Today I was invited to attend the LAST EVER Copeland's Motor Sports Race Team Christmas Party. I can truthfully say it was not a joyful party , but a somber gathering of some of the most loyal and dedicated team members .Scott Barnhart
has been there some22 years plus. Tara,(Scotts spouse) was Big Al's secretary Then she was Scotts mentor, supervisor, and social director. Then before that there was Bill Sirois , Jerry Gilbreath, Bob Idoni, and Denny Higina, Some of the Greatest names in Offshore. That takes us all the way back to either 1979 or 1980. (I have worked for or around all of them except for Bob Idoni)
Anyway the Fat Lady has sung Dixie and it has all come to a close. The family has decided to pull the plug on the Phenomenon. Which was Big Al's dream. And go in a different direction. We can only hope that some dedicated Boat racer with deep pockets would come along and take up the Dream that Al started.
RIP BIG AL.
Mike Lee

wow what a shame. Alot of offshore biggest names were part of Al's legacy.

my first job as a 14 year old kid in Paramus nj was part of his legacy,....
little did I know at the time
how much more to it there was!

Wow, really hate to hear that. Found these pics in my collection from Sarasota 2010.





Believe they made a kilo run attempt that year. I recall they scuffed a sponsor tip on the seawall bringing Phenomenon back into the crane. I'd have been all upset over that, but they said "it's just a little glass and paint, she'll be back on the water tomorrow.." Also hope to see someone pick up where they left off.

Last few time passing the toys in the show room have been disappearing. Sad to see remember all the boats as a kid saying ill have one one day.

what a shame

Copeland Motorsports has been the inspiration for a lot of teams. . ...AMF (Haggin) was formed out of that nostalgia and passion for the wild side of offshore and while we don't have the parties, toys or quite the circus we used to... Miss Geico is a product of that passion for Offshore racing that Copland made so famous.

As for Phenomenon.... I still believe that project could work with the right people involved.

I hope we see it happen.

I can see them closing "Copeland Motor Sports" seeing that Al Copeland senior is no longer with us but I can't beleive that Al Copeland Jr. is throwing in the towel on his Dad's dream. Where they are all at today is because of Al Copeland Sr., he made it all possible and I just couldn't imagine not fulfilling my fathers dream of breaking the speed record with Phenomenon. As a Tribute to Al Copeland, his family "MUST" break the speed record with Phenomenon or go broke trying in their fathers memory.

Definitely a sad day for the team. Best wishes to Scotty and Tara. Now that you have free time, come see us on E-Dock and knock back a few