Late Offseason Shuffle

Early in the offseason, LOTO Powerfest was sold to new management. And removed from the OPA Racing Series. It was a tough pill to swallow after a decade in the midwest. The focus immediately shifted to repurposing the date. Although for this year the event is slated for mid May. OPA Racing is excited to announce the Roar on the River. In Highlands, NJ, May 17-19, 2024. This inaugural event kicks off where the Jersey Shore begins. A little shore town with wonderful views and close proximity to New York City. This event is in partnership with the Highlands Business Partnership. Who has worked day and night to pull this event off in such a short amount of time. “This event has promise. It’s a great little town in New Jersey. Somewhere we’ve never been before. With a really enthusiastic board of directors.” ~ Sr. Vice President - Nick Smith. “We are aware the date coincides with Thunder on Cocoa Beach, and plan to change that going forward. But the attendance in both locations are different classes generally.” 

Another change this offseason is the loss of Roar Offshore. Ft Myers Beach was excited and hopeful being back on the 2024 schedule. But unfortunately extenuating circumstances rendered the event undoable. With organizers Tim & Cindy Hill eyeing the October date for 2025. Returning as the OPA National Championships. The late postponement of Roar Offshore presented an opportunity to move the Miami Offshore Grand Prix to October 13th, 2024. With Powerboat P1 moving the Sarasota Grand Prix on top of Miami’s September 15th date, the best situation was to move Miami to October. 

With all of this movement. Opened a two month gap in the series. From Michigan City’s Great Lakes Grand Prix. Until the Miami Offshore Grand Prix. OPA Racing in partnership with The Lake Hopatcong Grand Prix. Has begun talks to bring the touted event back for 2024. Replacing the September event in Miami for OPA Racing. Details on the Lake Hopatcong Grand Prix are still just beginning to come together. But we will release more information on all of our events in the coming weeks. 

This season’s events, sanctioned by OPA Racing

•May 19th - Highlands, NJ (OPA Racing x JSBR)

-(Roar On The River)

•June 9th - Parkertown, NJ (JSBR)

•June 23rd - Atlantic City, NJ (OPA Racing x JSBR)

-(The Casino Cup)

•July 7th - Parkertown, NJ (JSBR)

•July 28th - St Clair, MI (OPA Racing)

-(St Clair River Classic)

•August 4th - Michigan City, IN (OPA Racing)

-(Great Lakes Grand Prix)

•August 11th - Tuckerton, NJ (JSBR)

•September 8th - Brick, NJ (JSBR)

•September 22nd - Lake Hopatcong, NJ(OPA Racing x JSBR Summer Nationals)

-(Lake Hopatcong Grand Prix)

•September 29th - Beach Haven, NJ (JSBR Championship Day)

•October 13th - Miami, FL (OPA National Championships)

-(Miami Offshore Grand Prix National Championships)

•November 16th/17th - Englewood Beach, FL (OPA World Championships)

-(Englewood Beach Waterfest Presents The OPA World Championships) 

For the latest information on the 2024 season, please visit oparacing.org or jerseyshoreboatracing.com

OPA Racing Announces 2024 Tour

With an 8 race series in store. OPA Racing is excited to announce the dates, and the host cities. Lets look ahead to the 2024 season.

The inaugural Highlands Grand Prix is set to kick off May 17th. With parades, street parties, and VIP locations. This is not your typical first year event. A tight, challenging, course for the racers is in store. With racing beginning at 10am on Sunday. Kicking off the day with Jersey Shore Boat Racing (JSBR). A local racing outfit, comprised of; Mini-boats, Speed Garvey's, SK's, and Jersey Speed Skiffs. With OPA offshore racing taking the reigns at 1pm. A jam-packed day of racing. With the awards ceremony for all classes and organizations to be announced.

The next stop on the OPA Racing Series is set to take place in Atlantic City, NJ. The return of offshore to the shores of Atlantic City. Is the most anticipated event among racer's and fan's alike. The Casino Cup is set for June 20-23, 2024. With a parade set to take the teams from The Golden Nugget, to Bader Field. For a massive festival of speed. Once again joined by Jersey Shore Boat Racing (JSBR). Who will be conducting a race on Saturday, headquartered out of Bader Field. Offshore will take to the ocean on Sunday morning. With a full field of national classes. The Casino Cup will be in full swing. With the winner's bringing in a new era of offshore powerboat racing, in Atlantic City, NJ.

The Eastlake/Willoughby Grand Prix is set to take place July 12th-14th, 2024. A challenging course with stiff wave action. This event has become notorious amongst the bracket classes for it's "sporty" conditions. An event hosted by GLOPRA, with deep connections to the old silver cup series. OPA Racing is excited to further our partnership. Bringing racers new and old out to a truly historic race site.

Back again. The St Clair River Classic is set to return July 26th-28th, 2024. A race with over 30 years of history. Offering stadium style viewing. This is one of OPA Racing's premier locations. Boasting fan attendance upwards of 80,000. Presented by MAGNA, the race is preluded by an OPA signature event. The Clash of the Titans. OPA Racing invites any 70's, 80's, and 90's era race boats. To come run them one more time. In the calm, fresh water of St Clair, MI. With live entertainment all weekend long, food and beverage vendors, amusement rides, and racer meet & greets. The St Clair River Classic isn't just one of OPA's premier events. It's also one of the premier events in the state of Michigan.

The following weekend. August 2nd-4th, 2024. The OPA Racing Series stops in Michigan City, IN. For the Great Lakes Grand Prix, presented by X Insurance. The 5th race on the schedule. The competition is turning up. As national points orders are shaping up. And the series closing in on the national championship. The Great Lakes Grand Prix usher's in that playoff feel. Before racing heats up. Teams from all over the country take part in the sports largest parade and street party. With physical attendance on the weekend climbing over 150,000 people. And the award ceremony taking place Sunday evening in the Blue Chip Casino, providing dinner and spirits for the teams and their families. This is one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer.

One of the biggest announcements this off-season was the addition of The Miami Offshore Grand Prix. Slated for September 13th-15th, 2024. With the beautiful backdrop of Miami, FL. Teams will have one last shot at the podium before deciding the national championship. Headquartered out of famous Miami Marine Stadium, running along side the 40th Anniversary of hit TV show Miami Vice. OPA Racing is bringing competition back to the shores of Miami, with a nostalgic flavor.

Returning to the OPA Racing Series. Roar Offshore is set to take place in Ft Myers Beach, October 10th-12th, 2024. Looking back to Hurricane Ian. This resilient city is recovering and ready to play host to the OPA National Championships once more. The highly touted event was sorely missed. With promoters Tim & Cindy Hill lending support to their counter parts in Englewood, FL. OPA Racing, racer's, fan's, and other promoters around the sport pledged their allegiance to the event. And are holding up their end of the deal. Bringing the high octane event back in 2024. Serving as the national championships, the 2024 season culminates in Ft Myers Beach. Crowning our 2024 National Champions, and sending the season off correctly in the beautiful beach community.

Saving the best for last. Fan and racer favorite The Englewood Beach Waterfest returns in November. The OPA World Championships. Set for November 14th - 17th, 2024. Is as highly anticipated as any other. But, for different reasons. Boasting the largest fleets over the years, and rough ocean conditions. This race separates the best of the best. Off the water, the city of Englewood Beach opens their arms to the event. This laid back beach town turns into a full blown festival of speed. Offering a cost effective week of relaxation for the crews and families. Before doing battle in the gulf. A parade and block party that rivals any other takes place on Friday. Where the racers sign autographs, and give walk throughs of the boats. A wholesome event, suitable for all ages, with some of the most high flying action of the season. Englewood Beach Waterfest is the World Championships for a reason. And you never know what prehistoric creatures you may find dashing for the cash on Friday morning...

~ OPA Racing ~ opa@oparacing.org

OPA PreSeason Accident Claims Life of Class-7 Rising Star: James Jaronczyk #711 Nauti Boyz, Driver

On behalf of OPA Racing, and our racing community. I’d like to take a few minutes of your day to bring you up to speed on the situation in the Great South Bay.

James Jaronczyk was running his 22’ Progression in the Great South Bay, off of Babylon. Where he was ejected from the boat, somewhere in the area of 60mph. Search efforts concluded today. After a private dive team recovered James’ body, early this morning.

James was a shining star in OPA. Talented beyond belief, and dedicated to his craft. James will be remembered for his character. Upon entering a room, there was an undeniable energy. His nature was loving. Only superseded by his drive to compete and win.

Joe Reilly and Joe Reilly Sr. were instrumental in the formation of Nauti Boyz Racing. They mentored James, and brought him under their wing. Forming Team Progression. A ruthless two boat team. In times where one boat wasn’t ready, Joe Reilly would run with James. James would often joke “you’re screwed now! I got Joe”. They were an undeniable duo, accomplishing amazing things.

#711 will forever be cemented into OPA History. Team Progression will carry the torch. And we will do our very best to move forward from this. It’s with heavy hearts we say goodbye to our friend, our competitor, a son, a brother. To the Jaronczyk’s, our deepest condolences go out to you. To Long Island, stay strong.

Race In Peace James 711 Jaronczyk

~ Nick Smith, OPA Racing