APBA Offshore Racing

03/03/2026

2026 APBA Offshore Rule Book is posted

https://www.apba.org/documents/245333684-03-05-2026-2026_APBA_OFFSHORE_RULEBOOK_3-5-2026.pdf

03/03/2026

A massive thank you to the incredible photographers who joined us at the National Meeting! Our sport is built on speed, but it’s your talent that allows us to freeze those moments in time and share them with the world.

We are so grateful to the following for donating their stunning work:

J Schwartz photography

Gleason Racing Photography
https://sponsonhead.smugmug.com/

Digital Roostertails

Julie Ann Sparrowgrove Photography

Tomas Pictures - Tomas Velazquez

MT Actions Photography

Be sure to head over to their pages, give them a follow, and show some love to the people behind the lens who keep our racing memories alive!

02/28/2026

Thanks to Offshore Vintage for saving copies of “The Racer’s Edge” and my old monthly column….It is ,sadly, obvious that the sport is still juggling the same issues 33 years later.

02/27/2026

The roar of the engines and the salt spray might have settled for a moment in New Orleans, but we’re still riding the high from celebrating our Offshore Category stars!

Led by ORC Chairman Ryan Beckley, the offshore community came together to honor the grit, speed, and sportsmanship that define racing on the open water.

Check out this year’s heavy hitters:

The 2025 Offshore Honors Mod V National Champions: A massive shout-out to Steve Kildahl and Kim Kildahl of the Scott Free Racing / BoatFloater.com team! (Not pictured is Stephen Kildahl, SON, and driver of the #2 BoatFloater.com / Scott Free Racing team) Winning a National Championship in this category is a testament to pure skill and teamwork.

Offshore Rookie of the Year: Give it up for Chad Rudesill! Stepping into the offshore world is no easy feat, and Chad proved he’s got the talent to lead the next generation of racers.

Offshore Sportsmanship of the Year: Huge congratulations to Jorge Arellano, owner of the 151 Express team. Jorge embodies the heart of our sport: competing hard while always putting the community and fellow racers first.

Congratulations to our Offshore Category stars!



Gleason Racing Photography
https://sponsonhead.smugmug.com/

02/23/2026

We had a hauntingly good time on the New Orleans Ghost Tour! From the eerie shadows of the French Quarter to the legendary tales of the Big Easy, it was a night of chills, thrills, and great company.

A massive shout-out to our incredible sponsor: Shane Custom Metal Fabricators

Shane Custom Metal Fabricators didn't just support a tour; they helped us create memories that will haunt us (in the best way!) for years to come. We are so grateful for their continued support of our community and events. For all your fabrication needs, contact Shane Custom Metal Fabricators at (410) 939-3883.



📸 Gleason Racing Photography

02/19/2026

It’s time to renew your APBA membership for 2026!

What’s new for 2026:
• Racing Member renewals increase by $5
• New Non-Racing options:
– $65 without Propeller Magazine
– $75 with Propeller Magazine
• Kids memberships stay $24.99
Early-bird Racing renewal rates are available through March 1.

Renew through Trackside:
https://apba.tracksideapp.com/memberships

Let’s make 2026 another amazing year! 🎉🏁

02/19/2026

🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

Race World Offshore

02/14/2026

The American Power Boat Association elects members to official positions including President, Board Members and Region Chairmen.

02/13/2026

⭐ APBA OFFSHORE: FROM THE RECORD BOOKS

Fabio Buzzi: The Italian Mastermind

Today we recognize Fabio Buzzi, one of the most brilliant engineers, innovators, and competitors the sport of offshore powerboat racing has ever known.

Fabio Buzzi was a racing genius whose influence spanned competition, technology, and design. Over the course of his extraordinary career, he claimed an unparalleled 52 world championship titles across multiple classes, a testament not only to speed, but to sustained excellence across changing eras of offshore racing.

Buzzi’s dominance extended to some of the sport’s most prestigious achievements. He captured the Harmsworth Trophy an astonishing seven times and set 56 official speed records, pushing offshore performance to levels once thought impossible. Among those achievements was a top recorded speed of 171 miles per hour, redefining the outer limits of the sport.

In 1984, Buzzi further cemented his legend by winning the grueling Round Britain Race, a 1,400-mile endurance event that tested navigation, reliability, and human endurance as much as raw power. Victory in that race confirmed Buzzi’s mastery was not limited to sprint racing, but extended to the most demanding offshore challenges in the world.

His iconic Red FPT-powered boats represented the intersection of engineering precision and competitive instinct, influencing offshore boat design and propulsion development for decades. Buzzi was not only racing boats…he was advancing the technology of the sport itself.

Fabio Buzzi continued racing at the highest levels until his passing in 2019, leaving behind a legacy measured not just in championships and records, but in innovation that permanently elevated offshore racing.

His name stands among the giants of the sport…written indelibly into the APBA Offshore record books as a true mastermind of speed, endurance, and engineering excellence.

— APBA Offshore 🏁

02/11/2026

⭐ APBA OFFSHORE: FROM THE RECORD BOOKS

4. Betty Cook: The Pioneering Force

Today we recognize Betty Cook, one of the most important pioneers in the history of offshore powerboat racing and a trailblazer whose achievements reshaped what was possible in the sport.

Betty Cook broke new ground at the highest levels of offshore competition. She claimed World Championship titles in 1978 and 1979, establishing herself not as a novelty, but as a dominant and respected racer among the world’s elite.

In 1978, Cook made history by becoming the first woman to win the legendary Cowes–Torquay–Cowes race, piloting her 36-foot Cigarette, Kaama. Her victory was not symbolic…it was earned under pressure. During the race, Cook battled engine issues and relied on pure skill, experience, and determination to finish and win, demonstrating mastery far beyond machinery.

At a time when offshore racing was overwhelmingly male-dominated, Cook’s success challenged assumptions and opened doors. Her accomplishments proved that talent, discipline, and competitive intelligence…not gender…define excellence in offshore racing.

Betty Cook’s impact extends beyond championships and trophies. Her courage and success inspired generations of women to enter and compete in offshore powerboat racing, leaving a legacy that continues to influence the sport today.

Her name is etched permanently into the APBA Offshore record books….not only as a champion, but as a pioneering force whose influence transcends eras.

— APBA Offshore 🏁

02/11/2026