• OSS Visits Biloxi- Smokin The Sound 2012

    by SeriousOffshore



    In our second installment on OSS Racing, Publisher Paul Rose talks with Biloxi race site promoter Woody Bailey about the race, the events and the biggest purse in offshore in this century.

    Paul-
    Woody, you’ve got quite a bit invested in the upcoming Biloxi OSS event. It looks to be your biggest effort yet. What all do you have planned?
    Woody-
    We are very excited about Smokin’ The Sound this year. The tow money , increased purse and APBA-UIM sanctioned Kilo Run should make for an exciting weekend. We are also working with Stu Jones and the Florida Powerboat Club on our STS Poker Run which will be held on Saturday during the event. We have a unique, up-close race course that provides the teams with some challenging racing and the fans with a great view of the action.

    Paul-
    The tow money and purse are definite draws for the race teams. What were you able to put together to entice them to the Biloxi race?
    Woody-
    The $80,000 payout is the largest purse in offshore anywhere for many years. That includes $30,000 guaranteed tow money divided among to the first 30 boats registered, and $50,000 in prize money paid out at the end of the event. Again, paid out at the conclusion of the event.

    Paul-
    It must be a huge task to put on the race plus add in all the other events. It must be a “team effort”.
    Woody-
    We have been working closely with our state, county and city as well as a large base of local businesses to put this event together. We are in our 8th year of putting on this event. We definitely know how to roll out the red carpet red carpet out for some great southern hospitality, for both the fans and the race teams.


    The Hard Rock Hotel

    Paul-
    Aside from the offshore race, what else can the fans and teams expect?
    Woody-
    We have a full slate of night time activities planned at Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, The Palace and the Isle, stretching from Thursday through Sunday. Our fan base runs along the northern Gulf of Mexico from New Orleans to Panama City, including Orange Beach, AL and Destin, FL. All these cities have hosted offshore races in the past and have fans that will be in Biloxi for the races. We welcome back those teams that have raced here before and look forward to seeing some new teams at our site.
    Add to that the drag boats, the poker run, the APBA-sanctioned Kilo run, an appearance by the Powerboat P-1 boats, and a demonstration of the most extreme performance boat ever built, the Copeland Phenomenon, I think we have something for everyone.

    Paul-
    There have also been some other “incentives” offered to make it easier for teams to make this race. What were you able to work out with OSS?
    Woody-
    The APBA-OSS entry fees have been restructured and it should be very attractive to race at Smokin’ The Sound this year. This year we are also looking forward to the P-1 class racing with us.

    Paul-
    What is your interest and involvement in promoting this event?
    Woody-
    I got involved in offshore racing in 1997 when Biloxi and our hotel helped host the APBA Offshore Worlds. We had the event again in 1998,but it moved to Florida the following year. We tried to get offshore racing back to our area, however, we were not successful until 2004. In 2003 we heard about the possible formation of OSS from our friend, Steve Page. We were able to secure their inaugural race and have been their first race of the season each year except for 2006 due to Hurricane Katrina.


    "Smokin' The Sound" at Biloxi

    Paul-
    When we spoke with John Brunner at OSS, we got the impression that they were looking beyond a “day of racing” and building a series of what might be termed destination events. Biloxi appears to be their prototype. What makes this more than just a race?
    Woody-
    Our goal is to have multiple activities that appeal to spectators, participants and hopefully blending those two groups together. Pleasure boaters can come watch the races and then run themselves in the poker run. The offshore competitors can catch a few drag races and those guys can hit the Kilo run.. Our plans are to continue to grow Smokin’ The Sound. We added Smokin’ The Lake four years ago, which is a Deep South Racing Assoc. (DSRA) sanctioned outboard drag boat race event. Our Poker Run started in 2005, but has just now started growing since our Katrina experience. We continue to look at other classes of racing that will compliment what we are doing now. We appreciate the support of our race teams and look forward to many more years of racing on our Gulf Coast.

    For more information, visit http://www.offshoresuperseries.com