That was fukking insane.

I think this discussion is coming around to the only angle that makes any sense: Deal with it like cars and motorcycles on land. No racing unless its a closed course. No street racing = no lake racing. Closed courses can be achieved on some public waterways for special events planned in advance. At present most poker runs are unofficial races in the public domain.

when the crash occured at texoma that put a stop to it instantly there, and if you ever thought there would be another one forget it, they keep a look at whats happening. they see where people have been killed at poker runs across the united states. theres no way another one would happen there no matter who sponsors it. whats sad is theres always the finger pointing,the mechanical failure, etc.the problem is (EGO) we all want to be first just for bragging rites.I think the finger pointing is and should be done, two guys lost there lives that day,no one is going to accept blame, all i know is we are one step closer to lakes getting speed limits, its not one guys fault its all our faults!!!!

Not for nothing, but maybe the focus should be on trying to solve the blow-over issue. The sport (and their families) has recently suffered some significant losses because these boats blow over. I'm not saying that self control isn't a factor or bad decision making isn't an issue. But a major component of the recent losses is without a doubt the boat leaving the water. Rather than continue to insult and point fingers at each other, wouldn't the prudent action to take be coming up with a solution? Its called being productive. Can the roll-over issue be solved? No, probably not. Can you fix stupid or arrogant? Definitely not. But I know for sure that the blow-over issue can be easily solved with existing technology and some engineering. Pretty simple, but not cheap to develop.

Yea, pull back on the stick! Air compresses H20 does not.

<----Cat owner.

A thought that has to go through anyone of the minds that is running a boat capable of being in the front:

"For the first couple of miles there are going to be cruisers and spectators still getting situated. Probably the same a$$hole in the Sea Ray making a wake as last year for a good show. Around the first point on the lake, will probably be a big crowd. Let's take it easy until we get spread out."

Then the flag drops, you get pulled on by a couple new big cats, and the throttle is on the wood. All those things you considered before are okay to go discover at 160MPH because there are boats in front of you.

Why finger point, the positive thing to do is make suggestions and recommendations so our sport works and makes poker and fun runs safer.
If the run is a sanctioned event on a fresh water lake I'm not sure what other choices there are other than to have pace boats controlling the speeds of the different classes or close the lake to public traffic.
When it's in open water there's a lot more room to spread out and make adjustments if there's something in the way, but even that doesn't assure they'll won't be a accident.

damit guys u dont want to lay blame....but as spectaters at a big event as this is every year....use ur freakin head its not about the law sometimes but about that lump 3ft above ur azz everybody down there knew the event every body know bout the boats....so if the crusiser wanted to be somewhere else should have waited or got there before hand...i thnk they need to make spectators go out min 45 min before start...but then again cant close the whole lake to much man power needed

Scarier for the "sponsors" would be getting dragged into a wrongful death lawsuit. Imagine you are a guy with a bar/ small business and you work a deal to be a sponsor, fatality occurs and suddenly you are being served as part of the responsible party! This was an issue with the Key West deaths and Florida allows sponsors to be included in lawsuits so the lawyers got all excited about that one. Think about it XYZ Poker Run Promotions or XYZ 2013 Race Promoter doesn't have significant assets so even if there is a judgment it is useless.........But Bob's Bar and Grille might own the bar/land, definitely has insurance (they might just want to settle the claim and move on) and most importantly it has future revenue/income stream!

I'm not a lawyer but this issue stood out to me in the wake of the KW lawsuits. Also note Kentucky is very "personal injury friendly" for lawyers according to a PI attorney I know very well in Florida.

Guys Safety Has to Catch Up With the Speed/Hull design /Power. Even if its a Personal Boat Non Event Racing Use.
Open Top cockpits at Those Speeds Taking a Risk every Time...