World Record Set!!!
 

Briefs from the Asbury Park Press 7-20-03:
T2x's son:
Darren Luhrs, 25, of Woodcliff Lake -- apparently set a world record for a physically disabled person when he throttled a powerboat to 120.2 mph.
"He would have gone faster if we let him," said Bob Christie of East Windsor, owner and driver of the 36-foot boat, "Perfect Storm."

"It was a lot of fun, and I had a great time," said Luhrs, who has cerebral palsy. "The ride was unbelievable. It was smooth, like a car ride."

Great job Darren!!!
:cool:

Great, now the #1 fan will be the #1 racer.

Hope all had a wonderful time.

I guess I'm already part of team Darren.
www.darrensoffshorephotos.com

That is awesome!Congratulations Darren!

That's great news to hear with all the (crap) We get anymore on this board

Woohoo!! Way to go Darren!

That Great News


Mike

Darren keeps raising the bar....;) :D :D :D

Here is the complete story from Shore Dreams For Kids:
Special Olympians get supercharged day on bay



Published in the Asbury Park Press 7/20/03
By JOSEPH SAPIA
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
SEASIDE HEIGHTS -- Joe Fantozzi of Toms River has it all -- "Stress Relief," his 36-foot, twin-outboard boat; the nearby Barnegat Bay to go cruising in; and two children.

But the 42-year-old yesterday called giving boat rides to people involved with the Special Olympics, a program for physically or mentally challenged athletes, a "very humbling thing to do."

"A lot of kids never did this before," Fantozzi said as he waited to give free rides. "They just light up. The wind in (their) faces -- things we take for granted."

About 275 children and adults from around New Jersey, along with their guests, were taking part in this year's Shore Dreams for Kids event, held on the bay with 10- or 15-minute boat rides beginning and ending at the borough's municipal dock.

"When we're on boats, we're all kids," said Glenn King, 35, of Manalapan, who volunteered his 30-foot powerboat. "When out there, nobody's challenged."

One of the participants -- Darren Luhrs, 25, of Woodcliff Lake -- apparently set a world record for a physically disabled person when he throttled a powerboat to 120.2 mph, according to club members.

"He would have gone faster if we let him," said Bob Christie of East Windsor, owner and driver of the 36-foot boat, "Perfect Storm."

"It was a lot of fun, and I had a great time," said Luhrs, who has cerebral palsy. "The ride was unbelievable. It was smooth, like a car ride."

Shore Dreams had been held annually on the bay since it was started by the Barnegat Bay Powerboat Racing Association in the late 1970s or early 1980s and continued by the Day on the Bay Foundation, said Dave Patnaude, an organizer of this year's event. But it was discontinued in 2000, he said.

This year, the New Jersey Performance Power Boat Club, of which Patnaude, 34, is president, revived the event.

"We were volunteers when they were doing it (in the past)," said Patnaude, explaining how his club revived the outing. "We were passionate for the event to come back."

The 6-year-old club, based in Toms River, is a recreational group for those with high-performance power boats. It has about 275 members, mostly from New Jersey and surrounding states, who have about 250 boats, Patnaude said.

Yesterday, club members provided 30 boats, he said. The cost of running the boats -- about $30 to $75 an hour, depending on the craft -- was donated by members, Patnaude said. The club also provided a picnic at the event, which was held form 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"The first reaction of anybody you ask to come out (is) there's no hesitancy," Patnaude said. "Everybody wants to give back."

Tom Ambrosio, 36, of Marlboro served as the crew on King's boat. Ambrosio said he was "glad to help, (it was) nice to see them have a good time."

Duke Vetrano of Ocean Township brought along Kathy Finnegan White, 47, of Oceanport and Anthony Hill, 9, of New York City as his quests. Anthony described the boat ride, his first, as "a little scary."

"But he can't wait to go home and tell all his buddies he went 90 mph," White said.

When asked how fast he zipped along the water, Vetrano simply said, "Fast enough."

"The experience of the kids when they get off the boat . . . the smile is ear to ear," Patnaude said.

Some participants are blind or deaf, Patnaude said. But whatever sense may be lost, the boat ride "overwhelms" the other senses, he said.

Allen Cohen, 47, of North Arlington, another participant, said he enjoyed himself.

"If they have it, I'll do it again," he said.

"We picked up the torch, and we intend to run with it for many years to come," Patnaude said of his club's involvement.Joe Sapia: (732) 557-5737 or (800) 822-9770, Ext. 5737, or e-mail [email protected].

This was a great event to be a part of...
For all who were able to volunteer, you should be proud.
I am looking forward to next year's event...

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!! :D :D

way cool!!!!!

Thank you everyone! This was my 2ND ride in an inboard boat. I felt the the 36 ft Nor tech was the right boat to set the record

Way to go Darren.. Nice web site;)

Congratulations Darren!!!!!

I would like to thank Dave Patnaude and Bob Cristie for giving me the opportunity to throttle the boat, and for the 4 ft trophy. Thanks a lot! It was an experience That I will never forget!

Awesome Darren!!!!!!!!

congrats darren!!!!!!!!

Kewl
 

Certainly he is NOT disabled in the Tostesterone department

LOLO! Thanks buck.

Thanks a lot!

Hey Darren,you need to light a fire under your Dad's butt and post some pics of that Wing running.

I will post some soon.

Cool man!We've been watching your site.

Jim and Tammy I am glad you like it.

Dude!
 

At Darrens its Cajones R Us

Quite an accomplishment .... Congratulations Darren!

Thank You Mr. Scott.

You the Man Darren!!!

Wow!! Hey 105 Awesome front page to your site! My Bedroom walls are shaking!

Way cool congratulations on one hell of an accomplishment. :D:D

Jon

Congrats Darren
You're site is awesome

Darren,

You were a Champion before this run, now you added a record to an already incredible life. Way to go!!!!!

Steve David

Congrats Darren
 

Darren, how cool was that? 120 MPH. I heard you did an outstanding job. Your Dad Was very proud, and you have every right to be proud also. Most of us have not gone that fast yet. Congrats.

Philip & Kim

A+ way togo next year 125

Way to go Darren! You've made us proud.
Terry
Nor-Tech

Hey Darren,

CONGRATULATONS!!!! I think you should take Steve up on his offer and go after another record. Wouldn't it be cool to get your name in "Searace II' with 2 records! (when John finishes writing it of course)
Congrats again!

BOB G.

Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

Thank you all again! It's nice too have fans! lol

Re: Well Done
 

Thanks for the offer Mr. Miklos Suppling the hardware????? Do you mean??????? That I Get a Vortec 8100 for the run?

Awesome job Darren! I read this last night and ended up forgetting to post to the thread because I was so excited I was running around looking for my wife to tell and then had a fire to go to. Although your "old man" may be the next star of GRUMPIEST OLD MEN;) :p you have a LOT to be proud of, and if I know dad like I think I do, I will bet that there was tear in his eye as well as a twinkle watching you do it and saying to everyone around him "THAT'S MY BOY!"

WOW AWESOME!

Good Show Buddy.
:frog: