|
| |
OSS
Announces Details of National Championships
|
|
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday, October 21,
2004 Corpus Christi, TX
The Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing
Association (OSS) announced that, due to the
devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ivan in
Pensacola, Florida the OSS racers voted to
have the 2004 National Championship races in
Key West, Florida on Wednesday, November
17th. This is the week of the combined Key
West World Championship that will not only
see the boats from OSS, but SBI and APBA
compete for a World Title. National points
will be awarded from Wednesdays race in the
OSS categories for OSS members only.
Elaine Motl, CEO of OSS said, "We were
looking forward to the Nationals and being
in Pensacola but Mother Nature had other
plans. Our thoughts are with not only those
in Pensacola, but with everyone adversely
affected by the storms in the past month. We
are thrilled that the "Sound of Thunder
on Pensacola Beach" will be held on the
14th - 16th of October, 2005."
As the Nationals and World Championship
approach the OSS racers are battling it out
on the points scale. #20 Reliable Carriers
leads in the OSS Cat Category with #84
Popeye close behind. For the OSS Cat Lite
Category #11 In Mocean Again is ahead of #60
Ettore Squeegees by 56 points. #8 Spiderman
and #99 The Switch are fighting for the lead
in the OSS Vee Category and #4 Wildcard is
ahead of #47 Team Imco by 100 points in the
OSS Vee Lite Category.
OSS is a not for profit organization
dedicated to the further development and
growth of offshore powerboat racing in North
America. For more information, check out
www.offshoresuperseries.com or call Race
Headquarters at 361-985-1555.
|
OSS
Announces
2005 Race Schedule
|
|
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday, September 30, 2004 ,
Corpus Christi, TX
The Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing
Association (OSS) is proud to be the FIRST
offshore racing organization to announce its 2005
National Race Tour schedule. Eight cities have
confirmed their participation and several other
cities are currently under negotiations.
In December of 2003, a group of offshore race boat
owners announced the formation of the Offshore
Super Series Powerboat Racing Association. Since
then the national organization has hit the waves
head on accomplishing their objectives of
furthering the image and professionalism of
offshore racing and providing quality venues in
which spectators, sponsors, producers, and the
membership can all benefit.
OSS has become a great success racing in the 2004
season while gaining momentum everyday for the
exciting 2005 schedule. OSS is featured on
national television generating many interests and
showcasing the OSS teams that use the finest state
of the art canopy boats with the top racers in the
world behind the wheel!
The cities confirmed in the 2005 National Race
Tour are Biloxi, Mississippi, Pickwick, Tennessee,
Fort Myers, Florida, St. Clair, Michigan, Orange
Beach, Alabama, Louisville, Kentucky, Pensacola,
Florida, and Key West, Florida.
OSS is a not for profit organization dedicated to
the further development and growth of offshore
powerboat racing in North America. For more
information, check out www.offshoresuperseries.com
or call Race Headquarters at 361-985-1555.
2005 OFFSHORE SUPER SERIES NATIONAL RACE TOUR
April
22-24 Confirmed:
Smokin’ the Sound, Biloxi, MS
May 13-15 Confirmed: Pickwick Offshore
Challenge, Pickwick, TN, Home of Pier 57
May 27-29 Confirmed: Fort Myers Beach
Offshore Grand Prix, Fort Myers, FL
June 17-19 City in negotiations
July 15-17 Two cities in negotiations
July 29-31 Confirmed: St. Clair River
Classic Offshore Race, St. Clair, MI
August 19-21 Confirmed: Thunder on the
Gulf, Orange Beach, AL
September 2-4 Confirmed: Louisville
Offshore Grand Prix, Louisville, KY
September 30-October 2 City in negotiations
October 14-16 Confirmed: Sound of Thunder on
Pensacola Beach, Pensacola, FL
November 13 20 Confirmed: Key West World
Championship, Key West, FL |
| |
St.
Clair Steps Forward, St. Pete Looks Back
|
|
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, July 27, 2004
With the successful
St. Petersburg, Florida, race at their backs, Offshore
Super Series Powerboat Racing Association (OSS) racers
move forward to St. Clair River, Mich., this week.
”Todd Werner and his staff from the St. Petersburg
Offshore Super Series did an outstanding job of
overcoming many obstacles to put on a great race for OSS,”
said Elaine Motl, CEO for OSS.
Now teams are moving their equipment and energy forward
to the third race of the season in St. Clair River on
July 30 through August 1.
”OSS is proud to support grass roots, divisional
racing in St. Clair. Their race is the longest
running event on the Great Lake Silver Cup Series,”
Motl said. “The Blue Water Racing Association is
well-known for their excellent race management skills
and warm hospitality towards the race teams.”
The OSS CAT teams will be eager to arrive and get a race
in as their race was canceled because of rain in St.
Petersburg. Each team on site to race received 30
points toward their overall Point Standings, and as the
standings stood after the Biloxi race, #84 Popeye, #12
Pro Marine and #20 Reliable Carriers remain in the top
three spots, respectively.
In the OSS VEE class, #18 Adrenaline Racing remains at
the top of the points standings after finishing second
to St. Petersburg winner #8 Spiderman, who has climbed
two spots since Biloxi to claim a third ranking, just
six points behind second ranked #99 The Switch.
”We had a great time in St. Petersburg. It was
good to finish the race and a big bonus to win,” said
Todd Welling, owner and throttleman for Spiderman.
“We look forward to the race in St. Clair River!”
OSS CAT LITE teams, which had the largest category with
11 boats entered, had race fans in St. Petersburg
watching to see if #7 Team CRC would hold on to the top
rank. At the finish, #11 In Mocean Again and Again
won the St. Petersburg race to take over the top team
ranking, moving Team CRC to the second rank and #60
Ettore up to the third rank.
”It felt awesome to win at St. Petersburg! It
was a very big race for us. Our crew is based out
of St. Pete and Sarasota, so it was a local race for us
with a lot of fans there,” said Jerry Sorrentino,
owner and driver for In Mocean Again and Again.
“Joey (Gratton) and I are back in our groove like we
were in our 2002 series. My ghosts are leaving me,
and I’m regaining my confidence since the wreck in
2003.”
In the OSS VEE LITE category, teams will be chasing #4
Wildcard who held on to the number one rank with a win
in St. Petersburg to add to his first place finish in
Biloxi. Sharing the second rank are #47 Team Imco
and #29 Typhoon, with #52 Hocus Pocus just one point
behind. The race is sure to be intense at St.
Clair River.
”Typhoon, Team Imco and Hocus Pocus have a great
battle going on back there, and it will be great if they
step up and get up front,” William Ros, Wildcard owner
and driver, said with a laugh. “Everything’s
been working out for us, so well keep up what we’ve
been doing, and we’ll never miss an OSS race!
Everyone did an outstanding job at the St. Petersburg
race, and we especially liked the food at the Awards
Ceremony. Great party!”
On Saturday night in St. Petersburg, for the first time
ever in Offshore Racing, a racers number was officially
retired. In a heartfelt ceremony attended by more
than 300 people, everyone came together to honor Randy
Linebach of #24 Team Airborne. The #24 was retired
and will not be used again in the OSS CAT
division. The Linebach Family was presented with a
Forever 24 commemorative checkered flag that will fly at
each OSS race.
St. Clair River organizers await the arrival of OSS
teams and spectators to host during the July 30 weekend,
where past events have attracted as many as 40,000
spectators.
For racers, the St. Clair River means approaching a one
mile wide race course located between Lake Huron and
Lake St. Clair. It also means encountering a 7 mph
Southerly current on the southern turn for racers to
overcome while completing the eight-mile, international
course. The Great Lakes Silver Cup Series race
control works with Canadian officials to clear the way
for racers to turn through Canadian waters on the south
side of the course.
OSS is a not for profit organization dedicated to the
further development and growth of offshore powerboat
racing in North America. For more information or
to view race results, check out: www.offshoresuperseries.com.
|
|
OSS
NEWS
|
SBIP
And OSS Welcome APBA Offshore To The Key West World
Championship Race
|
|
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, July 19, 2004
Super Boat International
Productions (SBIP) and Offshore Super Series (OSS)
announced today the acceptance of an agreement that
gives the American Powerboat Association (APBA) Offshore
Division the opportunity to race with the two groups at
the “Key West World Championships”, November
14 – 21, 2004 in Key West, Florida.
The Conch Republic Offshore Powerboat Racing
Association (CROPBRA) is the organizer of the event in
Key West. CROPBRA was granted funding from the
Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC) in
March, with the expectation that all of the three
offshore bodies could race together for one World
Championship.
“After
ten years the sport has finally come back together, to
stage a true World Championship Race, in Key West.
I am looking forward to work with both OSS and APBA to
have a successful and safe race as we did back in
1994”, said John Carbonell, President of SBIP.
“The
OSS race teams love the idea of racing with the
competitors from other circuits for a united World
Championship event”, said Elaine Motl, Chief Executive
Office of OSS. “With Key West’s history, it is
the place to be for the Worlds and we are thrilled with
the involvement of SBIP and APBA racers”.
“As a
racer I had the privilege of competing in the 1994 event
in Key West and it was great. John Carbonell of
SBIP and I have been working together over the last
several months and have already completed one successful
joint event and have several scheduled prior to the
World Championships in Key West. We are looking
forward to doing something positive within the Sport of
Offshore Racing with SBIP and OSS”, said Bob Bull,
racer of CMS Mechanical and President of APBA Offshore.
For
more information check out the following web sites:
SBIP
– www.superboat.com
OSS – www.offshoresuperseries.com
APBA - www.apbaoffshoreracing.com
OSS is
a not for profit organization dedicated to the further
development and growth of offshore powerboat racing in
North America. For more information or to view
race results, check out: www.offshoresuperseries.com.
|
OSS
Top
Race Teams to Defend Ranks in St. Petersburg
|
|
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, June 23, 2004
When the yellow flag drops and the green flag goes up in St.
Petersburg, OSS Cat, Popeye (#84), OSS Cat Lite, Team CRC
(#7), OSS Vee, Adrenaline (#18) and OSS Vee Lite, Wild
Card (#4) will charge across the waves to defend their current
first place standings at the Offshore Super Series Powerboat
Racing Association (OSS) race to be held June 25-27.
Results from the Smokin the Sound offshore race in Biloxi,
Miss., will have Pro Marine (#12), who placed second, and
Reliable Carriers (#20), third place finisher, chasing Popeye
in the OSS Cat race. In Biloxi, fans watched Popeye lead
the speed that averaged 101.218 mph in the OSS Cat
competition.
”It was a very satisfying win. It was our first
victory in that boat, and we’d been working on it for about
a year and a half,” said Dominic Visconsi, Jr., owner and
driver of the Popeye race team. “I think the OSS did a
great job of putting the race on. It was an honor to be
on of the winners at the inaugural race.”
Looking to the race in St. Petersburg, Visconsi says he thinks
it will be a much closer race. “We’re looking forward to
some very stiff competition as well as getting back together
with friends and fellow racers,” said Visconsi.
In the OSS Cat Lite category where Team CRC took first, In
Motion (#11) and David Brian Jewelers (#27), who placed second
and third respectively, will want to give it a go for the
checkered flag. Speeds in the OSS Cat Lite race averaged
98.92 mph at Smokin the Sound.
Owner and driver for Team CRC is Mike DeFrees, who described
his win as a wonderful surprise. “Our boat was
straight out-of-the-box really, with just enough time to
complete the painting and not much time for testing before
entering the race,” DeFrees said. “There was no
measuring up since it was the first
national race, but the competition was outstanding and OSS
did great.”
With the first race behind them, Team CRC is gearing up to
hold on the top spot when teams convene in St. Petersburg this
week. He said each team now will have an idea of what to
expect from the other teams.
”We’re definitely going to St. Petersburg, and we know it
will be even more competitive,” said DeFrees.
“We’re going to try our best, review all details and try
to get the right set up. We’ll be on our toes.”
Completing the top three finishes in the OSS Vee were Switch
(#99) and Lucas Oil (#7), who will try to better their second
and third place standings. Adrenaline led the teams who
accelerated to an average of 87.85 mph in their Biloxi race.
Reacting to his win in Biloxi, Adrenaline Racing owner and
driver Ken Bowen said: “It felt great! We had
some of the strongest competition in the country, and it felt
great to compete again with that level of racers. Were looking
forward to competing against the toughest competition
around.”
Bowen went on to say that St. Petersburg is an outstanding
venue not only for racing but for its accommodations and pits
location. “The ability to view the race from the pits
is excellent,” Bowen said.
IMCO (#47), who finished second, and Hocus Pocus (#52), who
took third place, will be after Wild Card, the team that led
the pack at an average of 78.196 mph in the OSS Vee Lite
competition.
Enthusiastic about his experience as the first OSS race in
Biloxi, Wildcard owner and driver William Ros provided
accolades for the OSS. “It was great to race at the
first-ever OSS race! OSS is the best of offshore out
there and will be the best of the future,” Ros said.
Wildcard will race in St. Petersburg, and if the teams owner
has anything to do with it, hell draw from the fun, wild part
of his team’s name at as many gatherings as possible.
”Everything was so well organized,” Ros said.
“We’ll just be looking for more parties! Everyone
has done an outstanding job, and we’ll be looking forward to
a great time!”
OSS is a not for profit organization dedicated to the further
development and growth of offshore powerboat racing in North
America. For more information or to view race results,
check out: www.offshoresuperseries.com.
|
|
|
St.
Petersburg Finalizes OSS Race Plans for June 24-27
|
|
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, June 22, 2004
As the top race boats in the
country make their way across country to St. Petersburg, Florida
final preparations are under way by the local committee who have
been working hard over the last few months to put on the second race
of the OSS 2004 Tour.
“We welcome everyone to St. Petersburg, June 24-27 to experience
Offshore Super Series powerboat racing at its finest while making it
possible for all of us to help fund some deserving organizations in
our community,” said Randy Hegwood, Race Director.
Beneficiaries include Friendship Trail Tampa Bay, Everyone's Youth
United, Police Athletic Activities League, Doorways Scholarship
Program, Pinellas County Schools and Pinellas Education Foundation.
“With the downtown hotels sold out, we’re anticipating a huge
crowd,” said Hegwood. “We can now devote all our time to
finalizing details for the schedule of events to host the OSS race
teams, race fans and all involved in bringing the weekend
festivities together.”
The 2004 St. Petersburg OSS Boat Race is being cosponsored by The
City of St. Petersburg, The St. Petersburg Pier, Capt. Al’s, Cha
Cha Coconuts, Columbia Restaurant, and Fresco’s Bar & Grille.
St. Petersburg Offshore Super Series, Inc. is a non profit
organization consisting of local businessmen & local powerboat
racers with the intent to bring a professional well organized race
event benefiting local charities to the St. Petersburg area. For
more information or to review a Schedule of Events visit the St.
Petersburg OSS online at:
www.stpetersburgoss.org or call Race Headquarters at
727-896-RACE. www.offshoresuperseries.com
.
 |
OSS
Confirms St. Petersburg Race
|
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, April 6, 2004
The Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association (OSS) announces
another race that will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida on June 25-27,
2004.
The St. Petersburg event will mark the third announcement of seven races
planned for the 2004 OSS circuit. Hosted by the St. Petersburg
Offshore Super Series, Inc., a non profit organization, the race event
will benefit local charities. Proceeds from the St. Petersburg race
will go to Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) and Friendship Trail.
Potential beneficiaries include PARC and Doorways Scholarship Program.
"We enjoy bringing the community together for an offshore racing
event, and we appreciate the support everyone provides for some worthwhile
causes," said Todd Werner, Race Producer, who also owns and races
with the Flowmaster powerboat racing team.
Werners passion for offshore racing and community involvement has been
recognized in his 18 years of award-winning business and organizational
leadership. He has lived in the St. Petersburg area for 30 years, and he
owns Sure-Feed Engineering, Inc., Pro Marine, Inc., TCW Investments, Inc.,
Pro Toyz, Inc., Sure-Tek, Inc. In addition, he owns the Flowmaster
team which races in the OSS Cat category.
Werner has hired Bob Kersteen, as Executive Director, Randy Hegwood as
Race Director, and Michelle Simoneau as Marketing Director. All
three have local knowledge and experience with powerboat racing.
"St. Petersburg is a wonderful city with an excellent event
site," said Elaine Motl, Chief Executive Officer of OSS. "We
appreciate Todd Werner stepping up to make this a successful event for OSS."
OSS is a not for profit organization dedicated to the further development
and growth of offshore powerboat racing in North America. For more
information, check out: www.offshoresuperseries.com.
|
|
|
Offshore Racers Form New
Powerboat Racing Association!!
|
|
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday , December, 19, 2003
A
group of offshore race boat owners today announced the formation of The
Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association, a not for profit
organization dedicated to the development and growth of offshore powerboat
racing. The founding organization includes representation from SuperCat,
SuperCat Lite, Super Vee, and Super Vee Lite. The objectives of the
association are to further the image and professionalism of offshore
racing and to provide quality venues in which spectators, sponsors,
producers and the membership can all benefit through the growth of this
emerging sport.
Powerboat
racing has long been recognized as a beneficial advertising medium for
sponsors and provides a significant economic impact for the waterfront
business communities which host the events. In 2004, the Offshore Super
Series Powerboat Racing Association plans to race a seven city tour, the
details of which will be announced shortly.
Currently
approximately thirty teams in the above categories have committed to
racing in the new organization. Membership in the association consists of
both boat owners and crew members.
The
organization expects to make further organizational announcements in the
next few days.
|
Mercury Racing Announces 2001 APBA
Offshore Factory Awards
By Rick Mackie
01/29/2002
Russell J. Burke Memorial Trophies awarded to High Points Champions
$50,000 Contingency Prize Purse Distributed
Fond du Lac, WI - Mercury Racing is pleased to announce the 2001 Mercury
Racing American Power Boat Association (APBA) Offshore Factory, Super Cat Light
Inboard and Super Cat Light Outboard Class Contingency Purse winners. The
$50,000 prize purse is awarded to the top five Factory 1, Factory 2 and Super
Cat Light Inboard and top two Super Cat Light Outboard place finishers. The top
five Factory/Super Cat Light Inboard and top two Super Cat Light Outboard
positions are calculated based on the cumulative total of a raceboat's points
for the racing year in the National Factory Pro-Series per the Mercury Racing
contingency program guidelines.
APBA Factory Pro-Series Offshore High Points National and World Champions are
awarded the Russell J. Burke Memorial trophy. First introduced in 1998, the
family of four perpetual traveling trophies honor the late Russ Burke, a Field
Project Engineer for Mercury Marine, who was killed in a car accident in 1997.
Russ was very close to all involved in sport boating and was a great proponent
of APBA Factory offshore racing. The historical trophies, taken out of the
Kiekhaefer Mercury archives, were first awarded to Mercury racers in the 1970s.
The Russell J. Burke Memorial trophies are based on the total of a raceboat’s
points accumulated in the National APBA Factory Pro Series during the race
season and at the APBA Offshore World Championships.
| Class |
Team |
Winner |
| Factory 1 |
Chesapeake Inn |
B.J. Maher |
| Factory 2 |
Team Virgin |
Todd Klindworth |
| Super Cat Light
Inboard |
Team Tellium |
John Kiely |
| Super
Cat Light Outboard |
Flow
Master |
Todd
Werner |
| 2001 Mercury
Racing APBA Offshore Contingency Purse Winners |
| Factory 1 |
Winner |
| 1st
Place |
Chesapeake Inn |
BJ Maher |
| 2nd
Place |
Twisted Chyx |
Theresa Eubanks |
| 3rd
Place |
Team Boathouse |
Angelo
Buffomante |
| 4th
Place |
Purple Haze
Racing |
Ron Latawie |
| 5th
Place |
Viper Marine |
Curt Watkins |
| Factory 2 |
|
| 1st
Place |
Team Virgin |
Todd Klindworth |
| 2nd
Place |
Utz Quality
Foods |
Pier 57 Boat
Sales & Service |
| 3rd
Place |
Twisted Styx |
Robert Eubanks |
| 4th
Place |
Lets Play
Racing |
Darian/Kevin
Hatcher |
| 5th
Place |
Snap On Talk N
Tools |
Brian Ross |
| Super Cat Light
Inboard |
|
| 1st
Place |
Team Tellium |
Kiely
Motorsports |
| 2nd
Place |
How Sweet It Is |
John Petersen |
| 3rd
Place |
Zipp Express |
Daniel Francis |
| 4th
Place |
Peppers |
George
Stancombe |
| 5th
Place |
Team Yahoo |
Curtis Morris |
| Super Cat Light
Outboard |
|
| 1st
Place |
Flow
Master |
Todd
Werner |
| 2nd
Place |
Snakeman Racing |
John Robinson |
|
