Class 1 Team Owners Vote For APBA Governance
After two closed-door meetings at the Midwest Challenge last month in Sheboygan, Wis., the owners of the Class 1 Defalco, df Young/Good Boy Vodka, Monster Energy/M CON and XINSURANCE Class 1 teams voted unanimously to embrace the United States-based American Power Boat Association as its governing body rather than the Europe-based Union Internationale Motonautique. The UIM has governed Class 1 offshore powerboat racing since its beginnings.
But for now, that is at an end.
The current group of Class 1 team owners has voted for United States-based governance. Photos by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix
In addition, the Class 1 owners voted to include the Race World Offshore Clearwater Nationals, set for September 27-28 in Southwest Florida, as part of their 2024 World Championship Series.
The vote to move away from UIM and toward APBA is a major departure that is certain to stir strong reaction within UIM leadership. But it also is one that has been brewing since the Class 1 resurgence—under the impetus of offshore racing marketing/promotion entity Powerboat P1—began in 2018.
Spearhead by Powerboat P1, the Class 1 resurgence began in 2018.
Class 1 team owners were weary from “management from afar” for a series that is “entirely based in the United States,” as one owner said.
“The Class 1 teams banded together and voted that we are done with UIM,” he continued. “Racing in all stateside jurisdictions does not constitute the need for international committee and judgement. Run an APBA National Series, align with Super Cat, 450R Factory Stock and Super Stock to continue to grow the classes. Stop ‘segregating’ and losing boat count.
“APBA has accepted us,” he added. “Moving forward, we are APBA-governed and all points are accumulated through APBA.”
The Lakeland, Fla-headquartered organization issued the following statement on the development.
“We at APBA have heard and understand your mandate. Going forward APBA, will finish the season using the UIM P1 Class 1 rules as the standard and will also continue the points championship as if nothing has changed—meaning any points accrued by a team to this point will stay in place and all future points will be based on the current P1 Class 1 points system until the end of the 2024 season.
“It is APBA’s intent moving forward to have the APBA Offshore Racing Commission be your direct governing body while still adhering to APBA’s general racing and safety rules.”
Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Speedonthewater.com will provide updates as they become available.
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