Ron P

If you enjoyed the race in Orange Beach in the past, your going to love it this year. Since last year was named "One of the top 20 sporting events in Alabama" we got the attention of the local CVB - Convention Visitors Bureau - and they really done a great job in bringing in new sponsors and elevating the event status.

This year, all racer activities and meetings will be held at the Perdido Beach Resort so it would most convenient if racers stayed there. Dial the Perdido Beach Resort toll free Group Reservation Line at 800-634-8001. Please identify yourself as participants of the GCPBA Racer's Block, Booking ID It's 5248. in order to receive the group rate. Reservation cut-off date is July 28, 2008. Reservations received after the this date will be honored on a space and rate availability basis and subject to a waiting list. Racer's Block Standard Rooms $169.00 plus tax per night.

STORE YOUR RIG IN ORANGE BEACH

"Race boats can be stored at the Orange Beach Sportsplex from August 4 through the 11th, 2008. It is our understanding that after that date they will be moved to the Race Village at the Wharf.

Please contact Sam Callahan at 205-438-2547 to assist the crews and instruct them where to secure their boats. I'm sure that the race and corresponding events will be a huge success. Good luck and we look forward to working with you."

Thanks you to the folks in Orange Beach that have pulled out all the stops to make this an even better event than in the past!

bad2bonecapt

Thanks for the post Ron.

The State of Alabama, City of Orange Beach and the Gulf Coast Powerboat Association are once again looking forward to a great weekend of racing, parties and Southern Hospitality on Alabama's beautiful Gulf Coast. This year the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau has jumped on board with both feet and things are getting kicked up a notch. Live music in the Race Village throughout the day, a kids village, along with the great gulf water that racers love. Topped off after the races Sunday night with a concert by Sugarland and LeAnne Rimes at the Amphitheater at the Wharf.

Many thanks to ALL of the folks that make this event possible. the volunteer medical, sweep, turn boats, all of the volunteers that work the race villge, wet pits and those that spend Saturday and Sunday out there on the water suited up in scuba gear and waiing for action.

Check out: www.thunderonthegulf.com for more information.


See you in Orange Beach,

Sam Jackson
Vice President
Gulf Coast Powerboat Association

Ron P

And this is also an invitational event. OSS will waive the equipment registration fee for any boat that wants to race and can meet the OSS rules. This registration waiver extends to any team that has raced at least once during the 2008 season with any organization. If you haven't raced in 2008, you can have a one time registration for $500.

jayboat

iTrader: (1)

Could you clarify that reservation cut off date? On my calendar, July 28 is Monday.

Ron P

Monday the 28th.

bad2bonecapt

That's right...an Invitational..No EXCUSES. Come one, come all !!! Let's see if you've got what it takes to beat the big water. We've ordered up some pretty nasty stuff this year so go ahead and get your fiberglass guys on stand-by early...lol.

Seriously, we hope to see everyone this year. The GCBPA and Orange Beach are very proud of their Southern Hospitality and name we have made for ourselves in the Offshore community and want this years race to be the best yet.

Book now and Don't miss out, see you in my back yard...


Sammy

Ron P

Offshore Super Series Returns to Orange Beach for Thunder on the Gulf and Expanded Race Village

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL—Get revved as the nation’s premier powerboat racing league sets the gulf waters on fire for the 6th Annual Thunder on the Gulf set for August 14-17. About 30 racing teams from the Offshore Super Series will converge on Orange Beach and Race Village for an exhilarating weekend that was recognized as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for the month of August 2008.

Grab a seat on the sugar white sand or a ring-side balcony view for an exciting Sunday afternoon of racing, which starts at noon. See which team has the guts to run full-throttle through the 6.2 mile race course that stretches from Phoenix 1 Condominium east to the Perdido Beach Resort. Aiming for the start/finish line at the Island House Hotel, teams in each of the five classes are gunning for their portion of the $50,000 purse. This liquid race course will also come alive on Saturday for testing from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

But before you see these monsters sail through and sometimes over the gulf waters, get an up-close view of the boats and meet the race teams at the newly expanded Race Village at The Wharf. Your racing weekend is not complete without a stop by this exciting venue, which will be open on Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Get a few autographs, snag the official Thunder merchandise and browse through all the retail vendors. Numerous food vendors will be on hand to refuel your hungry body while your ears and toes will be rocking to the sounds of the live entertainment.

Not overlooking the youngest fans, children can play at Kid’s Village, where several vendors will offer
age-appropriate activities (such as sand art, face painting, hair wraps and rock wall climbing) and several special appearances from Home Depot Kid’s building projects, the Orange Beach Police Department K-9 unit and the stars of the Animal Planet Series, “The Little Zoo That Could.” Kid’s Village will be open on Friday from noon until 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission to Race Village is $5.00 per adult, per day but is free to VIP ticket holders and children age
6 and under. Please note that admission to Kid’s Village is included with Race Village admission.

Other Thunder on the Gulf events include a VIP Kick-Off Party and Welcome Reception on Thursday night at Live Bait. Then on Friday night, the action moves to Perdido Beach Resort for the Meet the Racers Party and Autograph Session with Silent Auction. Both events start at 7:00 p.m., and the $30.00 tickets for each event may be purchased at the door.

A Sunday evening awards ceremony is set for Race Village at Wharf. This free event kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Then, The Wharf will present a live concert with Sugarland and special guest LeAnn Rimes.

For an unforgettable race experience, purchase a $75.00 VIP ticket. In addition to saving a few pennies, you can party at the Thursday and Friday night events, enjoy unlimited Race Village access, be pampered at the VIP Hospitality Tent and receive menu specials at Live Bait Too and VIP Lounge Martini Grill and Oyster Bar. VIP tickets may be purchased online at www.thunderonthegulf.com.

“The excitement and anticipation surround this event is unbelievable,” said Herb Malone, president/CEO of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Both race fans and the OSS teams love our action-packed venue, which features a special dash of southern hospitality. On the business side, the 2007 event generated over 14,200 room nights for the area and an additional $4.9 million in total spending.”

Presenting sponsors for this year’s Thunder on the Gulf are Brett/Robinson and the Perdido Beach Resort. Other event sponsors include: AL Gulf Coast CVB, Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission, Deep South Cranes, Kicks 104, Miller Lite, The Wharf, Buffalo Rock, Pepsi, 95 KSJ, Sunny 105.7, Caribe The Resort, Condo Owner Magazine, Dogwood Productions, Foley Beach Express, Gulf Coast Newspapers, IED, Live Bait, Southern Chevrolet, The Island House, Baldwin EMC, Kaiser Real Estate, Holiday Inn Express-Orange Beach, McCarron Insurance, V.I.P. Lounge, Lost Key Marina and Yacht Club, Meyer Real Estate, First National Bank, Flora-Bama, Verizon Wireless and Merchant Capital.

For more information on the 6th Annual Thunder on the Gulf, visit www.thunderonthegulf.com, or call 251-980-RACE.