Time is short to enter Acura Miami Grand Prix

by Event Media on 6 Feb 2008 An impressive fleet of top-caliber racing programs is gearing up for top tier racing next month.

The 2008 Acura Miami Grand Prix (March 6–9) will carry on the winter regatta excitement that recently concluded in Key West. The first entry deadline is February 8, after that date a late fee will be applied

Warm Florida ocean waters and hot South Beach nightlife await the grand prix programs hailing from over 15 different countries. Two high profile one design classes, the Farr 40s and Melges 32s, and two IRC classes will compete in the four-day, ten-race series.

The ultra competitive Farr 40 class takes the next step toward its World Championship in Miami later in April. The 25 boats on the line at Acura Key West 2008 will be joined by others, including former World Champion John Thomson in Miami. Jim Richardson's Barking Mad prevailed in a tie-breaker over Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino earning a hard fought class win and the prestigious Acura Boat of the Week honors in Key West.

This owner driver class will feature a lineup of tacticians that can only be matched at a major World Championship event.

The IRC racing will be very competitive with a 'big boat class' and a second smaller boat class that will include at least four Swan 42s. Dan Meyers' new J/V 60 Numbers (Newport RI) took the big boat IRC class in their Key West debut. Tactician Brad Butterworth and a core Alinghi crew will be looking for a repeat win. Colm Barrington's J/V 52 Magic Glove (Dublin, Ireland) and John Kilroy's IRC optimized TP52 Samba Pa Ti ( Los Angeles California), will be looking to improve on their 2nd and 3rd place finishes in Key West.

The smaller IRC boat class will see Miami local Stuart Hebb (Aerodyne 38, Thin Ice) challenging the new Sllim 37 and Irish Commodore's Cup boat No Naked Flames. The Swan 42s will be well represented in IRC 2 with four entries logged to date.

The Melges 32 class was the second largest class in Key West with an impressive 27-boat fleet.

The level of talent in this exciting sport boat class has been on the rise since their South Florida debut in 2006. Key West rivalries will resume With Key West champion Jeff Ecklund and his all-Star crew firmly established as the boat to beat.

The Acura Grand Prix Awards will be presented to the boats with the lowest combined cumulative points for Acura Key West and the Acura Miami Grand Prix in their respective classes.

Given the stature of both events and the competitiveness of these grand prix classes, these recipients will be special champions.

Perpetual awards are in the offing to the Farr 40, Melges 32 classes and a combined IRC class. Samba Pa Ti is the defending IRC Acura Grand Prix Champion.

Acura has been the proud title sponsor and Official Vehicle of SORC and Miami Race Week for the previous 8 years. They are joined by supporting sponsors Mount Gay Rum (Official Rum) and SLAM (Official Technical Gear and Retailer).

The Miami Beach Marina is the Official Site for this 2008 grand prix event. The Avalon and South Seas Hotels are the Official Host Hotels.

Information, details and results on the 2008 Acura Miami Grand Prix will be posted on the Premiere Racing web site: www.Premiere-Racing.com If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/41547