Breaking: Controversy Erupts Between APBA And OPA

The first event of the 2023 Offshore Powerboat Association season, LOTO Powerfest will not be sanctioned by the American Powerboat Association, https://www.speedonthewater.com/brea...-apba-and-opa/

Yep, it's been coming for a long time. It is really too bad.

It happens every time .

apba is nothing more than a paycheck to administraters who do nothing

they probly still use that relic of theirs to run kilo.s.

you have to see that thing in action to believe it.

apba has had to severe ties with all its parters.

i joined apba in 1999 i got a blue card posing as a racing license and two propellor magazines . for my $300.00 donation lol.

apba is good for the small lake clubs.

opa is fine on its own

Like eleven people in the world care. Sadly.

I had great hopes for the unification of Offshore this year. The growth was tremendous, everyone was working together, and improvements were being made. I remember working with Mark Wheeler to get Offshore back into the APBA fold. Every since that happened, things were getting better. Then, egos got in the way. Rule books were not followed by those in charge of the rule books and the fallout continues.

Hopefully it gets fixed quickly.

As for what was in APBA, I believe they have made strides to improve. The current President is a racer in F2 tunnels and understands some things need to be improved. A lot of racers are hoping he makes those tough adjustments.

There are a lot of pissed off people in the sport. Frrom the main organizers, to racers and team owners, to race boat builders.

Really sad.

Getting more testy.....

To: All APBA Offshore members

It has once again come to my attention that there is misinformation and grossly incorrect statements being made about APBA and our Offshore chair. I am now officially out of patience. This behavior has been tolerated far too long. And this is a continuing problem, seemingly originating from the same source.

Therefore, as of the date of this letter, and under the provisions of APBA bylaws 15.1 and 5.5.2, I am terminating OPA’s ability to sanction events with APBA.

The statement, “APBA is difficult to work with” is massively inaccurate. The historically prevailing theme is that if an entity wants to work with APBA, they must show up at our meetings. Every APBA member is encouraged to attend our annual, national meeting. It is at this meeting where APBA does the majority of our business. We welcome participation at this meeting.

Due to the negative information spread by OPA and their lack of willingness to participate in any way, shape or form, I am forced into taking this action.

If anyone included in this communication has any questions, please feel free to contact me directly or Rich Luhrs.

It is my hope we all share the same agenda — to grow our Offshore category. But to do this, we need consistent officiating, consistent rescue, consistent interpretation of a common rule book, and most of all, positive business practices which promote Offshore racing.

Thank you for your time and please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Chris Fairchild

President, American Power Boat Association

:lurk5:

OPA = we quit

APBA nuh uh Youre fired


LOL

That's funny.

It is bad for the sport's growth though, anyway you look at it.

I'm sure hoping they get this straightened out quickly.

But I sure doubt that will happen.

They've just appointed Kamala Harris as Boat Racing Czar......:grouphug:

AGREED FUNNY IT ISNT . STUPID IS THE WORD

20 years ago after sveral org,s came and went ,we actually saw growth , the LLC of mike and steve .

bruised ego,s in the supercat class started a racer run org.which started falling apart on day one.

since then it has been repeat infinite.

OPA has survived along the way .but they are only a small club ,always will be.(good one tho )

class one will not grow as long as run themselves.

someone has to make money off the product or there is no initiative to work and make it grow.