The American Power Boat Association used its annual meeting in New Orleans to assert its position as offshore racing’s sole authorised national voice, issuing a formal statement distinguishing itself from “other Pages using the APBA Offshore name or similar branding” during a week when sanctioning competition reached new intensity.
Official Status Emphasised
APBA published a statement declaring itself “the official and authorized Facebook presence of APBA Offshore, managed by current APBA leadership” during its January 28-31 gathering. The announcement specified that other pages “are not authorized, affiliated with, or representative of APBA Offshore unless expressly stated.”
The timing coincided with IHRA’s offshore expansion and venue defections including Thunder on Cocoa Beach’s switch from APBA’s 2026 calendar to the Ohio-based sanctioning body’s schedule.
We’re proud of our history and focused on moving offshore racing forward with integrity, sportsmanship, and respect for the entire community.
Hall of Champions Inductees
APBA inducted four offshore drivers into its Hall of Champions for 2025 season performances. Mike McColgan and Robert Bryant earned recognition for their Class 5 Triple Crown aboard Tunnel Vision, capturing National Championship, World Championship, and Overall High Points titles.
The duo set a Class 5 kilo speed record in New Orleans during their championship campaign.
Cole Leibel and Gary Ballough received induction for dominating the Super Stock class aboard Raymarine/Big East. The team captured the reinstated Star Island Trophy alongside World Championship and National Championship titles.
Championship Credentials: Leibel and Ballough’s Super Stock class voted to compete exclusively in IHRA’s 2026 offshore series rather than APBA’s championship, creating an awkward dynamic for the Hall of Champions announcement.
National High Points Champions
APBA recognised season-long performance across 11 classes with National High Points awards:
| Class | Team | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Defalco Construction | 18 |
| Factory 500 | 151 Express | 66 |
| Super Stock | Raymarine | S-89 |
| Super V | Cortez Cove Fountain | 76 |
| Mod V | Boatfloater.com | 2 |
| Cat 300 | Lanier Custom Boats | C-4 |
| Class 200 | OC Racing | 221 |
| Class 400 | Simmons Marine | 404 |
| Class 500 | Tunnel Vision | 579 |
| Class 600 | Team Velocity | 611 |
| Class 700 | Dirt Legal Velocity | 789 |
APBA’s awards presentation emphasised “consistency, commitment, and performance across an entire racing season” rather than single-event results.
Sportsmanship Recognition
Jorge Arellano received APBA Offshore’s Sportsmanship of the Year award for his work with the 151 Express Factory Stock team. APBA Offshore Chairman Ryan Beckley presented the award.
Sportsmanship isn’t just how you race on the water. It’s how you lift others up, invest in the future, and lead with integrity.
Arellano’s team claimed first place overall at the 2022 Race World Offshore World Championships in Key West and won APBA National and APBA/UIM World Championships in 2025. The organisation credited him with supporting “talented, under-funded, and younger racers” including Nick Imprescia, Ian Morgan, and throttleman Joey Imprescia.
Chad Rudesill earned APBA Offshore Rookie of the Year honours for his S-21 campaign aboard SayLess MF.
Market Position
APBA operates as a volunteer-driven organisation founded in 1903 with UIM recognition as America’s national authority. The organisation lacks financial resources to match IHRA’s $2.75 million investment across offshore, tunnel boat, and personal watercraft racing.
The New Orleans meeting’s emphasis on official status, heritage, and championship legitimacy represents APBA’s response to competitive pressure. The organisation’s 2026 calendar includes races through UIM recognition that IHRA cannot provide.
However, Key West’s venue status remains unresolved, with the November event appearing on both APBA’s and IHRA’s 2026 schedules. APBA shows Race World Offshore producing the November 1-8 event, whilst IHRA lists a World Championship at a date and location to be determined.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
