SMOKIN' THE SOUND THRILLS FANS AT THE OFFSHORE SUPER SERIES HOMETOWN RACES!
Smokin' the Sound (STS) Race Producers Woody Bailey, Rusty David and Asher Travis welcomed the Offshore Super Series (OSS) and other American Power Boat Association (APBA) teams back home to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for an incredible weekend of APBA sanctioned racing with friends and families. The weather was perfect for setting up the three race courses that challenged contenders to go for the win. The Powerboat P1 USA (P1) heats started on Saturday, April 28 and wrapped up on Sunday with a total of four heats. OSS/APBA Chief Starter Jim Koert and course set up crews spent the early morning hours making sure the P1, OSS and Kilo Run courses were dialed in for safe and competitive racing. Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) and APBA Time Trial Representative, Fred Hauenstein coordinated the officially sanctioned Kilo Run. The results are being confirmed and will be released soon. There were possibly seven new world records achieved during the Kilos.
ABPA Executive Director Dan Wiener and Communications Director Ryan Berlin were on site to greet the crews. Wiener said, "The weekend went off without a hitch. The event was run professionally and safely with the fans in Biloxi getting two great days of racing. The APBA is looking forward to more successful races like STS and other locations on the Gulf Coast".
It was a tight schedule with testing, P1 racing and the Kilo Run on Saturday. Blue skies greeted fans as the races started on Sunday. The hotels, casinos, restaurants and other area businesses saw the positive economic impact that this incredible event brings to the area.
The coveted Annual Randy Linebach Lighthouse Award for team sportsmanship was presented by "Forever 24" family members to Kyler Talbot of Talbot Excavating at the Sunday awards ceremony.
OSS/APBA Chief Referee Mike Tomlinson has released the results:
PX: Jack's: Jeff McCann and Jason Morton
Pro AM 4:
1st: Simmon's Racing, Gene Palumbo and Kyle Dietzen
2nd: Dare Devil Racing; Scott Rutherford and Graham Howes
3rd: Team Unleashed: Shannon Simon and Vincent Simon
Pro AM 5:
Pier 57; Eric Treadwell and Jason Rosech
Super Vee Lite:
1st Pirate Racing; David and Travis Denham
2nd: Buccaneer Pawn; William Ros and Larry Fontecha
3rd: Typhoon Racing; Randy Schleuss and Louis Giancontieri
Cat Lite:
1st Stihl; Robert Noble Jr. and Grant Bruggermann
2nd: Peppers; George and Michael Stancombe
Super Stock:
1st DuceRods.com; Rob Numzieto and Dan Lawrence
2nd: Talbot Excavating; Kyler Talbot and Jay Muller
3rd: Mary Mahoney-Fluid Sealing Products.com; Ryan Beckley and Ryan Slater
P1;
1st Livorsi,
2nd Pier 57
3rd MYCO
Click Here to Download the Full Results PDF
Smokin’ $50,000.00 Purse and Tow Incentives
Smokin’ the Sound (STS) Race Producer, Woody Bailey, announced that STS 2012 will feature a $50,000.00 purse and will offer a tow incentive of $1,000.00 to each of the first thirty teams that sign up for OSS / APBA National Class Races. “This makes the purse twenty five percent higher than the last couple of years and the tow monies come just in time to make it easier for more boats to come to
2012 Smokin the Sound
The Offshore Super Series (OSS) will kick off its season in Biloxi MS. onthe weekend of April 27-29, 2012. Smokin’ the Sound (STS) is the first announced race on the OSS 2012 schedule. This year, the STS Race Producers are looking into hosting an American Power Boat Association (APBA)) sanctioned Kilo Run. This would be the first Offshore Division Certified Kilo in almost a decade. The APBA is recognized by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the international governing body of power boating, making winners eligible to hold a true world record in their class if they break the current class speed. The Kilo would be open to any and all offshore teams that wish to compete.
The STS Poker Run will also return this year with some new additions. Currently, the Race Producers are hoping to be able to open up the Kilo Run to the poker runners. All that complete the run would get an APBA Certificate of Speed. Details are still in the planning stage and will be announced later in the year.
The OSS Board of Directors will be addressing the 2012 fee structure and any possible rule changes in the next couple of weeks. Also the rest of the 2012 season will be forthcoming soon. Please stay tuned, any changes or news
OSS to Dedicate 2012 Season to the Memory of Joey Gratton
Join Our Energy this Year - 2012 Race with Spirit – OSS
It is with honor the Offshore Super Series (OSS) National Staff and Board of Directors announce the dedication of their 2012 season to the memory of founding member, champion racer and friend, Joey Gratton. Joey was taken from us after a racing accident this past November in Key West.
In a unanimous decision, up to $1,000.00 from each of the race site proceeds will be donated to the memorial fund that has been established in Joey's name. The Joey Gratton Foundation was formed tohelp provide the opportunity and the means by which children can actively participate in an organized sport that values personal integrity, team and leadership skills, in a fun and healthy learning environment.
This is accomplished through donations of equipment and scholarships. Joey Gratton loved kids and loved sports, so what better way to celebrate his life than to create a foundation that links the two together. The Joey Gratton Foundation will focus on creating opportunity for those who may not have the chance. In a statement Priscilla Gratton, Joey’s wife said, “I must say this is a beautiful gesture to Joey. Brock, Blake and I are extremely proud and thankful for this honor to Joey. He is proud!”
For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.JoeyGratton.com.
Joey Gratton
It is with a heavy heart that I come to you today with the news that we have lost another friend and 
family member. Joey Gratton passed away shortly after 1:00 AM November 11, 2011 after the crash yesterday in Key West. Steve Page is still in the hospital recovering from injuries and was kept last night for observation.
Our condolences and sympathy goes out to Pricilla ,Blake & Brock and to the whole Page Racing Team. We wish Steve a speedy recovery and a healing heart to all of us that lost a loved family member.
Mike Mares
OSS
Tragic Loss In Key West
Veteran racer and owner of Big Thunder Marine boat, Robert (Bob) Morgan and his driver Jeffery (JT) Tillman lost their lives today after a violent accident at the SBI Key West Worlds. Their boat was coming into the harbor turn when the bow started to raise and flipped over landing upside down.
The OSS Board Chairman issued the following statement, "On behalf of the Teams, National Staff and Board of Directors of the Offshore Super Series, we would like to send our condolences to the families and crew of the Big Thunder Team, who lost Bob Morgan and Jeffery Tillman today in Key West. Both men will be missed and were true gentlemen and legends in the offshore fraternity. On a personal note, Bob's passing greatly distresses myself, Ruth, Dennis, Monica, Charlie and Leah as we raced with my brother-in-law, Randy Linebach, Bob and his wife Sue for 3 years under the Airborne/Big Thunder colors. Bob and Jeff will truly be missed."
Offshore Super Series
Forever 24 and Forever 100
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