KEY WEST, FL  - January 21, 2005 -  Offshore Powerboat Racing in the United States of America becomes United after 15 Years. The two Nationally recognized sanctioning bodies in the US that conduct Offshore Powerboat Racing; Superboat International Productions, Inc and APBA Offshore Racing Association, Inc. have announced their plan to combine their resources and promote the sport of Offshore Powerboat Racing together with the support of the 101 year old International Authority of the UIM American Powerboat Racing Association, Inc located in Detroit.
“John Carbonell and I have been working together during the off season to try and develop a win-win program for the SBI and APBA Racers for the 2005 racing season and beyond,” Said Bob Bull Chairman of APBA Offshore Racing Association, Inc.
The New organization “World Powerboat Racing, Inc.” (WPR) by unanimous decision of the Board has been issued a 10 year licensing agreement from the American Powerboat Racing Association, Inc. to conduct and operate Offshore racing events in the United States. WPR will contract SBIP to conduct and manage all National and Divisional events. “This is the right move for Offshore, the resources of all 3 organizations will allow the sport the opportunity to move forward in the future, stated Steve Hearn, President of APBA
The new licensing agreement incorporates the Class Representative structure within both organizations, which promotes racing membership input. The current SBI and APBA Class Representatives will work together with the UIM Offshore Commissioner to manage and develop the rulebook.  New to both Organizations will be the development of the Board of Governors to oversee and support the entire process.
The staff within both Organizations has been retained and will work together in the development of the sport. “The long term race site development and television program of the SBIP organization combined with the 101 year old sanctioning body infrastructure of APBA is a step in the right direction,” said Jim Poplin.
The SBIP rulebook has been amended to incorporate the SBIP & APBA technical rules so that all of the classes will be racing under one set of rules.   “Each group of registered equipment owners in each class will be allowed the opportunity to work together with the Class Representatives to develop their class”, said John Carbonell “This will afford the racer to participate in their future”.
This is a positive move in the right direction for Offshore Powerboat Racing. John and Bob have worked to develop a program that has gained the support of the major players in the Sport. Reggie Fountain, Bill Spottswood, Steven David, Kevin Brown, Steve Hern, Jim Poplin, and the entire staff in both organizations as well as many others have finally joined forces for the betterment of the sport.
Over the next few weeks Jim Poplin and John Carbonell will be working together to combine both of the organizations 2005 racing schedules as well as other locations to be added and develop a National and Divisional schedule for all of our race teams.
For more information plan on attending the Annual APBA Meeting being held in Atlanta, Ga. on January 27th through the 29th. Or go to www.apbaoffshoreracing.com, http://www.superboat.com/index.html, or http://www.apba-racing.com/Events.php.