New York Grand Prix - Teams ready to race in tribute to 9-11

by Super Boat International on 31 Aug 2013 For 22 years, Super Boat International has traveled to New York and raced the Hudson and East Rivers for what has become an iconic event. This year is no different. On Sunday, September 8th, teams will compete in the 23rd Annual New York Grand Prix with the new Freedom Tower in the background and Statue of Liberty in the foreground. New York City and lower Manhattan is one of the most picturesque skylines in the world of boat racing.

Super Boat International was asked to return to New Jersey and Liberty State Park the year after the tragic events of the 9-11 terrorism attacks. Within days after the 2001 Super Boat race, the Twin Towers were attacked. Ten months after that horrific event, the Governor of New Jersey confirmed in a letter to Super Boat International that racing should continue there as it would help raise the level of community spirit closer to levels of normalcy.

The President of Super Boat International, John Carbonell has fond memories of the New York race and knows the teams racing today will cherish their memories in the future. 'The events surrounding 9-11 were very tragic and, for us to be asked to return and race the following year, meant a lot to me and our organization. We have had some great races in the 20 plus years and it is important to me to put on the best possible show we can for the entire area. Years from now, many of today’s racers will reflect on this race and have fond memories of racing and seeing New York and The Statue of Liberty outside their raceboat windows,' comments Carbonell. This year the organizers of Liberty State Park have asked Super Boat to run the Sunday race at 11:00 am to accommodate the Tribute to 9-11 memorial service taking place at 1:00 pm.

This season has showcased some of the most exciting action in all of offshore racing. Most recently in Michigan City, Indiana, the Superboat class saw WHM and Team STIHL trading paint and fiberglass at 100 mph for the boating supremacy in the most competitive class. Team WHM Motorsports, owned and driven by Billy Mauff and throttled by Jay Muller, has taken a 183 points lead headed into this race. The winner of the Michigan City race, JD Byrider, is sitting in third place with a deficit of 457 points behind STIHL.

Another boat that has taken a commanding lead in the National points battle is the No. 10 Red Hot Racing 30’ Fountain in the Superboat Vee Class. They lead the field with 2955 points and nearly a thousand points over the nearest competitor, Phantom Racing. Earlier this year in Sarasota, Florida, Team Phantom experienced a dramatic spinout near the finish line as their boat hopped, spun and rolled and eventually stopped upright; not stopping until the canopy behind the driver’s seat was ripped off to the waterline. The Superboat rescue team, on the scene in seconds and receiving the all-good signal from the team, immediately threw a line to the sinking vessel. Team Phantom is making great efforts to repair their raceboat and return to action soon.

In the 2012 New York Grand Prix, Team Tilted Kilt took first place in the Manufacturers P3 class and hopes to do the same this year. Driven by Rich Davis and throttled by Tony Canale, the team is hoping for another victory on the Hudson River. The Tilted Kilt team sits 525 points out of first place in the P3 class behind points leader, Team Dare Devil.

His Excellency Sheikh Hassan with Team Qatar will be debuting his new Turbine powered 50’ Mystic offshore powerboat on Sunday, September 8th. The team has campaigned the No. 20 Spirit of Qatar Superboat most of the season and, now with his new entry, Team Qatar will race two boats. Hassan is expected to put on quite a show with this brand new state-of-the-art raceboat.

Teams will be arriving Friday, September 6th, in the dry pits (Liberty Landing Marina) to set up their equipment. This is where fans can get an up-close look at all the boats and have an opportunity to talk to their favorite teams. Teams and drivers always encourage the fans to come down and spend time in the pits, where they can swap racing (boating) Super Boat International