2011 SMOKIN THE SOUND - Biloxi, MS RACE WEEKEND RECAP
It was a perfect day for racing; the race producers prayer for decent weather was more than answered. Fans gathered from far and wide, joining the loyal local fans anxious to get the race season started. The city shoreline was alive with roaring engines on the water. This was the first race under the united APBA/OSS banner, bringing some of the best OSS offshore powerboat racers "home" to Biloxi to kick off the 2011 season. While economy 
woes prevented some regular teams from getting to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, our dedicated racers put on a spectacular show of speed and thrills. From the beaches to the casinos fans got an added bonus as each team interviewed with announcer, Martin Sanborne throughout Sunday's race day.
Between race three and four on Sunday, the Coast Guard representatives in Race Control received word that a vessel carrying numerous adults, children and dogs, was sinking off Ship Island. OSS officials quickly made the decision to delay the start of the the fourth race, dispatch a helicopter with divers to expedite confirmation of the exact location of the sinking vessel and avail any further assistance as needed. The Coast Guard safely rescued all aboard, some from the water. The boat sank.
As always, the Biloxi Race Producers put on a stellar event. Sponsor and Meet the Racers Parties at the Beau Rivage, Hard Rock and IP Casinos were red carpet quality as usual. The Awards Ceremony was emotional with the Randy Linebach video and Lighthouse Award presentation to Jim Simmons of Simmons Racing. The inaugural teaming of OSS and APBA was commemorated with honorary checkered flags going to Chief Referee, Mike Tomlinson, APBA President, Mark Weber and APBA Scoring representative, Donna Roskowski.
The inaugural race for OSS was in Biloxi in 2004. It was a remarkable event filled with many wonderful "firsts". This event also bore a tragedy that remains heavy in the hearts of all today. A terrible accident during testing 
claimed the beloved offshore powerboat race driver, Randy Linebach. In 2005, the race producers of Biloxi, Woody Bailey, Rusty David, Asher Travis, and Gene Oswalt created the Randy Linebach Lighthouse Team Sportsmanship Award in Randy's memory to be presented annually in Biloxi to a team selected from the family that is OSS. This honor is bestowed upon a team exhibiting exceptional sportsmanship, team spirit camaraderie, support, advancement and unflagging unity of the sport. Jim Simmons of Simmons Marine is the 2011 recipient of this prestigious award.
