Corpus Christi News and Video
10-14-2005 | 04:59 PM
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Corpus Christi News and Video
Here is a link to a news story with a video of interviews with Steve Curtis and Joey Gratton.
Corpus Press Here
Corpus Press Here
10-16-2005 | 09:03 AM
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Re: Corpus Christi News and Video
Powerboat group on fast track to success
Corpus Christi to host the OSSPRA national championship today
By Lee Goddard Caller-Times
October 16, 2005
It can be NASCAR on water, or a good fix for speed freaks.
All it took was a few disgruntled racers a couple of years ago to set up the whole thing.
The Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association will close its national championship today on the water in front of Memorial Coliseum with boats that can hit speeds up to 200 miles an hour. Elaine Motl, the owner of EM Marketing and the CEO for the series, said the organization was started In November 2003 when a group of boat owners got together to break out on their own.
"There was some disenchantment with the former organization (Super Cat)," Motl said. "The owners left that organization and formed their own. It was numerous things from a racer's point of view."
The breakaway group appointed Motl, a noted local race producer, the CEO and set out to boost their fledgling organization. Last year was the first racing season for the new group. This season, a television contract with the Outdoor Channel followed.
For any sports organization, a television contract is a form of legitimacy. The deal with the Outdoor Channel adds, Motl said, a potential 68 million viewers for the tape-delayed offerings. That, in turn, attracts possible sponsors and cities that might want to host events. Motl said the tour currently has four national-level sponsors to go with two tour sponsors.
The Outdoor Channel also is an outlet that caters to the prime demographic for powerboat racing. The target audience for events is usually male, between 18 and 55 and, in all likelihood, married.
Part of the appeal is to those who like any speed sports or racing in general. Another group that can be covered is those whose interest is in water sports. Of course, with the slowest category topping out at 100 miles an hour, this differs quite a bit from regattas.
"The racetrack is right on the water," said Motl, who also is acting as race producer this weekend. "This is an unusual happening for Corpus Christi; we don't get a lot of fast boats in the area."
So, the season is winding down and Motl declared the second go-round a success from the crowd standpoint. What remains is the crowning of national champions in six categories. In some cases, there could be two winners in each category today. First, there the actual race winners. Second, even if they don't win, some teams could emerge with a national title based on points accumulated so far this season.
World champions, with those from various world powerboat circuits competing, will be crowned in St. Petersburg, Fla. next month.
And, while this year Corpus Christi turned into an emergency host after Pensacola, Fla. suffered the brunt of Hurricane Dennis, Motl said that will not be the case next season - the 2006 championships will be ready to go in Corpus Christi next year.
POWERBOATS QUALIFYING
Boats number in parentheses. Racing today.
OSS Vee Category
1. (8) Spiderman 1:55:62
2. (22) Instigator 1:57:32
3. (88) Fury 1:57:76
4. (59) Lightning Strikes 1:58:91
OSS Cat Category
1. (7) Team CRC 1:39:47
2. (11) Bacardi Silver 1:43:86
3. (57) Nichols Offshore 1:46:72
4. (5) WHM 1:46:94
5. (84) Popeyes 1:47:44
Corpus Christi to host the OSSPRA national championship today
By Lee Goddard Caller-Times
October 16, 2005
It can be NASCAR on water, or a good fix for speed freaks.
All it took was a few disgruntled racers a couple of years ago to set up the whole thing.
The Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association will close its national championship today on the water in front of Memorial Coliseum with boats that can hit speeds up to 200 miles an hour. Elaine Motl, the owner of EM Marketing and the CEO for the series, said the organization was started In November 2003 when a group of boat owners got together to break out on their own.
"There was some disenchantment with the former organization (Super Cat)," Motl said. "The owners left that organization and formed their own. It was numerous things from a racer's point of view."
The breakaway group appointed Motl, a noted local race producer, the CEO and set out to boost their fledgling organization. Last year was the first racing season for the new group. This season, a television contract with the Outdoor Channel followed.
For any sports organization, a television contract is a form of legitimacy. The deal with the Outdoor Channel adds, Motl said, a potential 68 million viewers for the tape-delayed offerings. That, in turn, attracts possible sponsors and cities that might want to host events. Motl said the tour currently has four national-level sponsors to go with two tour sponsors.
The Outdoor Channel also is an outlet that caters to the prime demographic for powerboat racing. The target audience for events is usually male, between 18 and 55 and, in all likelihood, married.
Part of the appeal is to those who like any speed sports or racing in general. Another group that can be covered is those whose interest is in water sports. Of course, with the slowest category topping out at 100 miles an hour, this differs quite a bit from regattas.
"The racetrack is right on the water," said Motl, who also is acting as race producer this weekend. "This is an unusual happening for Corpus Christi; we don't get a lot of fast boats in the area."
So, the season is winding down and Motl declared the second go-round a success from the crowd standpoint. What remains is the crowning of national champions in six categories. In some cases, there could be two winners in each category today. First, there the actual race winners. Second, even if they don't win, some teams could emerge with a national title based on points accumulated so far this season.
World champions, with those from various world powerboat circuits competing, will be crowned in St. Petersburg, Fla. next month.
And, while this year Corpus Christi turned into an emergency host after Pensacola, Fla. suffered the brunt of Hurricane Dennis, Motl said that will not be the case next season - the 2006 championships will be ready to go in Corpus Christi next year.
POWERBOATS QUALIFYING
Boats number in parentheses. Racing today.
OSS Vee Category
1. (8) Spiderman 1:55:62
2. (22) Instigator 1:57:32
3. (88) Fury 1:57:76
4. (59) Lightning Strikes 1:58:91
OSS Cat Category
1. (7) Team CRC 1:39:47
2. (11) Bacardi Silver 1:43:86
3. (57) Nichols Offshore 1:46:72
4. (5) WHM 1:46:94
5. (84) Popeyes 1:47:44
10-17-2005 | 08:53 AM
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Re: Corpus Christi News and Video
Malfunction slows but can't stop Spiderman
Powerboating team takes OSS Vee crown with 5th-place finish
By Stuart Duncan Caller-Times
October 17, 2005
Spiderman finally met its match on Sunday.
Team Spiderman-Adrenaline led for most of the way during the Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association's national championships Sunday before experiencing a problem with its boat. Team Instigator - which was tracking Team Spiderman - took advantage by pushing into the lead and then holding off the Fury by eight seconds to win the OSS Vee category's race Sunday on the water in front of Memorial Coliseum.
Because of a 33-point lead over its nearest competitor in the overall season standings entering the race, however, Team Spiderman-Adrenaline was able to use its fifth-place finish Sunday to claim the national championship.
The team - consisting of Ken Bowen and Scot Conrad - advances to the world championships, which will be Nov. 14-20 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Sunday wasn't Spiderman's day, however, as an unidentified boat malfunction caused the team to lose its lead on Lap 8 and ultimately the race.
Team Spiderman-Adrenaline owner Todd Welling believed there was a problem with a sensor on the boat.
"We still don't know what happened, " said Conrad, the team's throttleman.
Whatever caused the boat to breakdown, it helped Team Instigator (which finished in 48 minutes, 18 seconds) take the checkered flag in the 12-lap race.
"I don't know what to say - Thank God (that the Spiderman team's boat) broke or what," Team Instigator throttle man Joe Sgro said.
"It was a great race - great competition," Team Instigator driver Brett Furshman said. "It can't get any better than (to win this race)."
Sgro said Team Instigator's boat is for sale, so it is unclear whether there will be a rematch between the teams at the world championships.
Team Motley Crew and Team CRC accumulated enough points with victories in their respective race categories Sunday to join Spiderman-Adrenaline as national champions.
Team CRC (59:53) held off WHM (1:00.23) in a thriller to win the OSS Cat race by less than a minute.
"That was the funnest race we've had all year," Team CRC driver Mike De Frees said. "It was a battle turn-after turn - it was unbelievable. Corpus Christi is a great place to race."
"(WHF driver) Billy (Mauff) has been around awhile, and he showed us some new moves out there today," Team CRC throttleman Jeff Harris said. "Thankfully, we were able to get by them."
Team Motley Crew (45:50), meanwhile, cruised past second-place Ettore (50:16) to win the OSS Cat Lite race.
"It's been a Cinderella season for us, and this is the best way to go out," Team Motley Crew throttleman Ron Roman said. "This race wasn't handed to us - we worked hard for it."
There were two injuries during that OSS Cat Lite race on Lap 7 Sunday, although neither appeared serious. Team Page Racing driver Steve Page and throttleman Joey Gratton were transported to a hospital Sunday for precautionary reasons anyway.
Wildcard/Genpro (finishing in 39:20 during the OSS Vee Lite race), Loan Shark (OSS Cat Outboard, 37:20) and Bacardi Silver (OSS Extreme, 31:15) won their respective category races as well Sunday.
The national championships were moved to Corpus Christi this year because of Hurricane Dennis' impact on Pensacola, Fla. Corpus Christi is expected to host next year's national championships as well.
Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association's national championships
Sunday's results
OSS Vee Lite Category - 1. #4 Wildcard/Genpro 39:20; 2. #83 Screamin' Eagle, 39:37; 3. #47 Team IMCO 40:53; 4. #29 Typhoon 40:56 (NOTE: in 6 laps); 5. #5 Wild Ride, 22:59 (5 laps); 6. Laveycraft, 23:27 (5 laps).
OSS Cat Outboard Category - 1. Loan Shark, 37:27; 2. Bermuda Berrycuda, 20:09; 3. MOJO, 8:35 (2 laps).
OSS Vee Category - 1. #22 Instigator, 48:18; 2. #88 Fury, 48:26; 3. #99 The Switch, 48:39; 4. #59 Lightning Strikes, 50:04; 5. #8 Spiderman, 31:58 (8 laps); 6. Pier 24:47.
OSS Extreme Category - 1. #1 Bacardi Silver, 31:15; 2. #21 DF Young, 31:32.
OSS Cat Category - 1. #7 Team CRC, 59:53; 2. #5 WHM, 1:00.23; 3. #84 Popeye, 1:00.33; 4. #57 Nichols Offshore, 38:37 (10 laps); 5. #11 Bacardi Silver, 7:14 (2 laps).
OSS Cat Lite Category - #00 Motley Crew, 45:50; 2. #60 Ettore, 50:16; 3. #13 Popeye's Famous Chicken and Biscuits, 55:22; 4. #31 Page Racing, 26:17 (7 laps); 5. #2 Peppers 7:43 (2 laps).
Powerboating team takes OSS Vee crown with 5th-place finish
By Stuart Duncan Caller-Times
October 17, 2005
Spiderman finally met its match on Sunday.
Team Spiderman-Adrenaline led for most of the way during the Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association's national championships Sunday before experiencing a problem with its boat. Team Instigator - which was tracking Team Spiderman - took advantage by pushing into the lead and then holding off the Fury by eight seconds to win the OSS Vee category's race Sunday on the water in front of Memorial Coliseum.
Because of a 33-point lead over its nearest competitor in the overall season standings entering the race, however, Team Spiderman-Adrenaline was able to use its fifth-place finish Sunday to claim the national championship.
The team - consisting of Ken Bowen and Scot Conrad - advances to the world championships, which will be Nov. 14-20 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Sunday wasn't Spiderman's day, however, as an unidentified boat malfunction caused the team to lose its lead on Lap 8 and ultimately the race.
Team Spiderman-Adrenaline owner Todd Welling believed there was a problem with a sensor on the boat.
"We still don't know what happened, " said Conrad, the team's throttleman.
Whatever caused the boat to breakdown, it helped Team Instigator (which finished in 48 minutes, 18 seconds) take the checkered flag in the 12-lap race.
"I don't know what to say - Thank God (that the Spiderman team's boat) broke or what," Team Instigator throttle man Joe Sgro said.
"It was a great race - great competition," Team Instigator driver Brett Furshman said. "It can't get any better than (to win this race)."
Sgro said Team Instigator's boat is for sale, so it is unclear whether there will be a rematch between the teams at the world championships.
Team Motley Crew and Team CRC accumulated enough points with victories in their respective race categories Sunday to join Spiderman-Adrenaline as national champions.
Team CRC (59:53) held off WHM (1:00.23) in a thriller to win the OSS Cat race by less than a minute.
"That was the funnest race we've had all year," Team CRC driver Mike De Frees said. "It was a battle turn-after turn - it was unbelievable. Corpus Christi is a great place to race."
"(WHF driver) Billy (Mauff) has been around awhile, and he showed us some new moves out there today," Team CRC throttleman Jeff Harris said. "Thankfully, we were able to get by them."
Team Motley Crew (45:50), meanwhile, cruised past second-place Ettore (50:16) to win the OSS Cat Lite race.
"It's been a Cinderella season for us, and this is the best way to go out," Team Motley Crew throttleman Ron Roman said. "This race wasn't handed to us - we worked hard for it."
There were two injuries during that OSS Cat Lite race on Lap 7 Sunday, although neither appeared serious. Team Page Racing driver Steve Page and throttleman Joey Gratton were transported to a hospital Sunday for precautionary reasons anyway.
Wildcard/Genpro (finishing in 39:20 during the OSS Vee Lite race), Loan Shark (OSS Cat Outboard, 37:20) and Bacardi Silver (OSS Extreme, 31:15) won their respective category races as well Sunday.
The national championships were moved to Corpus Christi this year because of Hurricane Dennis' impact on Pensacola, Fla. Corpus Christi is expected to host next year's national championships as well.
Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association's national championships
Sunday's results
OSS Vee Lite Category - 1. #4 Wildcard/Genpro 39:20; 2. #83 Screamin' Eagle, 39:37; 3. #47 Team IMCO 40:53; 4. #29 Typhoon 40:56 (NOTE: in 6 laps); 5. #5 Wild Ride, 22:59 (5 laps); 6. Laveycraft, 23:27 (5 laps).
OSS Cat Outboard Category - 1. Loan Shark, 37:27; 2. Bermuda Berrycuda, 20:09; 3. MOJO, 8:35 (2 laps).
OSS Vee Category - 1. #22 Instigator, 48:18; 2. #88 Fury, 48:26; 3. #99 The Switch, 48:39; 4. #59 Lightning Strikes, 50:04; 5. #8 Spiderman, 31:58 (8 laps); 6. Pier 24:47.
OSS Extreme Category - 1. #1 Bacardi Silver, 31:15; 2. #21 DF Young, 31:32.
OSS Cat Category - 1. #7 Team CRC, 59:53; 2. #5 WHM, 1:00.23; 3. #84 Popeye, 1:00.33; 4. #57 Nichols Offshore, 38:37 (10 laps); 5. #11 Bacardi Silver, 7:14 (2 laps).
OSS Cat Lite Category - #00 Motley Crew, 45:50; 2. #60 Ettore, 50:16; 3. #13 Popeye's Famous Chicken and Biscuits, 55:22; 4. #31 Page Racing, 26:17 (7 laps); 5. #2 Peppers 7:43 (2 laps).
