FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marilyn DeMartini
CIGARETTE RACING TEAM™ ROARS INTO THE BIG APPLE FOR THE BIG NEW YORK CITY POKER RUN
Over 150 of the country’s most impressive powerboats will gather on the Hudson River at noon on Saturday, June 18, but the icon of the industry, Cigarette Racing Team will be flexing some serious American Muscle. Two brand-new 46’ Cigarettes with Mercury Racing SCi 1075 HP engines, American Muscle II and III will be making some strong statements on this prestigious run—and starting it on national TV.
The two red, white and blue Cigarette American Muscle boats will figure prominently in the 100+mph Club, as their design theme and powerful engines set them at the head of the pack of an American flag-waving Patriotic Parade, from the Statue of Liberty to the start line at the George Washington Bridge. There, a high-speed run to the Tappan Zee Bridge deems the annual King of the Hudson title.
Then, five stops to pick up playing cards in the search for a winning “Poker Run” hand are another part of the powerboat ride that travels to The Ossining Boat and Canoe Club, The Haverstraw Marina and back to Liberty Landing where the winning hand will be ascertained. An awards ceremony and party will follow to distribute prize money and trophies—and to establish bragging rights.
The event is part of a national series of such recreational Poker Runs—not “races” but speed-oriented social events, which have fueled the high-performance segment of the marine industry in recent years. Business Week magazine recently acknowledged Cigarette’s lead role in this industry, as have national segments on CNBC-TV news and Powerboat magazine’s award to the new Cigarette 39’ Top Gun Unlimited as the 2005 Offshore V-Bottom of the Year.
“Cigarette is poised to introduce even more great innovations and spectacular boats,” said Skip Braver, President and CEO of the historic company started in 1969 by the legendary Don Aronow. Though Aronow was gunned down on his renowned Thunderboat Row, Braver and Executive VP, Neill Hernandez have continued the winning tradition in recent years. “Our commitment to building the best powerboat in the world is a tribute to our heritage,” said Hernandez, who over 17 years, worked his way from an apprentice to his current position. “In New York City, we will make Don Aronow proud!” he adds anticipating when he and Cigarette aficionado and owner of American Muscle II, Tony Mondazze, take to the water on Friday morning June 17, at 6 AM on the WPIX-TV morning show with Larry Hoff. Hernandez, in American Muscle III and Mondazze will do a speed run across the Harbor to promote the debut of American Muscle III and to officially kick-off the annual New York City Poker Run.
According to the producer, National Powerboat Association’s (
www.nationalpowerboat.com) Billy Frenz, “This is the ‘Who’s Who’ of powerboating—right here in America’s largest and most exciting city. Cigarette’s American Muscle boats will show leadership—and offer strong competition to this prestigious fleet of boats!”
For more information
CLICK HERE (NPBA Web Site)
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