27th Annual Suncoast Offshore Super Boat Grand Prix, Sarasota FL
Teams Get Ready For Marquee Event on Holiday Weekend
KEY WEST, Fla (June 23, 2011) – One of the most anticipated events of the Super Boat International offshore race season is the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix. Race teams, fans, beachgoers and world travelers converge on the 4th of July weekend for the running of the 27th Annual Suncoast Grand Prix Festival presented by Walgreen’s. It consists of a week of great activities and three thrilling days of powerboats hitting the Florida coast. The second longest running Super Boat event, the first being Key West, proves to be a favorite for fans and racers alike.
John Carbonell, President of Super Boat International, is proud of the success the Suncoast Grand Prix has had and, even more proud, that he raced the inaugural year. “It seems like a long time ago, but how exciting to see this event grow and evolve over the years. I raced in the first event and I’ve been here ever since. Now I am here as a promoter, but I remember those racing days vividly. Then we raced not only offshore, but also in the bay. Each lap was over 15 miles and we ran about 140 miles… you just wanted to last to the end of the race. I ran a 34’ Coyote at about 80 miles per hour. Now days, teams run boats almost twice that size and two and half times the speed.”
A stark contrast from the 80’s, superboats now race 5.5 miles in the Gulf of Mexico and return closer to shore more frequently, so fans and spectators can watch their favorite teams. The new stadium style racing has been the design of Super Boat International in an effort to bring the sport closer to the VIP fans and spectators. “In the old days, you would get the green flag and take off. The fans watching the race might see you come back a couple times or may never see you again, if you broke down. That was just not conducive to showcase an exciting sport like offshore racing,” exclaimed Carbonell.
The Suncoast Grand Prix Festival generates an estimated economic impact of approximately 9.6 million dollars. Over the past 26 years, the event has contributed more than $14 million towards the construction and maintenance of various non-profit facilities providing programs and services to physically and mentally challenged children and adults. The facilities include Loveland Center, Special Olympics, Community Haven and Adult Center, The Florida Center, and Oak Park School.
Boats will start arriving Wednesday June 29th to Centennial Park near Van Wezel Auditorium. The public is encouraged to come to the pits and see their favorite teams as they prepare for Friday’s Kilo Run and Sunday’s Offshore Grand Prix race. Thursday, the boats will parade on Main Street at 6:00 pm. On Friday, teams will attempt new Kilo Records from 7:00 am through 12:00 noon. Saturday, teams will test offshore obeying rules of the road. Sunday races will be at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm with different classes running at each start time. Fans are encouraged to come view the boats in the dry pits anytime from Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Super Boat expects some very exciting races off Lido Beach this year with some of the fastest offshore powerboats in the world attending the 27th Annual event. This year’s event will be streamed live on Superboat.com so you won’t miss any of the action. The Super Boat racing season starts in the middle of May and runs through the second week of November, culminating in the Key West World Championships in Key West, Florida.
Article and pictures courtesy of Super Boat International
