OPA Winter Awards Banquet Celebration
February 10, 2015
Coming off another very successful racing season, the OPA Teams once again converged at the Stockton Seaview Hotel in Galloway Township, NJ holding their annual meeting and moved over to the Awards Banquet hosted by the Oyster Creek Inn in Leeds Point, NJ.
During the meeting, Ed “Smitty” Smith, President of OPA, confirmed the unification with APBA again for the 2015 Season.
Some changes were discussed during this meeting that will be reflected in the 2015 Rule Book. OPA will continue to red flag races anytime there is an incident on the course. Once the course is clear, the race will be restarted.
The awards banquet is always more like a family reunion for wayward racers. The house was packed with a live band and fantastic food. Teams came from Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey. It was a night to remember with some of the typical shenanigans but the warm bond of close friends and family.
There were many highlights of the evening during this year’s awards ceremony:
The 2014 National Champions were presented Jackets that proudly display their National Champion Status.
The “Stugots Cup” is presented to the team that has the highest number of points regardless of class. This year it was presented to Team 505/CISCO
Rookie of the Year went to EJ Salamone, Driver of RUFstr Racing
The coveted “Godfather Cup” goes to an individual or team that demonstrates goodwill, camaraderie, professionalism and sportsmanship throughout the year. This trophy to Jim Simmons of Team Octane & Simmons Marine.
The “Jimmy Welsh Trophy” goes to an individual non-racing team member who displays the similar qualities that Jimmy brought to the sport. This perpetual trophy is the only award that OPA gives out to a non-racing member. The 2014 recipient of the Jimmy Welsh Trophy went to Pedro Lopez of Strictly Business Motorsports & Typhoon Racing.
Also in attendance was many of OPA's 2014 World Champions
OPA extends a hearty congratulations to those that received the honor of being inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions: Offshore Spec Class was Jim Simmons & Bob Mazikoski of Team Octane. Offshore Production Class was John Coen & Eddie Simmons of Team 505/CISCO.
Congratulations to all the 2014 winners! The OPA Season will start with the Barnegat Bay Grand Prix in New Jersey and end at the Englewood Beach Waterfest in Florida. Good luck to everyone in 2015!
