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*************UPDATED INFO:

A collection of the most significant performance boats across the nation are once again planning to converge on Lake Havasu this coming spring! The word is already out and reservations at the Nautical Inn, our host hotel are selling fast!

The 2008 event exceeded everyone’s expectations in the number and quality of the poker run teams and boats. We pulled out all the stops to make it a top notch event in safety and quality. Adding the west coast version of the Lake of the Ozarks Radar Shootout brought over 2000 spectator boats lining the course. Please help us continue this as one of the premier west coast performance boat events! Thursday will start off the excitement with a down town Street Party, all of our participants and Sponsors are invited to display their boats on McCulloch Boulevard which will be closed off for the event. Display and vendor booth areas can be purchased by our sponsors and the public. Last years Street Party was spectacular and over 10,000 people turned out from all over the area, so of course we have to make it even bigger this year. Registration and check in for the poker run and shootout will open Thursday night at the street party.

Friday morning back at the Nautical Inn, the Poker Run takes off with registration, drivers meeting and a parade thru the London Bridge Channel beginning the run. With 3 card stations in the morning, 2 card stations and a helicopter photo station in the afternoon, there is lots of fun boating action! A card turn in party that night in the Nautical Inn Cove completes the day!

Saturday morning starts with registration and check in for the Desert Storm Shootout. The Shootout Course starts off in Thompson Bay and runs two miles south on the Arizona side. Set to run all day with a break for lunch, we’ll see who have the fastest boats in the west and the King of the Desert!!! Spectators have a great view from Rotary Park Beach and we have display and vendor areas available there as well.
Saturday night we’ll celebrate with an awards banquet and party at the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center.

For the Desert Storm participants, sponsors and spectators, Lakeracer is producing a 60 page event magazine with over 5000 issues; advertising in this publication is our sponsors, participating advertisers. And for the first time, each participant team can have their own team page! A ½ page or full page photo of your team in full color will be seen by all your friends and event spectators! We invite you to support this great event by showing your team colors in the Desert Storm Poker Run Magazine!

We can also showcase your business, several levels ads are available, 1/4 page, ½ page, full page or two page facing ads. Please contact Jim if you would like to advertise as well. To receive the full benefits of your participation please make sure we have your team photo no later than February 1, 2009. Make checks payable to LakeRacer, L.L.C. Emails can be sent to Jim Nichols ([email protected]) If you have any questions please contact us immediately.

April 23, 2009 Thursday – DESERT STORM STEET PARTY
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Park the boats on Main Street – Vendor booth setup. Contact (602)863- 3713 to display your boat, Must be a registered participant or sponsor. (Limited # of Boats, call for your spot)
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM Main Street Boat Show and Street Party. Open to everyone.
EVENT REGISTRATION for Poker Run and Shootout at Schlotzsky's Deli (downtown Street Party) 2144 McCulloch Blvd

April 24, 2009 Friday – DESERT STORM POKER RUN
8:00 AM - 11:30 AM – Poker Run sign in and Shootout Registration - Nautical Inn cove area.
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Poker Run Captains meeting - Nautical Inn cove. Mandatory Attendance for all Captains!!
10:30 AM - Fleet gathering for the channel parade - Thompson Bay off Nautical Inn beachfront.
A Group Leader boat will gather each group and lead them through the London Bridge Channel. Upon exiting the channel, each group with follow their group leader until the caution flag is dropped.
Groups will leave in two to five minute intervals. Groups 1 thru 5 head south to Havasu Springs. Groups 6 thru 10 head north to Havasu Landing Station.
Group leaders will release the boats when conditions are clear. Boaters please be aware of right hand rule when crossing the lake. Follow the California shoreline when heading south. Participants shall maintain a safe and prudent speed including not to exceed 50 mph in the following locations: Spectator Point to Grass Island, and Pilot Rock to Steamboat Cove.

10:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Havasu Springs Station (Sleekcraft Boats) opens for first card.
Havasu Landing Station (Wozencraft Ins.) opens for second card.
Thompson Bay Station (Streamline Boats) opens for third card.
11:00 PM - 2:30 PM Lunch!
Lunch is on your own this year, unless we have a sponsor step up to help us stage it again. Last year was great and we thank Vista Del Lago for hosting such a special occasion!

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM – Afternoon Run, no official start due to permit rules, take your time and enjoy the cruise!
Photo Station (Ultra Custom Boats) – Unlike other events, you helicopter photo is included in your package, BUT, you must visit the photo station and line up for helicopter photos. Boats are released one at a time, and you’ll get 2 to 3 great photos! Suggestion – maximum 60 MPH!
Black Meadow Landing Station
(Nordic Boats) open for fourth card.
Crazy Horse Station (Evolution Boats) opens for fifth card.
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM - Poker Run Outdoor Party
Music, Pizza and Budweiser at the Nautical Inn Cove,
Poker Hand turn in will be at the event registration tables. Visit with your friends and our sponsors! Enjoy the evening don’t just stand in a huge line, come back when the line in smaller!

April 25, 2009 Saturday – DESERT STORM SHOOTOUT!
Run the two mile course from Thompson Bay to Copper Canyon along the Arizona shoreline. With over 30 different classes available, you’ll compete against boats like yours! Safety equipment is required, see rules in the registration packet.
7:30 AM - 11:00 PM – Final Shootout Registration, Nautical Inn
8:00 AM – Drivers Meeting for Shootout
8:30 AM - Tech inspection begin at starting line houseboat.
9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon - Shootout – Thompson Bay
12:00 Noon – 1:30 Pm Lunch Break
1:30 PM – 4:00 pm Shootout Continues – Thompson Bay
Dinner and Awards Banquet
6:30 PM Cocktails - Lake Havasu Aquatic Center
7:00 PM - Dinner - Lake Havasu Aquatic Center – Wrist Bands Required!
8:00 PM - Awards and Prize Raffles - Lake Havasu Aquatic Center.
April 26, 2009 - Sunday
To be announced - POPRA Races may compete, depending on Coast Guard permit. Possibly races may be April 19th instead.

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The races for Sunday are still tentative. We hope POPRA can come through for more exciting race action as last year, however if they are unable to make it, this is still THE EVENT OF THE YEAR!!

The participation list is starting to build as are the sponsors. As expected with these difficult economic times, many sponsors have been forced to back out. The show will go on and promises to be better than ever, however it is all the great sponsors (like title sponsor Teague Custom marine) that insure the best possible event. If you or someone you know would enjoy being apart of what is arguably the best poker run in the country, please contact Jim Nichols @ [email protected]

Be aware; the Nautical Inn is sold out. The London Bridge is also filling up fast (however, still has rooms available at this time). There are many other hotels in the area to choose from as well. Book your rooms fast!!

T-Shirts are looking good for this year too!!

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TTT

POPRA Races are a go for Sunday...Going to be another EPIC 4 day weekend!!