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Fastest boats are headed here

The three-day Offshore Super Series National Championship race event will run Sept. 28-30 on a six-mile, 16-lap course between the 6- and 9-mile markers. The race will be headquartered at the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex. George Denny/Lake Sun file photo
LAKE OF THE OZARKS - The thundering engines of 50 of the fastest boats in the world will roar down the lake when the biggest names in the sport stop here for the Offshore Super Series National Championship in September.

The top racing teams will be vying for the number one spot, piloting offshore boats worth more than $1 million in excess of 150 mph over a six-mile, 16-lap course between the 6- and 9-mile markers.

The three-day race event will run Sept. 28-30. Other events are being planned in conjunction with the races that will conclude with a concert on the final day of the series.


The Horny Toad Entertainment Complex will serve as the host resort for the racers and race teams.

Toad owner Merlyn Vandervort is leading efforts to bring the event to the lake. If all goes as planned, Vandervort said this could be the first annual OSS National Race at Lake of the Ozarks.

The race represents an investment of about $250,000. While he is still working out the final details, Vandervort said he is looking for sponsors for the event.



The OSS was founded in 2003 by a group of professional racers and has drawn world-wide attention.

When the races come to Lake of the Ozarks, they will bring that same attention to the local community, he said. The race is expected to draw in excess of 10,000 spectators.

'It's exciting,' Vandervort said. 'This will bring national exposure to the lake as well as provide a draw for the slower season.'



Vandervort predicts the event will draw avid race fans from all over the country who will come and spend several days in the lake area to take part in the event. Some resorts and lodging facilities have already received inquiries, according to tourism officials.

The Tri-County Lodging Association is contributing $25,000 designated for marketing the event that will follow the Shoot-Out races held in late August.

A regatta permit is pending with the Missouri Water Patrol. Safety issues will be addressed by the Water Patrol and Osage Beach and Lake Ozark fire protection districts.



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Great report. For a lake race LOTO is an outstanding addition to the OSS schedule.

With Global warming should be about a degree hotter than last year!

Absolutely awesome! Probably the nicest time of the year for boating.

How far is this site from Kansas City?

363 mi (about 6 hours 20 min) .....sorry wrong race this was to Greers Lake Ferry Ark.

It's about 180 miles from Kansas City (assuming you mean the airport), and about 160 miles from the Saint Louis airport.

I read that there is a NASCAR/Busch race in KC that weekend. It might be an opportunity to chase some sponsors.

I think it's like 90 miles from the Springfield, MO airport.

that is the nascar race weekend in kansas.... about 170 miles from race track to race course....