It's about time!!!

[T2x]

APBA and Offshore groups meet

As part of efforts to strengthen the sport of power boat racing, the American Power Boat Association (APBA) invited representatives from the Offshore Performance Association (OPA), Offshore Super Series (OSS), Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (POPRA), and P1 USA Offshore Racing to discuss the future of Offshore racing.
A day-long meeting took place on December 5, 2009 at APBA Headquarters in Eastpointe, MI. Representatives from OSS, POPRA, and P1 USA participated; no one from OPA was able to attend. APBA was represented by President Mark Weber, Vice President Mark Wheeler, Secretary Jean MacKay-Schwartz, Treasurer Laurie Allen and Executive Director Gloria Urbin.
President Weber emphasized that APBA is no longer leasing the Offshore category, and will not lease Offshore in the future. Weber made it clear that APBA stands ready to work with groups to sanction Offshore races. Anyone with questions concerning APBA and Offshore racing should contact APBA Headquarters in Eastpointe at 586-773-9700 or apbahq@apba-racing.com.
It was not the goal of the December 5 meeting to make formal agreements among those in attendance. No agreements were proposed, or reached. All participants concur that continued discussions will take place, with the goal of enhancing Offshore racing within the United States.

 

[THEJOKER]

That is great news!

 

[Dude! Sweet!]

Wow. Who went out from POPRA?

 

[mikey]

I have heard Bob Teague and Kevin Copper

 

[Ryan Beckley]

Neither Bob nor Kevin are on the POPRA board.

 

[THEJOKER]

Was SBI there?

 

[cigdaze]

This is encouraging. Let us hope that those involved can succeed in bettering the state of affairs in offshore racing.

 

[XtremeRacing]

Be interesting to see what APBA proposes.

 

[mikey]

Neither Bob nor Kevin are on the POPRA board.

May be so but I did hear they were going to be there.

 

[SVL66]

I think Brad Johnson went on behalf of POPRA.

 

[mikey]

I think Brad Johnson went on behalf of POPRA.

I did hear his name as well. Thanks Bruce and I got you email will be in touch in a few days.

 

[THEJOKER]

This is encouraging. Let us hope that those involved can succeed in bettering the state of affairs in offshore racing.

I hear ya. I hope APBA can get things back the way it was in 1999-2002. I'm all about spec racing w/ sealed motors.

 

[SVL66]

I did hear his name as well. Thanks Bruce and I got you email will be in touch in a few days.

Roger that ....thanks

 

[Pete B]

so who was there?? and what happened??

 

[Steve Miklos]

APBA is (or has been in the past) a sanctioning body. The model requires clubs to put on the races. If you look back at 1996 that was the model. The rulebook was archaic and fraught with holes.

I am an APBA supporter I would like to see them involved. But unless things have changed Offshore is a category that APBA will support by offering insurance UIM etc. They do not produce races develop products (classes) etc. That has largely been done by volunteers for decades.

Not throwing a damp rag on things just setting the expectation of what APBA involvement has been in the past.
Steve

 

[TYPHOON]

From what I was told:
SBI no show
OPA no show
P1-USA IN THE HOUSE
OSS IN THE HOUSE
POPRA IN THE HOUSE

There has been a press release that APBA sent out, maybe someone could post it.
Not sure why some Org. didnt show. This was the perfect opportunity to have all sit in a room and talk. I personaly would have locked the door until they all agreed on unity in some way. I believe with all talking face to face it could have been done but another opportunity gone.
MD

 

[XtremeRacing]

Randy I dont think it would be that hard to put a meeting together,and now might be the right time it is early know before schedules come out in the next few wks. I know from that I hear SBI schedule should be cpmplete in the next few wks and out befrore the end of the yr. All it would take is a few phone calls. I know Smitty and John have talked and started that ball rolling.

 

[cigdaze]

Brian & Randy:

The clip Rich posted is directly from the APBA website's newsdesk;

"the American Power Boat Association (APBA) invited representatives from the Offshore Performance Association (OPA), Offshore Super Series (OSS), Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (POPRA), and P1 USA Offshore Racing"
http://www.apba-racing.com/apps/news/index.php

SBI was not invited.

 

[XtremeRacing]

As Steve was saying the Org. still have to get and promote their own race sites, and with the times the way they r now and money being such any issue in the past how does APBA help or change anything. It would add additon fews for every team, and for each race ? That was a big problem in the past when SBI held the agreement and the main reason they gave it up. The cost get out of controll and no benifit.

 

[Pete B]

As Steve was saying the Org. still have to get and promote their own race sites, and with the times the way they r now and money being such any issue in the past how does APBA help or change anything. It would add additon fews for every team, and for each race ? That was a big problem in the past when SBI held the agreement and the main reason they gave it up. The cost get out of controll and no benifit.

Just for my understanding: now that SBI no longer has the APBA/UIM title, it isnt really all it was cracked up to be??? what about the kilo record's and the hall of champions, etc???