2nd place after leading the entire race with 1 lap remaining

[JO - PANTERABOATS]

Hey pantera guys,

Just got back from racing in the Miami Super Boat Grand Prix.My Dad and I and a few employees worked last night until 5:00 AM this morning getting the boat ready to race only to have a Bravo 1 Performance drive let go with 1 lap remaining.We led from the start and never looked back.Seas were 2 feet with some cross chop from the Superboats.I cut back on the RPM from 5300 RPM to 4800 RPM to save the equipment since we had a half a lap lead on the Second place Fountain Extreme Team which by the way are a great competitors when the drive let go.I told my dad I will never get back on the throttle to conserve the equipment again since this is the second time this has happend to me while leading by a large margin.The last time was Ft.Lauderdale last August.I will run XR Gears next time.The boat ran and handled awesome.Next time we will be in a F2 35 Survivor.

[JO - PANTERABOATS]

Hey Mike,

I actually ended up running the 500 EFI motor.We decided last night to drop in the Merc. since The Viper motor has to much Torque and I felt my drive would not hold the abuse from the motor in calm water for an entire race at high rpm. The motors is actually quiet while at idle but screams as the rpm increases above 4000 RPM.I feel the Viper motor will be a great marine engine but it needs a few minor changes done to it yet.Natrix Marine is commited to working on some changes with Dodge and test some ideas that will improve on its performance in the coming weeks.I will race this motor in the coming months.

The seas were 2 foot with a 10 mph wind out of the east.I think in total there was 35-40 boats competing.There was a large spectator boat fleet and allot of people watching from shore.The weather was nice the last couple of days.I think the Fountains came in 1 and 2 and the Cigarette finished 3 rd in F2.In stock my freind Gary Ballough won in the Aqua Toy Store boat.I am not sure of the remaining classes.

I put some test hours the last 2 days with the Viper motor on a stock performance drive I had here and I think this weakend the drive, plus some additional hard running time in the past.I will run an XR drive from now on.

Regards, JO

[Von Bongo]

Hey Jo,

Sorry to hear about the drive that had to suck rocks. It would be bad anytime but 1 lap from the end...DOH!

[Thirsty Turtle]

I'm a little late, but good race guys! Equipment faliures suck. I like the pictures in the gallery.....looks as if you picked up a "shop pet"!

Bruce