APBA Reinstates Historic Star Island Trophy

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By: Dana Potts | Marketing Director | May 15, 2025

Photo: APBA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2025

APBA Reinstates Historic Star Island Trophy for Florida Offshore Racing Circuit

MIAMI, FL — The American Power Boat Association (APBA) proudly announces the return of one of its most storied awards—the Star Island Trophy—to be presented annually to the top-performing Outboard Offshore team competing in the APBA-sanctioned Florida Offshore Racing Circuit.

Originally deeded to APBA in the 30's, the Star Island Trophy was created to honor premier outboard racing performance in Miami’s historic Biscayne Bay. Over the decades, it evolved into a symbol of excellence within the Florida Grapefruit Circuit, where it was last awarded in 2006. Beginning with the 2025 season, the trophy will be reinstated as a traveling perpetual award, linking the sport’s rich legacy to the exciting future of offshore outboard competition.

“The Star Island Trophy was originally established for premiere outboard racing in Florida and was last awarded during the height of the Grapefruit Circuit in 2006,” said Dana Potts, APBA Director of Operations. “We’re excited to continue this tradition with offshore outboards in Florida. The traveling trophy started in the 1930s in Biscayne Bay, Miami—it’s going to be cool to get this trophy back in commission and not sitting in a closet.”

The updated deed, outlines eligibility for classes including Factory Stock, Super Stock, Cat 300, and Bracket Class 700 in Offshore. The trophy will be awarded based on cumulative APBA points earned during the Florida Offshore circuit, with only races featuring five or more starters counting toward point totals.

Winners will be celebrated at the annual APBA National Meeting, where the trophy will be presented alongside a crystal replica for permanent display by the winning team. The original Star Island Trophy will continue its legacy as a traveling symbol of outboard excellence, with the names of each year’s throttleman and driver etched into APBA history.

Conditions of Award:

1. Eligibility: Only Outboard Offshore classes are eligible. Current classes eligible are: Factory Stock, Super Stock, Cat 300, and Bracket Class 700.

2. Circuit Definition: The eligible events will comprise the Florida Offshore Racing Circuit - APBA Sanctioned Events.

3. Award Criteria: The trophy will be awarded to the team that accumulates the highest APBA points across all designated Florida Offshore events, utilizing the points system attached, within a calendar year.

4. Tiebreaker: In the event of a tie in total points, the trophy will be awarded to the team whose class fielded the highest number of participating boats (“wet boats”) during the circuit.

Custody and Display: The Star Island Trophy remains the property of the American Power Boat Association. It shall be a perpetual trophy, presented each year to the winning team at the annual APBA meeting, along with a similar crystal trophy to keep by the winner. The name of the winning throttleman and driver will be placed on the Star Island trophy each year, and will live on in history forever. APBA reserves the right to reclaim or reassign the trophy under special circumstances or due to inactivity.

Points system:

Only classes with 5 boats entered, and starting, at an event will be eligible.

Only the first 5 boats in each race will receive points, issued per the following criteria:

2 points for each higher finish position, 1st, 10 points, 2nd, 8 points, 3rd 6 points, 4th 4 points, and 5th 2 points.

An additional point will be issued for every boat beaten.

A few examples;

10 boats start, 1st place 10 points, boats beaten, 9, total points 19

10 boats start, 3rd place 6 points, boats beaten 7, total points 13

5 boats start, 1st place 10 points, boats beaten 4, total points 14

5 boats start, 3rd place 6 points, boats beaten 2, total points 8

4 boats or less start, no points

For more information about the Star Island Trophy or the APBA Offshore Florida Circuit, please contact the APBA National Office.

Media Contact:

APBA National Office

apbahq@apba.org

(586) 773-9700