Rossville, GA. -- 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of the STARS Powerboat Racing Rescue Team. The team was formed in Chattanooga Tennessee for the 1st running of the US Formula One Racing Association during the 1983 Riverbend Festival. Since that time the team has traveled all over the country providing safety and rescue for numerous racing organizations. The team has assisted in over 500 rescue assists to date.
Jim Poplin, the Executive Director is proud to announce that the STARS Team will be providing support rescue and safety services for the OPA Racing Organization this year. "We are honored to be a part of a growing organization that supports the racers, and we are looking forward to coming to all the OPA sites as a supportive arm. We are here to help in anyway possible for the racers and sites", says Poplin. In addition to rescue and safety, some of the other services that the STARS team will be providing includes; Dunker (Self Rescue Training), Open Cockpit Crew Member Swim Test, Safety Inspections, Pre-race physicals plus other services.
2008 OPA Race Schedule:
May 31 - June 1 Ocean City, Maryland "Geico Triple Crown" July 19 - 20 Harrison Township, Michigan July 26 - 27 St. Clair, Michigan Aug 23 - 24 Patchogue, New York "Geico Triple Crown" Sept 6 - 7 Point Pleasant, New Jersey "Geico Triple Crown" Sept 20 - 21 Cambridge, Maryland "National Championship Races" Oct 9 - 12 Chattanooga, Tennessee " US Championship & Speed Runs"
One of the Teams 1st Rescues
The Team History
Chattanooga is home to the STARS Power Boat Racing Rescue Team, which got its start in powerboat racing in Chattanooga during the 1983 Riverbend Festival. Since that event the Team has over 500 rescue/assists and traveled all over the world providing safety support for over 32 different powerboat racing classes.
In 2005, the STARS Rescue Team in conjunction with STARS Powerboat Promotions hosted the first ever offshore event in Chattanooga. This event was a huge success with 22 race teams from 13 states attending. The event comprised of “The Chattanooga Mile” and “The Closed Course Speed Runs” along with the Divisional Offshore Races.
