"Lightning on the Water" Atlantic City Race Coverage
09-18-2010, 04:08 AM
#11
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Powerboat race organizers hope "Lightning" strikes it big as competition returns to Atlantic City on Sunday
ATLANTIC CITY — When the powerboats scream across the water on Sunday, you could be seeing the revitalization of a sport in the region.
The Offshore Powerboat Association will host "Lightning on the Water" in Atlantic City, a Grand Prix event that's part of OPA's racing series. This is the first year powerboats have raced in Atlantic City since 2004.
"We have no intention of going away," said OPA president Ed Smith, 53, who races a 38-foot boat named Whazzup. "We are going to do this for many years in the future. I am looking at least another five years."
The races begin Sunday at noon and will take place in the ocean from in front of Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort to the Showboat Casino Hotel. The start and finish line are in front of the Steer Pier. The races will air on the Versus television channel in December.
On Saturday, fans can see the boats and meet drivers at the Frank S. Farley State Marina across from the Trump Marina Hotel Casino from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The powerboat races come at an important time for Atlantic City.
Once Labor Day hits, the area gets quieter. City officials rely on conventions and events to bring in more visitors for the offseason.
No one is sure how many spectators this weekend's event is going to draw, especially since marketing began in earnest just two months ago when the organization knew they would have enough money to run the event.
OPA jump-started the economic push by reserving a block of 200 rooms at Trump Marina Hotel Casino.
"I think ‘Lightning on the Water' will help bring in a different ............
Read more:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/n...cc4c002e0.html
.
ATLANTIC CITY — When the powerboats scream across the water on Sunday, you could be seeing the revitalization of a sport in the region.
The Offshore Powerboat Association will host "Lightning on the Water" in Atlantic City, a Grand Prix event that's part of OPA's racing series. This is the first year powerboats have raced in Atlantic City since 2004.
"We have no intention of going away," said OPA president Ed Smith, 53, who races a 38-foot boat named Whazzup. "We are going to do this for many years in the future. I am looking at least another five years."
The races begin Sunday at noon and will take place in the ocean from in front of Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort to the Showboat Casino Hotel. The start and finish line are in front of the Steer Pier. The races will air on the Versus television channel in December.
On Saturday, fans can see the boats and meet drivers at the Frank S. Farley State Marina across from the Trump Marina Hotel Casino from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The powerboat races come at an important time for Atlantic City.
Once Labor Day hits, the area gets quieter. City officials rely on conventions and events to bring in more visitors for the offseason.
No one is sure how many spectators this weekend's event is going to draw, especially since marketing began in earnest just two months ago when the organization knew they would have enough money to run the event.
OPA jump-started the economic push by reserving a block of 200 rooms at Trump Marina Hotel Casino.
"I think ‘Lightning on the Water' will help bring in a different ............
Read more:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/n...cc4c002e0.html
.
09-18-2010, 09:34 AM
#12
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09-19-2010, 07:04 PM
#14
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Unfortunately not.
No advertising revenue coming in to support the Broadcast.
No advertising revenue coming in to support the Broadcast.
09-19-2010, 07:06 PM
#15
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The race was called off when the course was not able to be set up in the location for the permit was issued for. Waves were breaking about a mile offshore so they thought they could simply move the course 2 miles offshore.
None the less, it simply was just too big of water to have our volunteers to sit anchor in all day.
One volunteer's depth sounder registered a 13 FT drop.
13 ft + swells and spectators no longer being able to see the event, it was a great idea to call it off.
Safety for all needs to come first with these events.
With last minute changes to where I was going to shoot from, I had a gut feeling the event was going to get called off. After many offers to get on numerous boats I had decided to head for the Steel Pier where I would have been provided exclusive access. On my way to the Pier, I get a call they were moving the course out 2 miles. I then again change my plans and head for the Inlet because this would have been the only opportunity to shoot any of the boats and then I would have called it a day....
The race was called and I decided to shoot all of the Volunteer Boats as they came in. After all, how often do they get a photo of their boats?
A particular Donzi had decided to come out and make the miserable day I was having to a much better one !
I have a full sequence of shots of this Donzi running inside the breakers until he ran out of room and then he pierced the bow thru the curl of a wave that essentially ended up swallowing the entire boat!
It amazed me to see this boat did not roll over. Finally after the wave crushed the whole boat, the boat came shooting out the back of the wave !!!
Fortunately they came out of it with a good soaking and made their way out of the surf and returned back to the inlet.
I caught up with him and some friends with their Apaches and OL. I go them as well to go make a run at the inlet for a photo shoot.
At least my day was not a total loss, especially since how it started out......
Pics to be on : http://www.Sharkey-Images.com
soon !!!
NJOPRA thank you for pulling this entire event together with such short notice.. Perhaps next week were can start working on the Race for June 24th thru the 26th, 2011 ???
Next stop, Solomon's Island, MD in 2 weeks !
None the less, it simply was just too big of water to have our volunteers to sit anchor in all day.
One volunteer's depth sounder registered a 13 FT drop.
13 ft + swells and spectators no longer being able to see the event, it was a great idea to call it off.
Safety for all needs to come first with these events.
With last minute changes to where I was going to shoot from, I had a gut feeling the event was going to get called off. After many offers to get on numerous boats I had decided to head for the Steel Pier where I would have been provided exclusive access. On my way to the Pier, I get a call they were moving the course out 2 miles. I then again change my plans and head for the Inlet because this would have been the only opportunity to shoot any of the boats and then I would have called it a day....
The race was called and I decided to shoot all of the Volunteer Boats as they came in. After all, how often do they get a photo of their boats?
A particular Donzi had decided to come out and make the miserable day I was having to a much better one !
I have a full sequence of shots of this Donzi running inside the breakers until he ran out of room and then he pierced the bow thru the curl of a wave that essentially ended up swallowing the entire boat!
It amazed me to see this boat did not roll over. Finally after the wave crushed the whole boat, the boat came shooting out the back of the wave !!!
Fortunately they came out of it with a good soaking and made their way out of the surf and returned back to the inlet.
I caught up with him and some friends with their Apaches and OL. I go them as well to go make a run at the inlet for a photo shoot.
At least my day was not a total loss, especially since how it started out......
Pics to be on : http://www.Sharkey-Images.com
soon !!!
NJOPRA thank you for pulling this entire event together with such short notice.. Perhaps next week were can start working on the Race for June 24th thru the 26th, 2011 ???
Next stop, Solomon's Island, MD in 2 weeks !
09-20-2010, 06:11 AM
#16
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09-20-2010, 06:16 AM
#17
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09-20-2010, 06:19 AM
#18
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Thank you Cotner Trailers.com for making one of the best Pit displays I have seen !!! 
Gold Member
09-20-2010, 07:23 PM
#20
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After seeing these, everyone will understand why the race was called off...
