Offshoreonly.com - Destin World Cup will return next year

Destin World Cup will return next year

Author: Tina Harbuck
Destin, FL 11/13/2007 - It looked like the Fourth of July on the beaches of Destin this past weekend as droves of people turned out to watch the Destin World Cup.
With temperatures in the mid-80s and the Gulf of Mexico calm as a lake, 33 Offshore Super Series powerboats ripped roared across the water as the crowds took it all in.

People watched from the beach, from inside restaurants and condominiums that overlooked the Gulf, and even from the water. More than a 100 boats were on the Gulf just on the outside perimeter of the race course for a close-up view.
All in all it was a great weekend for boat racing.

“We’re very happy the way it all turned out,” said Destin World Cup Chairman Greg Featherston Monday morning.

The event was so well received that organizers have already secured a commitment from race officials that they will return next year.

Not only was the World Cup fun to watch for the spectator, but it was good for business during what is considered the off-season.

“It was a nice economic impact to our community,” said Darrel Jones, executive director of Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council.

“It was good business for the area and we’re excited that it happened ... we had a good turnout.”

But to make it all happen it took a lot of coordination between various venues, Featherston said.

There was the Race Village and boat headquarters located at Destin Commons, where spectators could come and view the boats as well as talk to the drivers and throttlemen.

Then there was the Wet Pits located at Legendary Marina, where the boats were lifted by crane in an out of the water.

Race control, was located in a high-rise condominium, where they kept watch over the race.

HaborWalk Marina was the venue for the safety and rescue teams that were on the water during the races.

And Destin Airport got in on the action with five helicopters that were on the race course daily.

“It took all venues operating together,” Featherston said.

The racing wrapped on Sunday afternoon with an awards banquet at Destin Commons.

OSS World Champions are as follow:
Turbine Extreme - Miss Geico; Marc Granet, driver; Scott Begovich, throttleman; average speed 95.29 mph.
Cat Supercharged - Hooters/Bass Pro Shop; Steve Page, driver; Joey Gratton, throttleman, average speed 108.28 mph.
Cat Lite - AMSOIL; Paul Whittier, driver; Bob Teague, throttleman; 100.91 mph.
Cat Outboard - TNT; Paul Whittier, driver; Gary Ballough, throttleman; 89.7 mph.
Vee Lite - Wild Ride; Larry Kostelac Throttles and Ben Hendrick Driver; 81.1 mph.
Vee - Yachts/Fountain; Mike Seebold, driver; Michael Karsenti, throttleman; 89.47 mph.
Cat Extreme - CRC; Mike DeFrees, driver; Jeff Harris, throttleman; 106.86 mph.
Vee Extreme - Honey Party; Paul Sinclair, driver; Richard Carr, throttleman; 84.28 mph.