MARYLAND

Controversial H2Oi car show to head to Atlantic City, venue confirms

The Daily Times

Ocean City Police patrol the parking lot at ACME on 95th Street in Ocean City, Md. where a large crowd of H2Oi enthusiast had gathered on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017.

OCEAN CITY, Maryland — A New Jersey venue says the H2O International car show, which has been a source of controversy on Delmarva, will hold a fall event there.

A representative from the Showboat Hotel on Thursday confirmed for Delmarva Now that H2Oi would be held there this October, but no other details were available.

Organizers have not officially announced any change in venue.

The event brings droves of young people to Ocean City to showcase heavily modified Audis and Volkswagens, leaving in their wake numerous traffic citations, arrests and roadways marred by tire burnouts. Jalopnik, a car enthusiast website, has called H2Oi "the most ticketed car show in America."

What the move to New Jersey means for the Delmarva event has yet to be announced.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said he heard earlier this week that H2Oi is moving.

"I'm not going to say we're not going to see some H2Oi participants, but the official event, and it has already been announced in car shows in Pennsylvania, it will take place at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City," Meehan said during the Motor Events Task Force meeting Wednesday.

An Ocean City Police Office pulls over a car during the H2Oi unsanctioned event in Ocean City, Md. on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017.

Jay Shoup, the founder of H2Oi, posted a letter on the group's website this week that was critical of Ocean City, Maryland, officials, police, other car shows and the media.

He defended the image of the event, writing H2Oi has nothing to do with Ocean City, Maryland, and it should not be blamed for the actions of a few. The event is held in Whaleyville, but attendees typically stay in the nearby resort town. It was canceled in 2017 but thousands still visited, recording over 1,200 traffic stops and 78 arrests.

Shoup did not return a request for comment Thursday.

One local business expressed relief Thursday with the possibility the event could officially move out of Worcester County.

Keith Moffitt, a manager at Johnny's Pizza and Pub on 56th Street, said the participants have been "a pain."

"We could care less (about them)," Moffitt said. "They just hold up businesses, take up parking spots, chase customers away. They are just more of a pain."

The move to Atlantic City comes after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan recently signed a bill that allows for special event zones to be created in Worcester County.

More:Ocean City officials unveil plan for Cruisin' special event zone

The zones are for motor vehicle events and can transform part of the road into areas similar to construction zones with higher fines up to $1,000.

The first time the special event zone is set to be deployed is for the spring Cruisin' event. The special event zone is set to be in place from May 15-20.

H2Oi had been one of the car events on which the bill had been focused.

A file image from a video shot in Ocean City during H2O International and posted online shows drivers of two Volkswagens racing on Coastal Highway during a past event.

The letter posted by Shoup was scathing. Of the letter, Meehan said he thinks Shoup did not intend to grow an event that was too big for Delmarva or bring in unwanted attendees.

However, moving the official event to Atlantic City might not keep some enthusiasts away from Worcester County.

The H2Oi Facebook group — a page that shares posts and information about the event with 32,639 members — ran a poll to see where people would spend H2Oi in 2018

According to the poll, 678 people said they would be in Ocean City from Sept. 28-30, while 57 people said Atlantic City.

And the Ocean City Police Department is preparing to deal with the crowds that are normally associated with the H2Oi weekend, said Lindsay Richard, Ocean City Police Department public information officer.

"We have prepared a proactive enforcement strategy for all motor events in 2018, this particular weekend included," Richard said. "Due to the potential influx of vehicles, citizens can still expect to see an increased police presence. Allied agencies have agreed to assist us during various weekends throughout the season and this particular weekend will be no different."

In short, she added, the Ocean City Police Department's plans will not change from last year to this year.

If H2Oi does move to New Jersey, Meehan said he thanks the promoter for recognizing Ocean City, Maryland, might not be the best fit.

"I think they believe the other site will be more compatible, make it a better event and better for their attendees," Meehan said. "If that's the case, I wish them all the best, and I hope that's the way it is, I hope it is successful, and I think that will go a long way to alleviate some of the problems and some of the residual impact because of H2Oi."

Background:H2Oi behavior 'appalling' to Ocean City officials

On Twitter @hughesg19