Powerboat Racing

Has APBA gone the way of the Democratic party and forgotten its core base

With the rebirth of IOGP and similar non APBA sanctioning bodies on the rise has the ABPA forgotten its core base. As the NASF, USTS, NBRA and other sanctioning bodies flourish what will this mean for the old guard. Are we witnessing a movement that will continue to grow and lure away more venues that were once considered APBA strong holds.

Tracey Hawkins during his victory lap at the inaugural IOGP Manzanillo Grand Prix. Formula One driver and sports commentator Jorge Javier Koechlin Von Stein and CEO of ProNaútica and President of the F1 Champ Boat Series for Mexico, Ernesto Rodríguez Godínez agreed that “this is a pioneering event that marks history for Mexico and To Manzanillo “.

Its been a few years now since the US Title Series pulled away from the APBA fold and the series has never looked back and appears to be doing just fine since its departure. Given the fact that many series have followed in the footsteps of the USTS and have proven that yes they are able to go it alone one has to wonder will this trend continue to spread across other series and what will the exodus mean for the one time king of all US based powerboat racing. 
A very interesting space to watch in the coming season is the recent announcement that the HRL series is looking to sign one of the sanctioning bodies oldest sites converting it over to an HRL event after nearly 100 years of flying the APBA banner. If the historic Cambridge Classic does indeed sign on with the HRL what will this signal to other venues, will the trend continue? Have we seen the peak of what was the one time king of all powerboat racing sanctioning bodies start to lose its hold in what were long-standing relationships across the country? Stay tuned as this will surely be an interesting space to watch in 2017

Gulfport Grand Prix, LLC. is producing the first annual Gulfport Grand Prix featuring Formula Powerboat Racing and a Boat Show. In cooperation with the City of Gulfport, the downtown area will be transformed into a mecca of activity along Shore Boulevard between 58th Street South and 54th Street South. Formula Boats with an open public pit area will make the Gulfport Recreation Center home for the weekend, along with the Antique boat show as well as the Pleasure Boat Display along Shore Blvd. S. Vendor booths lining Beach Blvd. S. will serve as the main entrance and parking shuttle drop off area for the free to the public event.

Sanctioned by the NASF (North American Speedboat Federation) and conducted by S,P.O.R.T. (Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour)


http://hydroracerlive.kinja.com/matt-palfreyman-has-now-lifted-the-covers-off-his-120-m-1790841904?rev=1483886175642


http://hydroracerlive.kinja.com/matt-palfreyman-has-now-lifted-the-covers-off-his-120-m-1790841904?rev=1483886175642

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