Key West world offshore championship goes to WHM Motorsports

Action station as 'Aqua Mania', 'Cintron' and 'Mixed Emotions' battle for a break. Rodrick Cox

'WHM Motorsports', Jay Muller and Billy Mauff on board, on its way to an overall victory at Key West. © Rodrick Cox

John Carbonell, President of Super Boat International saild 'The 30th staging of the race 'could not have been better.'

'Record crowds, 55 teams competing, hotels sold out all along the keys, this has been a testament to all who attended in these difficult economic times,' he added.

As always, offshore powerboat racing can be a tough sport and Super Boat International rescue crews and medical staff was called into action o several occasions with disabled boats and crew members needing hospital treatment, fortunately all with relatively minor injuries.

'Mixed Emotions', with Frtiz Eigelshoven at the wheel and Neil Wobbe on throttles gave a good account of itself, but could only manage 3rd place in Superboat Unlimited. © Rodrick Cox

Many crews worked overnight as problems emerged with various boats, electrical and mechanical.

All together, 14 classes were engaged in the hunt for championship honours.

Fastest boat on the course was the Superboat Unlimited entry ‘Cintron’, with Herb Stotler at the wheel and Richard Wyatt on throttles.

‘Cintron’ topped 110mph (177km/hr) over the 152 mile (244km) circuit in winning its class.

Many of the class winners were proven performer winning regularly throughout the season.

Superboat Stock class saw an exciting battle between arch-rivals ‘Talbot Excavating’, with Kyler Talbot at the wheel and Jim Anselmo on throttles and ‘Mapei’, Jean Claude Chalhoub (driver) and Garry Ballough in the cockpipt.

Both boats registered identical top speeds of 114.60mph (184.42km/hr) over their 55 mile (88.5km) course before ‘Talbot Excavating’ got the break and went through to win.

'Talbot Excavating' 'sneaked' home to narrowly defeat 'Mapei' in Superboat Stock. © Rodrick Cox

Other class winners included ‘Aqua Mania’ (Turbine), ‘CRC’ (Superboat 850), ‘Hawaiian Tropic’ (P2), ‘Typhoon’ (Superboat Vee Limited), ‘Team Instigator’ (Superboat Vee Unlimited), ‘Twisted Metal’ (P1), ‘J and S Motorsports’ (P3), ‘Simmons Racing’ (P4) and ‘Rum Runners’ (P5).

Following the racing, Super Boat International presented a number of awards, including the most prestigious honour, The Golden Eagle, which recognises a team or individual’s generosity, involvement or commitment to Super Boat racing.

It went to ‘Team Instigator.’

‘WHM Motorsports’ received the first Place Overall award for competing all laps with the top time and average speed.

The ‘Warpaint’ team received the Kevin Brown award for sportsmanship.

Two teams were presented with the Triple Crown award for winning all Florida races and the National and World championships in the same year.

Next year will mark the fourth decade of Super Boat International.

The big crowd at Key West to catch the racing included none other than 'the main man', Reggie Fountain. © Rodrick Cox