RACERS RESOURCES

OSS ANNOUNCES RULE MODIFICATION FOR 2012

The Board of Directors has approved the following rule changes for the 2012 season. These have been sent to APBA also and we are recommending that they adopt these changes also. This will be discussed and confirmed during the APBA Meeting later this month in Chicago.

Super Cat Lite - Page 105

New Rule:

13. Approved Drive Ratio - Super Cat Lites using the Mercury Racing Dry Sump SSM VI drives shall be allowed to use any standard or split gear ratio offered by Mercury Racing specifically manufactured for the Dry Sump SSM VI as long as the final drive ratio does not exceed 1.69:1.

Super Vee Lite is still trying to come up with changes to class tech rules. As of this date, no solid draft has been presented. I am positive changes will be forthcoming as Randy Schleuss and Jim Simmons are working very hard to come up with something a majority of the SVL owners can agree on.

OSS OFFSHORE EVENT SAFETY RULES

Changes are noted in Red: Reason is Obvious

RULE 2 - REQUIRED SAFETY FACILITIES

A. In General –It shall be the Race Producer’s responsibility to perform all safety functions and secure all necessary safety facilities in accordance with these rules and the Sanction Agreement.

B. Requirements - Each Race Producer shall be required to provide the following:

1. Safety Check-off Sheet - Complete and return the APBA Offshore Pre-Race Safety Check-off Sheet to the Chair of the APBA ORC 30 days prior to the event.

2. Required Personnel -

a. Race Medical Director – An emergency medical technician (EMT), or local equivalent, shall serve as the Race Medical Director. (Note: This is a minimum standard.)

b. Emergency Rescue Personnel - A minimum of 8 (eight) certified underwater dive/rescue personnel, experienced and trained in extrication of competitors from race boats, appropriately equipped for course placement at the direction of the event chief referee.

c. Emergency Medical Personnel - A minimum of six (6) EMT’s and/or RN’s and/or Paramedics assigned for the Pre-Race Morning Physicals. All personnel are required to report to the posted location 30 minutes prior to the posted time of the physicals.

3. Required Facilities -

a. Ambulances - A minimum of (2) properly staffed and equipped State Licensed Advanced Life Support (A.L.S.) ambulances for transporting injured APBA racers/crew to a designated hospital/trauma center. The exact number of ALS ambulances to be determined by the Medical and Safety Director in concert with the local race physician and local EMS.

b. Helicopters – A minimum of one (1) helicopter for Medical Rescue shall be required at all APBA sanctioned offshore races with race courses of 6 statute miles or less. Two (2) helicopters shall be required for courses in excess of 6 statute miles. Helicopter(s) is/are to be staffed by the Medical and Safety Director or his appointee and two (2) properly equipped and experienced paramedic rescue divers experienced in helicopter jumps/rescue. Note: Helicopters are for APBA official use only and may not be used for any type of media, photography or VIP rides.

b. Medical Rescue Boats - A minimum of six (6) Medical/Rescue boats on the racecourse at all times or more if conditions warrant as determined by the Medical and Safety Director, 4 of which are A.L.S. equipped and staffed . The true number of Medical Rescue Boats required at each race site shall be determined by drawing thirty (30) second response circles on the course map. No segment of the course shall be more that 30 seconds away by medical and rescue boat. Final approval shall be determined by the Chief Medical and Safety Director. Two thirds (2/3) of the required number of medical rescue boats must be ALS staffed and equipped.

c. Patrol and Tow Boats – A minimum of ten (10) Patrol and Tow boats on the racecourse at all times or more if conditions warrant as determined by the APBA Offshore Chief Medical and Safety Director.

d. Hospital - An assigned trauma receiving hospital duly notified and equipped.

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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 Seasonto 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.

The OSS is a not for profit association dedicated to the advancement of the further development and growth of offshore powerboat racing in North America.

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

For Immediate Release

November 08, 2011 Euless, Texas

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."

Michael E. Mares
Offshore Super Series
Forever 24 and Forever 100

Photo Credit: Freeze Frame, Jeff Girardi

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Special Thanks for Photos to Freeze Frame Video, Jamie Russell Offshore Photography, Bobby McDuffy (XtremePhotoFX.com), Pete Boden and James Eaton / Eaton Photos. Galleries for these fine photographers coming soon.

Video Section to include new video material. Did you take video at an OSS Event? Submit it to OSS INTERACTIVE DEPARTMENT for consideration for it to be linked to our site.

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