Race World Offshore and Professional Racing Offshore Moving Forward Minus APBA
In a move that is certain to stir strong emotions and response from competitors and fans in the offshore powerboat racing community, Key West, Fla.-based Race World Offshore issued a press release at 7 p.m. EST this evening announcing the combined departure of itself as a race-producer, as well as that of the fellow producer Professional Racing Offshore, another race producer based at the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri, from its relationship with the American Power Boat Association, the sport’s longtime domestic sanctioning body.
The producer of the annual Key West World Championships, Race World Offshore has joined with fellow event producer Professional Racing Offshore in a decision to exit the American Power Boat Association sanctioning umbrella. Photo from the 2024 Key West Worlds by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
“Effective immediately, all PRO and RWO events will operate independently under newly developed, racer-focused rulesets aimed at fostering greater competition, consistency, and innovation within the sport,” the release stated.
Reached this evening, APBA president Chris Fairchild said the announcement was not unexpected.
“I have heard of the news,” he wrote in a text message. “It is not a surprise and APBA wishes them the best. APBA’s offshore schedule is still strong and given the news we are currently looking for a new location for the APBA/ UIM World Championships for all of APBA’s classes.
“Powerboat P1 will be producing the Class 1 UIM World Championship series,” he continued. “The remaining rounds will compile the APBA/ UIM Continental Championship. APBA has been the steady rock racers can always count on, and we will continue for decades to come. APBA is the oldest sanctioning body in the world and we intend to stay that way.”
The release included a new Pro Class 1 schedule for the 2025 season as follows:
• June 20-22—XINSURANCE Offshore, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.
• August 1-3—Michigan City Offshore Grand Prix, Michigan City, Ind.
• August 29-31—Chicago Offshore National.
• September 26-28—Clearwater Offshore Nationals, Clearwater, Fla.
• November 2-8—Key West World Championships, Key West, Fla.
Though were several contentious issues brewing in the pre-season that lead to this evening’s announcement, the debate around sanctioning control over and nomenclature for Pro Class 1, the self-named category that emerged after the team owners in the category decided last season to opt for APBA governance over that of the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique), was at the forefront.
Of the multiple spec-class owners group representative speedonthewater.com reached out to for comment, three—Randy Scism of the Pro Class 1 group, Ryan Beckley of Super Stock and Win Farnsworth of Super Cat—responded to requests for comment.
“I think everyone is so excited about boat racing going to the next level,” said Randy Scism, the founder of MTI, which is fielding a Pro Class 1 team this season, and the owners group rep for the category. “Everyone is welcome to join in the movement to ‘make offshore racing great again.’”
Said Farnsworth, who not only fields a Super Cat team but has a team competing in the Super V ranks, “I do think that it is an exciting move. Fresh ideas can be good for a new start—not an easy thing for these promoters to do.”
Super Stock-class owners rep Ryan Beckley said the announcement does not affect his group’s plans.
“Our class is sticking with our already published schedule, including switching the canceled Toronto race for Englewood Beach,” he said.
“This is about uniting the racing community, modernizing the rules, and taking our sport to the next level,” said Justin Martin of Professional Racing Offshore, in the press release. “We are committed to growing offshore racing for fans, racers, and sponsors alike.”
Added Race World Offshore head Larry Bleil, in the release, “This is more than a partnership—it’s a statement. We believe offshore racing deserves a governing body that listens to the racers, streamlines the rulebook, prioritizes safety and growth, and treats the sport like the global motorsport it is.
“With the list of powerhouse venues the inaugural race season under this new banner is set to ignite a new era of offshore racing—faster, bolder, and more unified than ever,” he added.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Speedonthewater.com will report additional developments as they arise.
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