Wildfire-Driven Air-Quality Concerns Force Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix Cancelation
Slated for this weekend, the Offshore Powerboat Association Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix in New Jersey has been canceled courtesy of the 150-plus wildfires in Quebec, Canada. Smoke from those still-uncontained blazes has inundated much of the Northeast producing unhealthy air quality throughout much of the region.
A traditionally high-flying affair, this weekend’s Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix has been called off due to air-quality issues in the Northeast. Photo from the 2018 event by Tim Sharkey copyright Sharkey Images.
A typically bumpy to extremely rough race, the Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix is among the crown jewels on the annual OPA schedule. Announced via email to members of the New Jersey-based organization as well as on its Facebook page, the decision to scrub the event was not made lightly.
“The developing situation with smoke, visibility, travel delays and air-quality alerts due to the Canadian wildfires has caused significant problems along the East Coast specifically for the event and the town, all of which are outside of OPA’s control,” the announcement explained. “Safety for our teams and fans are number one and when we’re this close to a great event start this decision hurts in the place we call home.
The announcement also stated that “there is still an opportunity to reschedule the race.” Speedonthewater.com will report the new dates for the event if they are reset.
“We’ve been working nonstop getting the new Moderation boat ready for the race,” said Johnny Saris, a veteran offshore racer and member of Team Saris Performance Marine in Bolton Landing, N.Y. “As heartbreaking as it is for us to not be able to go, it’s even tougher for the people putting on the event.
“It could be worse though,” he added. “We could be in Canada losing our homes.”
Related stories
Man Of His Word: Valder Claims LOTO Powerfest Super Cat Victory
Breaking: Controversy Erupts Between APBA And OPA
APBA Officially Terminates OPA Sanctioning Ability
Cocoa Beach Wrap Up: The Last Lap Is The One That Matters
Doug Wright Powerboats Adding Bracket 700-Class Purse For LOTO Powerfest
LOTO Powerfest A Super Stock-Class Tune-Up
Super Cat Competition And More Moving On To LOTO Powerfest
Granet, Trulio And Yowaiski Joining Powerboat P1 Broadcast Team
Powerboat P1 Partnerships ‘Full Send’ For 2023 Season
7 Mile Offshore Grand Prix Wrap Up: Wild Weather, Eight Laps And Five Crashes
.
