Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
IHRA Terminates Nick Smith — Offshore Powerboat Role
The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced that Nick Smith, president of the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA), will no longer serve in his current role with the organization. Smith was brought into the IHRA’s “unification alignment” plan in late 2025 as part of a broader effort to consolidate offshore powerboat racing under IHRA governance, alongside PRO (Professional Racing Offshore) and Powerboat P1.Under the new arrangement, Smith was to work onsite at offshore races, supporting event logistics and ensuring consistent operational execution across sanctioned race sites.
However, IHRA has now confirmed that Smith’s position has been terminated. While the official statement does not detail the reasons for the termination, the move comes amid a period of leadership and operational changes at IHRA, which has been undergoing a rebuilding phase since early 2025. This includes multiple high-profile executive departures and restructuring of its drag racing programs.
The IHRA has not provided a public explanation for the specific circumstances of his departure, but the timing suggests it is linked to the evolving offshore program and leadership shakeups within the sanctioning body.
