SilverHook GP48's performance at the Superboat World Championships

by Barbara Biers on 22 Nov 2011 'Our primary mission was accomplished which was to show that the new SilverHook GP48 would out-run, out-handle and out-corner the market leaders of Fountains, Outerlimits and Skaters', declared Nigel Hook, Captain of the 77 Lucas Oil MAV-TV SOC team.

'Although, I have to say both Michael and I were as surprised as anyone that we were able to show such speed, especially right out of the gate in the first race', Hook added.

Silfverberg and Hook were ecstatic as they feel they have only just scratched the surface with the potential of their new SilverHook brand. Just a year ago the racing partners brought together a world class team to make this happen, which included Ted and Ocke Mannerfelt of MDT, John Cosker of Mystic Powerboats, Jerry Gilbreath and many others to complete this race boat. 'Less than a year ago this concept was still just software in a computer' said Michael Silfverberg.

The green flag of the first race showed the number 77 Lucas Oil MAV-TV dueling against Nigel’s former teammates, Mike Fiore and Joe Sgro in their number 43 Outerlimits. Perhaps knowing the limits of the 43 Outerlimits was an advantage as the two race boats sparred leaving the Fountains in their wakes. The SilverHook and the Outerlimits danced side-by-side around 130mph only a few feet apart on the straightaways.

The number 43 Outerlimits were using every horse in their 1400hp engines to their advantage in the calmer waters, while the 77 Lucas Oil MAV-TV powered by 930hp Sterlings dominated the corners and owned the treacherous waters between turn one and two across the back stretch nicknamed 'The Wall' where the ruffled Atlantic seas hit the turbulent Gulf of Mexico.

Race 1 on Wednesday - Number 77 Lucas Oil MAV-TV lead for the first third of the race, then succumbed to severe water restriction and overheating (possibly from ingesting seaweed) struggling to land a fifth place finish.

Race 2 on Friday - After leading for several laps, number 77 Lucas Oil MAV-TV lost a supercharger and dropped down to second place. The diagnosis indicated that the melt down on race one allowed some shrapnel to get into the turbine blades.

Race 3 on Sunday - The final race was won convincingly by number 77 Lucas Oil MAV-TV finishing over two minutes ahead of the next two Fountains in the class.

In all three races it was clear that the number 77 Lucas Oil MAV-TV SilverHook 48 and Outerlimits 43 were in a league of their own and the number 131 Geico Caveman, a V399 Skater and the other Fountain 42’s were left noticeably struggling with the conditions. In the end, consistency and reliability proved more important as the fifth place in the first round robbed number 77 Lucas Oil MAV-TV of sufficient points to clinch the title of World Champions for 2011.

You have to experience Key West to appreciate the uniqueness of the island and the craziness that exudes from all the fans that make this a must be at event. Every year fans from all over the world as far away as Venezuela, the Ukraine and Europe flock to KW excited by the close up viewing opportunities.

The biggest and fastest ocean racers get up close and personal during the racing action as they storm past fans into Mallory Square. From the extravagant city parade on Sunday to kick-off the week to the wild Friday night Duvall Street party, fun activities filled the week.

Michael Silfverberg and Nigel Hook wish to thank the extraordinary efforts to ensure our success this season:

John Hanas, Florida -- Transportation Supervisor
Franco Galluzzo, Rome -- Chief Mechanic
Marco Spiridigliozzi, Rome -- International Press Officer
Tret Robertson, Chicago -- Electronics / Telemetry
Simon Powell, England -- Crew Chief
Jerry Gilbreath, Idaho -- Technical Director

Season summary 2011 UIM Ocean Grand Prix World Championship Races:

Round Date Country Finish
1 June Malta third Place
2 June Malta second Place
3 September Sicily third Place
4 September Sicily first Place
5 September Sicily second Place

The UIM Endurance World Championship races are televised by Greenlight TV and broadcast into 500 million homes. Television production for the UIM World Championship series was captured with:

1 Wescam on a helicopter (stabilized camera) recording in XDcam
3 ENG camera crews on XDcam broadcast cameras
5 on board cameras in/on the boats

Each one-hour show is distributed to the following countries: Belgium / France / Italy / Portugal / Poland / Hungary / Serbia / Croatia / Romania / United Kingdom / Ireland / Sweden / Norway / Australia / Middle East.

The team would like to thank our sponsors and contributors to the SilverHook project, all of whom have been instrumental in pulling off the feat of taking a brand new design from creation on a computer CAD program, to cutting plugs with 5-Axis machines, to forming the molds, to building the hull and deck and testing all within seven months.

This huge effort included Mannerfelt Design Team, Mystic Powerboats, Livorsi Marine Inc., Custom Marine Inc., Mastercraft Safety, Latham Marine, Hering Performance Propellers and Sterling Performance Engines.