Super Boats set to rumble off the Florida coast

by Bob Wonders on 17 Jun 2010 Some Americans will celebrate July 4 with thousands of horsepower as the Super Boats gather off the Sarasota (Florida) gulf coast for the 26th Annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival.

Event organiser, Super Boats International (SBI) has expressed 'excitement' at the prospect of hosting one of powerboat racing's most famous races, with support this year going to Suncoast Charities for Children.

The July 4 weekend is expected to attract a record crowd and a highly competitive fleet of offshore race teams.

In addition to the scheduled races, SBI will also staged Kilo speed record attempts on the Friday (July 2).

Al Copeland Jnr's wickedly fast 50' ‘Phenomenon' is one of the premier boats attempting to set a record two-way average over the current SBI Kilo world record holder ‘Bacardi Silver'.

Currently the oldest and longest standing record on the books for the Superboat Unlimited Class, ‘Bacardi Silver', a 36' Skater, set the mark in August, 2003 at 198.03mph (318.68 km/hr).

Sarasota rates as one of the premier events on the 2010 National Series points schedule.

The 2010 event has a special meaning for SBI president John Carbonell and for many of the competing teams.

'This has been a tough year for many people, for many reasons,' John explained.

'Especially, our hearts go out to those involved in the Gulf Coast's oil spill tragedy.

'I've been around the coast all my life and have never seen anything like this before.

'We want to race; we want to put on a great show for the people of Sarasota and for the vacationers who will be here for the holiday weekend.

'Our aim is for people to remember this weekend by coming together and having a good time while recognising all those involved or affected by this dreadful oil spill,' he added.

Race teams have had almost a month to prepare for the July 4 extravaganza.

Al Copeland Jnr unveiled the quad turbine-powered ‘Phenomenon' at Key West in November and since then has been testing and fine tuning the boat in readiness for the record attempt.

Teams contesting the SBI Kilo speed record attempts aim at records in their particular classes.

The distance, of course, is one kilometre and, to break the record the competitor must pass through the start and finish markers twice (upstream and downstream) with an average speed that exceeds the current record.

Teams are separated into multiple classes depending on size, engines and horsepower.

The action begins on the Thursday (July 2) with a Parade of Boats, while the following day, beginning at 7am, select teams will take to Sarasota Bay for the SBI Kilo record attempts.

That same evening, the 'rage' labelled 'the world's largest offshore party' starts at 8pm at the Hyatt Regency, with teams, drivers and fans welcome to attend.

Racing on the Sunday (July 4) is scheduled for 11am and 1pm off Lido Beach, allowing fans a clear view of the excitement offshore.

Racing will also be broadcast live and fans can join winning teams for the Race Award Ceremonies at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.

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