Smitty’s offshore racing career began shortly after purchasing the 32’ Viper formerly carving waves on the racecourse as Benihana and then Mary-K. It was after a phone call from Kurt Berger, the previous OPA President, inviting Smitty to race, that the Viper débuted on the OPA racing course in 2001. However the Viper was now housing Wazzup Racing Engines under the hatch. Accompanied by son Anthony, the two raced as Team Wazzup on the OPA circuit during the 2000 season and then a year later added SBI to their racing credentials followed by APBA in 2004. Through-out their impressive racing career, Team Wazzup has taken home over 26 overall wins, 24 of which were National Championships. AMF’s John Haggin will also be joining Smitty and Sticks this season as their navigator for several races.

Smitty’s Marine is not the only business Smitty runs. He was just elected President of the OPA after Kurt Berger stepped down, and along comrade Augie, he is a founding member of the Jersey Boyz Crew. The Jersey Boyz Crew was originally a term coined to describe the armada of racers from the Northeast who were traveling collectively to partake in races located in more distant states. Shortly after the formation of The Jersey Boyz Crew, the entity was trademarked and practically overnight it evolved into an offshore phenomenon. At this point the gang elected Smitty’s Marine to serve as their clubhouse. When Smitty is not functioning in one of his roles as OPA President and Jersey Boyz Boss, or running his marine business, he enjoys spending time with wife Marie and their ten-year old son Nicholas, who has also been known to drive at times when testing the boat.