Super Boat International preparing for 2011 season

by Bob Wonders on 28 Dec 2010 It may well be winter in the USA, but team engineers and mechanics are already preparing their charges for the 2011 Super Boat series scheduled to commence off Miami in April.

Although actual dates are yet to be confirmed, there’s no let up for the crews; preparing a ‘monster’ offshore racer and the massive horsepower sitting in its engine bay is no easy task.

As usual, there will be seven races staged leading up to the eighth event, the fabulous World Offshore Championship off Key West.

Venues for the 2011 season, pending confirmation, will be Miami, Biloxi, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, Michigan City, Cocoa Beach, New York City and Key West.

The championships at Key West earlier this year were described as one of the best ever staged, with record field and record crowds in attendance.

One of the more spectacular venues was the race along New York’s Hudson River, with the towering skyscrapers of ‘the city that never sleeps’ providing a magnificent backdrop.

Many drivers (particularly New Yorkers!) rated the Hudson River course as their favourite.

The Florida venues, particularly Sarasota and Cocoa Beach, also win the hearts and minds of many crews and seem to attract large spectator attendance.

With the 2011 season looking, all eyes will be on the recent Key West winners as crews try and work out how to beat them to the podium.

Billy Mauff (driver) and Jay Mueller (throttles) aboard WHM Motorsports, overall winner for the 2010 title, will again be tough to beat.

Billy and Jay will happily tell anyone who asks, 'We don’t like coming second!

In effect, every winner at Key West will be a 'target' for rival crews when the 2011 season commences.

The Americans are not backward in coming forward when it comes to preparing their boats and another season of close competition can be counted upon.

Powerboat-World will bring all Super Boat the action as it unfolds, backed up by the usual first class action photography from Rodrick Cox.