Sooooo I ask again.
WHAT RULES, SBI, OSS, APBA?
pat W

Steve thanks, you and Lee have always supported The Jersey Boyz. We will have the food, we are even getting a slicer for Smitty's hauler so we can slice the salami real nice and thin. We'll make another tomato salad for everyone. Look forward to seeing everyone. Augie

Hey Mark, screw the license, we don't need no stinkin license but it would be nice if you, the crew and kids came by for chow! Your always welcome. Augie

I missed the food in Sarasota.......but I won't make that mistake again.

Phantom1, Are you going to make Dania??
Charlies Angels/SHRC sure hope so!
BG XO

I'll have to sit that one out. My daughter's first birthday is this weekend.

We'll be pulling for you though - be safe.

Organizations Put the Power Back Into Powerboat Racing

National Racing Organizations Agree to Share The Water in Powerboat Racing Competion, Increase in Boat Count Adds To Spectator Fun

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB)July 16, 2004 -- While Kevin Brown was planning the 20th Anniversary of the Suncoast Offshore Gran Prix powerboat racing event, one thought came to mind, how to bring the two offshore racing organization giants to the table.

Five months later, Brown’s goal for Sarasota's legendary 4th of July weekend Festival came to fruition with over 70+ boats in combined attendance from both the Super Boat International Productions (SBIP) and APBA Offshore Powerboat Racing Association race competitors.

With millions of dollars of high tech equipment on display and the thousands of fans and Offshore Racing Legends in attendance, this year's racer competitors have been more then thrilled.

Today, in a historical move announced by Super Boat International Productions President, John Carbonell, and the APBA Offshore Racing Association President, Jim Poplin, the two organizations have agreed to share the water by attending each others events, while protecting the individual personalities of each racing organization.

At the Drivers Meeting, the news received a standing ovation from the racing community.

"It has only assured us all that we have made the right decision, and it's a move that allows us to return the sport of offshore powerboat racing back to the racers. We couldn't be more pleased," said Poplin.

Carbonell was equally enthusiastic, as was his Series Presenting Sponsor, Reggie Fountain of Fountain Powerboats.

"We're glad to see it occur. We have more boats and that means good racing. It's good from a promotions aspect and we will have even more competition to showcase on our television shows. It's been years since we've had this kind of turnout here in Sarasota. This whole program is good for racing and I have always been for what's good for racing," said Fountain.

In fact, the Fountain Powerboat Facility in Washington, North Carolina will host the upcoming Fountain - Super Boat International Pro Am Race and Kilo Runs, now listed on the APBA Offshore roster as part of their APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Series National Tour.

The event will also award race teams with their choice of either an SBI or APBA/U.I.M. World Championship Kilo Record, or both, this August.

While APBA Offshore will move forward with its own GMC Milwaukee Offshore Gran Prix at the end of July, as well as the Emerald Coast Offshore Gran Prix in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in September, SBI will move forward with the Dania Beach Centennial Super Boat Grand Prix this weekend added to September's racing event at their 13th Annual New York Super Boat International Grand Prix.

The two organizations, however, will run their teams side by side for the remainder of the season line-up, including hosting their National Championships at the same time and place this fall in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

By far, the announcement that both SBI and APBA Offshore will showcase their fleets at 2004 Key West World Championships was probably the most applauded of all.

Now, SBI World Champions will share the podium with the APBA/U.I.M. GMC Pro Grade World Champions, at a venue where legends in the sport have traditionally been born.

"We've been working on the bigger picture since February, and to be honest, I used the credibility of this race to help the process," said Brown, a veteran racer himself.
"My goal was to un-fractionalize the sport and get back to racing. I think everyone can agree that the turnout, with everyone racing here together, has far exceeded our expectations, and it has really benefited the fans."

Brown added that the cooperation between the teams and the groups themselves truly reflects a newer, more positive image of the sport from which to move forward with.

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While Brown was key in getting the groups together, as was Fountain, credit also goes to Carbonell, Poplin, and Bob Bull, C.E.O. and new five-year license holder of the APBA Offshore sanction. Steven David, past President of the American Power Boat Association (A.P.B.A.) and current APBA Offshore Chief Referee joined in as well.

The powerhouses are confident that they have satisfied the racers, the fans and the venues with this move.

"It was the right thing to do for the sport, and it's evident that the racers obviously want to do this. I'm a racer myself and it's been ten years since we've all raced together. We need to remove the politics from the sport and return it back to having fun," said Bull.

"We've both brought a whole lot to the table. Our operations, technical and safety teams are working well together, and our guys like the new competition coming to our water. Ending it all in Key West is the best news of all, and I think our move today put the power back into the sport of powerboat racing," said Carbonell.

The 2004 Super Boat International and APBA Offshore Racing Association Tours include

July 16, 17, 18 – 2004 Dania Beach Centennial Super Boat Grand Prix
Dania Beach, Florida

July 30, 31, Aug 1 – 2004 APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade GMC Milwaukee Offshore Gran Prix
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

August 6, 7, 8 – 2004 3rd Annual Fountain Super Boat International’s Pro Am Race
An APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Series Event
AND World Kilo Record Runs (SBI and APBA/U.I.M. sanctions)
Washington, North Carolina

August 20, 21, 22 – 2004 2nd Annual Thunder On The Gulf - Super Boat International's Grand Prix
An APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Series Event
Orange Beach, Alabama

September 10, 11, 12 – 2004 13th Annual New York – Super Boat International’s Grand Prix
New York, New York

September 17, 18, 19 – 2004 APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Emerald Beach Offshore Gran Prix
An APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Series Event
Fort Walton Beach, Florida

October 8, 9, 10 – 2004 8th Annual Deerfield Beach Super Boat National Championship
APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Series National Championship

November 14 thru 21, 2004 24th Annual Key West World Championships
Super Boat International’s World Championships
APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade APBA/U.I.M. World Championship

For all information on the Super Boat International Productions Organization, visit http://www.superboat.com.

For all information on the APBA Offshore Racing Association, visit http://www.apbaoffshoreracing.com, where fans can join the Free Fan Club News Program and receive updates on all APBA Offshore Racing Action.

Media Notice -
To be added to the APBA Offshore Racing Association Media List, please email contact information and email address to

[email protected]