At this special time of the year it’s always nice to share a heartwarming story with friends. Here’s a story about what was probably the single most special moment of the 2006 racing season and it had nothing to do with racing. In fact, it had nothing to do with a racer. It had everything to do with on kid’s experience with offshore racing.

In Destin Florida at the World Championship Races, Smitty’s youngest son – Boomer – opened the awards presentation by reading this short speech that he had written that afternoon while watching the OSS races with his family. Boomer upstaged Al Copeland and Martin Sanborn as he read this in front of hundreds of people that were packed in front of the stage at AJ’s.

Enjoy the wise words of a twelve year old.


- What Offshore Racing Means to Me –
By Nicholas Smith – Aka Boomer

I got involved in this sport long before my Dad and brother started racing. For me it all started the day my Dad and I first paid a visit to Old Man Kurt to try and buy his old race boat called Mary K. My Dad loved that boat and didn’t want anything else. We’d stop by and visit Old Man Kurt every month or so and my Dad would try every angle to make a deal with him but Old Man Kurt wouldn’t budge on the price. Mary K was a 1979 31’ Viper, one of only three built before the mold was lost in a fire.

One day when my Dad and I stopped by to see the boat, Old Man Kurt came out and told us that we’d finally wore him down. He gave in and sold us the boat. That was one of the happiest days of my life. It felt like Christmas for the whole family. From there Anthony and I did the rerigging and my Dad did all the hard stuff. It took three years, to rebuild her and our first race was Point Pleasant NJ. It was a really rough race and we took third that day behind Dry Martini and Rolling Thunder. It was a race I’ll never forget, August 14th 2000, the day Wazzup was born.

Over the years we’ve experimented with racing in all the organizations, SBI, OSS, and APBA but we found our home in OPA. These are my friends, all of who I look up to. I’m so deeply passionate about this sport and it really makes me happy when all of our boyz come together and put on a show. Nothing is better than rolling into a town after a long drive and seeing the pits filled with my friends and their race boats. I’m proud of all you guys and honored to call you my friends.

Old Man Kurt passed away a few years ago, but I know he’s been watching us race his old boat and I just hope that we’ve made him proud of how we’ve brought his old race boat back to life. We’ve won lots of races with that old boat and I’ll let you in on a little secret, its not the boat it’s my Dad and my brother, they are the best there is, they’re my heroes and you’ll never beat them.

I’ve enjoyed meeting all of you this past year and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone next summer for another season of OPA racing.

Merry Christmas,

Boomer and OPA

Nice Job Boomer



Mike

BOOMER your the best pops

lemme tell ya a lil something. i've been dealing with the public for almost 20 years in my business, and deal with families everyday...Boomer has got to be one of the neatest kids i've ever came across. i dont only say that because i'm friends with his family but i say that from the heart. Boomer is one helluva special kinda kid. Boomer you da man !! and my hats off to his family for raising one helluva kid.
Merry Christmas to you and you family.

Boomer I Love U--- Ur My Little Bro That I Never Had------ Love- Dukes

Boomer for President

Boomer

You and your Family have made it a joy to RACE this year.
ONE FAMILY UNITED IN BOAT RACING
Happy Holiday to you and your family

Simmons Racing
Jim Carol & our Boys

You Da Man Boomer! We all LOVE ya Bro.

Hey Boomer that was really cool ! I also want to thank you for boat racing 101 during our many conversations in the pits. It won't be long now before your pushing the old man out of the drivers seat don't worry Smitty you can ride with c urtis and I if you think your up for it. One more thing pal. Ask your mom and dad to put an hour aside when you come up for the LI race and we'll go operate some heavy equipment like shredders dozers payloaders. I think you'll like that. I've been doing it for 25yrs and it's still fun.

Let Me Tell You Guys Something About Boomer And His Family, They Are Second To None.
In Ft. Myers Earlier This Year, We Tried To Get The Old Skater To Win Her Last Race. Well After A Couple Hits Here And There We Finished In 5th.
The Next Morning Boomer Came Up To Me And Said, " Mike, I Want To Give You And Your Dad Our Bottle Of Champagne Because You Guys Deserved To Win That Race". It Brought A Tear To My Eyes As This Young Man Showed The True Spirit Of Our Racing.
I Still Have That Bottle, Unopened, On Display In My Bar, Next To My Jersey Boy Plaque. And No Money Will Buy That Bottle
Boomer, Thanks For Making My Day That Weekend
Mike Stancombe
Peppers Racing