Steve Page in the News!
04-11-2007, 08:38 AM
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Steve Page in the News!
SWFla. powerboat racer "King of the Sea"
By Dave Kempton
Special to news-press.com
Originally posted on April 10, 2007
Steve Page is one of Southwest Florida’s most accomplished national sports champion.
Steve who?
That fact may fly under the radar of most sports fans but the record book of the national Powerboat Racing Association will inform you the Lee County native has claimed six national titles and two world championships in different categories of the Offshore Super Series.
The high tech, high speed, high risk and high cost Offshore Super Series is marked by a decades old lack of awareness among sports fans. Even the folks who have offices near the large Page Motorsports building on Andrea Lane in south Fort Myers have little inkling of what Page has accomplished.
In fact, the off shore racing fans in Biloxi, Miss., probably have a greater appreciation of Page after he spent countless days following Hurricane Katrina helping with the rescue effort.
Page was honored recently in Biloxi before the start of the season’s open race with the Randy Linebach Sportsmanship Award that is presented annually to a person or team that exhibits exceptional sportsmanship, camaraderie and support.
“I spent 14 weeks in Biloxi in 2005 after Katrina, hauling food and water and then helping with the search and recovery mission,” Page said. “I met a lot of good people racing there and now today it’s hard for people not living there to have an idea of what happened.”
“You want to see progress, but at the end of the day it will never be the same,” said Page, who is 53.
Page returned in mid-March and won the season opening Smokin’ The Sound Super Cat 850 race in front of 30,000.
Page, the national champion in the Super Cat Lite series in 2006, will continue the OSS Super Cat schedule April 20-22 at Greers Ferry Lake/Fairfield Bay in Arkansas followed by races in Tennessee, Jacksonville, Providence, R.I., Alabama and the national finals on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri Sept. 28-30.
And Page will probably continue the title quest in his new half-million dollar Super Cat — 12-feet wide, three car lengths long — in relative obscurity.
“I love the racing, it really doesn’t bother me the sport goes unnoticed. I’m not racing for the accolades,” Page said. “The racing people involved with the series know what I’ve accomplished and might be classified as a big hitter with earned respect.”
Racing a 10,000-pound, 1,800 horsepower Super Cat is not an easy, or safe assignment. Even for the 6-foot, 4-inch, 250 pound Page.
“The thrill comes with speed — 140 mph. The danger also comes with the speed, especially when offshore conditions change and the water goes from one foot to five feet of chop,” Page said.
“You better learn the boat, do a lot of testing and have the proper setup. Then make sure you judge the weather conditions properly,” said Page, who manages financial stability because of sponsors Mercury Racing, Castrol Motor Oil, Firkins Chrysler of Sarasota and Winn’s Oil Products and Biloxi’s Hard Rock Casino.
Veteran crew chief Jon Maas of Naples has worked in offshore racing for 24 years, the last 14 alongside Page and throttle man Joey Gratton of Sarasota.
“Steve respects the elements. He may give up some speed but he has the knowledge of getting around the course,” Maas said. “He’s very consistent and understands how a team must work together.”
The Page Racing team has endured close calls, like in Grand Haven, Mich. 10 years ago when the seas reached 15 feet or in Corpus Christi, Texas in 2002 when the boat stood up on its tail and barrel rolled.
“We were fortunate,” Page said. “My daughter Jamaisa gets nervous after every close call but when we win she settles down.”
The new Super Cat 850 had spent only 20 minutes in the water before the Biloxi race and the hydraulic steering system went out during the first lap of the 11-lap race.
“A $35 part. Can you image driving your car 140 mph without power steering?” Page said.
“My body will tell me when to stop. Maybe a couple more years,” Page said.
By Dave Kempton
Special to news-press.com
Originally posted on April 10, 2007
Steve Page is one of Southwest Florida’s most accomplished national sports champion.
Steve who?
That fact may fly under the radar of most sports fans but the record book of the national Powerboat Racing Association will inform you the Lee County native has claimed six national titles and two world championships in different categories of the Offshore Super Series.
The high tech, high speed, high risk and high cost Offshore Super Series is marked by a decades old lack of awareness among sports fans. Even the folks who have offices near the large Page Motorsports building on Andrea Lane in south Fort Myers have little inkling of what Page has accomplished.
In fact, the off shore racing fans in Biloxi, Miss., probably have a greater appreciation of Page after he spent countless days following Hurricane Katrina helping with the rescue effort.
Page was honored recently in Biloxi before the start of the season’s open race with the Randy Linebach Sportsmanship Award that is presented annually to a person or team that exhibits exceptional sportsmanship, camaraderie and support.
“I spent 14 weeks in Biloxi in 2005 after Katrina, hauling food and water and then helping with the search and recovery mission,” Page said. “I met a lot of good people racing there and now today it’s hard for people not living there to have an idea of what happened.”
“You want to see progress, but at the end of the day it will never be the same,” said Page, who is 53.
Page returned in mid-March and won the season opening Smokin’ The Sound Super Cat 850 race in front of 30,000.
Page, the national champion in the Super Cat Lite series in 2006, will continue the OSS Super Cat schedule April 20-22 at Greers Ferry Lake/Fairfield Bay in Arkansas followed by races in Tennessee, Jacksonville, Providence, R.I., Alabama and the national finals on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri Sept. 28-30.
And Page will probably continue the title quest in his new half-million dollar Super Cat — 12-feet wide, three car lengths long — in relative obscurity.
“I love the racing, it really doesn’t bother me the sport goes unnoticed. I’m not racing for the accolades,” Page said. “The racing people involved with the series know what I’ve accomplished and might be classified as a big hitter with earned respect.”
Racing a 10,000-pound, 1,800 horsepower Super Cat is not an easy, or safe assignment. Even for the 6-foot, 4-inch, 250 pound Page.
“The thrill comes with speed — 140 mph. The danger also comes with the speed, especially when offshore conditions change and the water goes from one foot to five feet of chop,” Page said.
“You better learn the boat, do a lot of testing and have the proper setup. Then make sure you judge the weather conditions properly,” said Page, who manages financial stability because of sponsors Mercury Racing, Castrol Motor Oil, Firkins Chrysler of Sarasota and Winn’s Oil Products and Biloxi’s Hard Rock Casino.
Veteran crew chief Jon Maas of Naples has worked in offshore racing for 24 years, the last 14 alongside Page and throttle man Joey Gratton of Sarasota.
“Steve respects the elements. He may give up some speed but he has the knowledge of getting around the course,” Maas said. “He’s very consistent and understands how a team must work together.”
The Page Racing team has endured close calls, like in Grand Haven, Mich. 10 years ago when the seas reached 15 feet or in Corpus Christi, Texas in 2002 when the boat stood up on its tail and barrel rolled.
“We were fortunate,” Page said. “My daughter Jamaisa gets nervous after every close call but when we win she settles down.”
The new Super Cat 850 had spent only 20 minutes in the water before the Biloxi race and the hydraulic steering system went out during the first lap of the 11-lap race.
“A $35 part. Can you image driving your car 140 mph without power steering?” Page said.
“My body will tell me when to stop. Maybe a couple more years,” Page said.
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I'm Proud To Know Steve Page!!
SWFla. powerboat racer "King of the Sea"
By Dave Kempton
Special to news-press.com
Originally posted on April 10, 2007
Steve Page is one of Southwest Florida’s most accomplished national sports champion.
Steve who?
That fact may fly under the radar of most sports fans but the record book of the national Powerboat Racing Association will inform you the Lee County native has claimed six national titles and two world championships in different categories of the Offshore Super Series.
The high tech, high speed, high risk and high cost Offshore Super Series is marked by a decades old lack of awareness among sports fans. Even the folks who have offices near the large Page Motorsports building on Andrea Lane in south Fort Myers have little inkling of what Page has accomplished.
In fact, the off shore racing fans in Biloxi, Miss., probably have a greater appreciation of Page after he spent countless days following Hurricane Katrina helping with the rescue effort.
Page was honored recently in Biloxi before the start of the season’s open race with the Randy Linebach Sportsmanship Award that is presented annually to a person or team that exhibits exceptional sportsmanship, camaraderie and support.
“I spent 14 weeks in Biloxi in 2005 after Katrina, hauling food and water and then helping with the search and recovery mission,” Page said. “I met a lot of good people racing there and now today it’s hard for people not living there to have an idea of what happened.”
“You want to see progress, but at the end of the day it will never be the same,” said Page, who is 53.
Page returned in mid-March and won the season opening Smokin’ The Sound Super Cat 850 race in front of 30,000.
Page, the national champion in the Super Cat Lite series in 2006, will continue the OSS Super Cat schedule April 20-22 at Greers Ferry Lake/Fairfield Bay in Arkansas followed by races in Tennessee, Jacksonville, Providence, R.I., Alabama and the national finals on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri Sept. 28-30.
And Page will probably continue the title quest in his new half-million dollar Super Cat — 12-feet wide, three car lengths long — in relative obscurity.
“I love the racing, it really doesn’t bother me the sport goes unnoticed. I’m not racing for the accolades,” Page said. “The racing people involved with the series know what I’ve accomplished and might be classified as a big hitter with earned respect.”
Racing a 10,000-pound, 1,800 horsepower Super Cat is not an easy, or safe assignment. Even for the 6-foot, 4-inch, 250 pound Page.
“The thrill comes with speed — 140 mph. The danger also comes with the speed, especially when offshore conditions change and the water goes from one foot to five feet of chop,” Page said.
“You better learn the boat, do a lot of testing and have the proper setup. Then make sure you judge the weather conditions properly,” said Page, who manages financial stability because of sponsors Mercury Racing, Castrol Motor Oil, Firkins Chrysler of Sarasota and Winn’s Oil Products and Biloxi’s Hard Rock Casino.
Veteran crew chief Jon Maas of Naples has worked in offshore racing for 24 years, the last 14 alongside Page and throttle man Joey Gratton of Sarasota.
“Steve respects the elements. He may give up some speed but he has the knowledge of getting around the course,” Maas said. “He’s very consistent and understands how a team must work together.”
The Page Racing team has endured close calls, like in Grand Haven, Mich. 10 years ago when the seas reached 15 feet or in Corpus Christi, Texas in 2002 when the boat stood up on its tail and barrel rolled.
“We were fortunate,” Page said. “My daughter Jamaisa gets nervous after every close call but when we win she settles down.”
The new Super Cat 850 had spent only 20 minutes in the water before the Biloxi race and the hydraulic steering system went out during the first lap of the 11-lap race.
“A $35 part. Can you image driving your car 140 mph without power steering?” Page said.
“My body will tell me when to stop. Maybe a couple more years,” Page said.
By Dave Kempton
Special to news-press.com
Originally posted on April 10, 2007
Steve Page is one of Southwest Florida’s most accomplished national sports champion.
Steve who?
That fact may fly under the radar of most sports fans but the record book of the national Powerboat Racing Association will inform you the Lee County native has claimed six national titles and two world championships in different categories of the Offshore Super Series.
The high tech, high speed, high risk and high cost Offshore Super Series is marked by a decades old lack of awareness among sports fans. Even the folks who have offices near the large Page Motorsports building on Andrea Lane in south Fort Myers have little inkling of what Page has accomplished.
In fact, the off shore racing fans in Biloxi, Miss., probably have a greater appreciation of Page after he spent countless days following Hurricane Katrina helping with the rescue effort.
Page was honored recently in Biloxi before the start of the season’s open race with the Randy Linebach Sportsmanship Award that is presented annually to a person or team that exhibits exceptional sportsmanship, camaraderie and support.
“I spent 14 weeks in Biloxi in 2005 after Katrina, hauling food and water and then helping with the search and recovery mission,” Page said. “I met a lot of good people racing there and now today it’s hard for people not living there to have an idea of what happened.”
“You want to see progress, but at the end of the day it will never be the same,” said Page, who is 53.
Page returned in mid-March and won the season opening Smokin’ The Sound Super Cat 850 race in front of 30,000.
Page, the national champion in the Super Cat Lite series in 2006, will continue the OSS Super Cat schedule April 20-22 at Greers Ferry Lake/Fairfield Bay in Arkansas followed by races in Tennessee, Jacksonville, Providence, R.I., Alabama and the national finals on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri Sept. 28-30.
And Page will probably continue the title quest in his new half-million dollar Super Cat — 12-feet wide, three car lengths long — in relative obscurity.
“I love the racing, it really doesn’t bother me the sport goes unnoticed. I’m not racing for the accolades,” Page said. “The racing people involved with the series know what I’ve accomplished and might be classified as a big hitter with earned respect.”
Racing a 10,000-pound, 1,800 horsepower Super Cat is not an easy, or safe assignment. Even for the 6-foot, 4-inch, 250 pound Page.
“The thrill comes with speed — 140 mph. The danger also comes with the speed, especially when offshore conditions change and the water goes from one foot to five feet of chop,” Page said.
“You better learn the boat, do a lot of testing and have the proper setup. Then make sure you judge the weather conditions properly,” said Page, who manages financial stability because of sponsors Mercury Racing, Castrol Motor Oil, Firkins Chrysler of Sarasota and Winn’s Oil Products and Biloxi’s Hard Rock Casino.
Veteran crew chief Jon Maas of Naples has worked in offshore racing for 24 years, the last 14 alongside Page and throttle man Joey Gratton of Sarasota.
“Steve respects the elements. He may give up some speed but he has the knowledge of getting around the course,” Maas said. “He’s very consistent and understands how a team must work together.”
The Page Racing team has endured close calls, like in Grand Haven, Mich. 10 years ago when the seas reached 15 feet or in Corpus Christi, Texas in 2002 when the boat stood up on its tail and barrel rolled.
“We were fortunate,” Page said. “My daughter Jamaisa gets nervous after every close call but when we win she settles down.”
The new Super Cat 850 had spent only 20 minutes in the water before the Biloxi race and the hydraulic steering system went out during the first lap of the 11-lap race.
“A $35 part. Can you image driving your car 140 mph without power steering?” Page said.
“My body will tell me when to stop. Maybe a couple more years,” Page said.
Who do you know, that is 250 pounds and all heart!
Answer,
STEVE PAGE
I'm proud to know this man!
His charitable contributions to Biloxi, his friendship to fellow racers!
Also......
No matter how hard I've tried, I still can't drink him under the table!!
Love,
Haggin
