• OSS Racing Looks to Redefine the Future

    by SeriousOffshore



    SeriousOffshore Publisher Paul Rose recently caught up with John Brunner, Director of Operations at Offshore Super Series, better known as OSS Racing. Paul talked with John about OSS history, the economy’s effect on racing and what the future holds for the organization.

    Paul-
    OSS was originally assembled by race team owners as a “co -op”, with the idea of those that owned the show being in charge of the show. Who is OSS today?
    John-
    In the beginning, OSS was formed by a group of racers that were unhappy with the then-current administration that was operating as APBA Offshore. After the 2003 APBA Worlds in Orange Beach, AL. this group came together in Key West and became the founding members of OSS. The original concept was a racers organization run for and by the racers. There was a large Board of Directors with several members from each class. That Board reached out to different racing, safety, boating and other professionals for guidance as to how this new association should be organized. I think this is when everyone realized that this new organization had more of a family feeling rather than just a racing association. At the time this seemed to be the correct and only way to start OSS. But as time went on, issues that have always plagued the sport of offshore started appearing.
    In an effort to correct some of these issues and get a larger perspective, the Board and membership voted to amend our bylaws and individuals from outside racing were invited to join the Board. Today, we still think of OSS as a racers organization and strive to make our sites and the races fun and safe for the teams and fans. We currently have 3 racing members sitting on the 5 person Board. Another change, as a result of this new realignment of the OSS management, the Board decided not to hire another employee to run the day-to-day business of the organization. With direction from the Board, I now handle the daily operations and have since since late 2009, I have been a part of OSS since it’s beginning. My ultimate goal is for OSS to be the best offshore club and to accomplish that as the sanctioned offshore organization of APBA.
    Paul-
    What caused the drop-off of event sites in the last few years?
    John-
    In a word, MONEY. It was three years ago when our first sign was the loss Mercury Racing’s on-site support. The reality of the challenges confronting us presented itself when we experienced the loss of four recurring race sites. All offered the same reason- a loss of funding. In order to put on a race weekend, the venue’s local organizer needs to raise money to bring the event to town. This is typically done by seeking sponsorship dollars from local businesses along with various county and state agencies. Those funds are just not in their budgets like they used to be.
    The same was happening to some of our teams. Most of the teams are self-funded, with the team owner supporting their racing with money from their own pockets. Unfortunately, the marine industry does not support offshore racing as other forms of motor sports are supported from their respective manufacturers. As the economy tightened, so did the team owner’s ability to fund their racing operations. Starting with the 2010 season, OSS cut the cost of racing to both the sites and the teams by up to 50%. But the damage was already done. It is only recently that some of these sites are starting to find funding available again. So we wait, start to grow and rebuild.


    Paul-
    What’s the background behind the decision to recreate Biloxi into a destination event?
    John-
    That has always been the goal for Biloxi Producers. Biloxi was our inaugural race in 2004 and aside from the 2006 Hurricane Katrina incident, has been an annual site for us ever since. The Biloxi Race Producers have great vision and enjoy fantastic support from their local businesses, cities, county and the state of Mississippi. They all recognize the revenues the Biloxi offshore race brings in to the local economy. Those revenues top 10 Million dollars. They find a way to “get ‘er done”… something I wish other communities would consider when they are asked for funding for a race.
    With the average race weekend typically bringing in 5-plus million dollars to the host community, it would seem like a no-brainer. The Biloxi race producers want to make the Smokin’ race a week-long event by adding more and more on-water events for people to see and do. So far they have our offshore race, DSRA Drag Boat racing, a poker run and this year they have the APBA sanctioned kilo run. They would like to grow the event to draw folks to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for a fun-filled, exciting 10 day, nonstop waterfest.


    Running side-by-side at Biloxi


    Paul-
    After a few tough years, it looks like OSS is doing some aggressive things.
    John-
    Indeed, OSS is taking an unprecedented aggressive approach for the 2012 season. No hull registration fee and OSS membership is only $10.00. Our race entry fee of only $1,500 is also “loyalty-discounted” up to 50% for active members from 2010 & 2011. With the help of the Biloxi Race Producers, we are offering a $50,000 purse and $30,000 in tow money for the first 30 teams registered for OSS racing at Smokin’ the Sound, April 26-29, 2012. We hope to encourage previous members and newcomers alike to share in the camaraderie and commitment to safety that has become the benchmark of the OSS family.
    Paul-
    Is the plan to rebuild a year-long offshore circuit or are you going to focus on “destination events” such as the upcoming Biloxi event?
    John-
    Actually, in a perfect world, I would like to see both happen; destination events making up a 6 – 8 annual race schedule. The more you can give people to do over a race weekend, the more attendance the event will have and the Local Producers will have an easier time getting their needed sponsorship.
    In our next installment, John will bring us up to speed on the upcoming Biloxi event and introduce us to Woody Bailey, the man behind Biloxi.

    To learn more about OSS, to attend, participate or sponsor an event, you can contact John Brunner at jbrunner@offshoresuperseries.com