held over this past weekend, Kurt informed the OPA racers in attendance that he’s decided to step down as the President of OPA and go back to being a racer. This summer, he’ll be on the throttles of the old Labatts cat racing in OPA’s P1 class with Bob Vesper. His announcement left a void at the top of OPA and no one wanted to accept his resignation, but his mind was made up.

The OPA racers in attendance at the meeting asked Ed Smith (Wazzup’s Smitty) to take over the role of President of OPA. Being the nut that he is, Eddie accepted the nomination and will try to pick up where Kurt left off. Eddie brings a renewed level of enthusiasm to our club and will hopefully continue to build on what Kurt had started.

All the OPA members would like to wish Kurt success in all his future ventures and to say Thank You for everything that he did to promote and build Offshore Racing in the Northeast. We look forward to seeing Kurt wearing a helmet again in 2005 and hopefully, with less stress, he can have some fun again on the racecourse.

On a personal note, I’ve had the opportunity to work very closely with Kurt these last four years and have enjoyed his camaraderie and devotion to the sport. Without him, racing in the NE would be a dead issue.

Please welcome Smitty in his new role as head zookeeper.

Smitty, your crazier than I thought. Good luck in the new role and Congrats.
Good choice Boyz.
PS Does that mean Augie is your Sgt at Arms

Kurt:
Your time and dedication has tremendously enhanced the sport of offshore powerboat racing in the Northeast . I want to personally thank-you and your dedicated staff in producing such a high level of powerboat racing in our area. To have you back on the course as a "racer only" will bring back many memories of us at different race sites over the past eleven years. My hat is off to you.

and for you Smitty-----You know you can always call me for any help and when I am not racing the National Circuit; the big Apache will be at your beckoning call.

As always guys, you ARE the best.
Bob

I repsect Kurt's decision and wish him the best of luck, as well. Smitty is going to need all the help he can get. I'm sure this is no easy undertaking. So, I will make myself available to help whenever and wherever I can.

Smitty - all the best to you. You can make it happen!

Congrats Smitty and Kurt!!!!
Sounds like a decision that will make them both happy.
Who is Smitty anyway? Wazzup? Is he the owner of the boat with Taz on the side? Did I see him at the Cleveland High Stakes poker run?
Does anyone have a pic?

Wazzup!!

NO..Smitty is Ed Smith from Team WAZZZUP located here in NJ. Not to be confused with Ed Smith from the Team Traffic Light.

Kurt and Smitty,

Best to you both in your new positions! I'd wager that Kurt's the one that's going to have a great time Smitty, If there is anything that we can do from the APBA side to help, please let me know.

Steve David

Good luck Smitty and Kurt


Mike