A top Superboat-class team will be missing from Super Boat International’s premiere event this year, https://www.offshoreonly.com/article...t-for-key-west.

From the OSO home page.

John Carbonell of SBI responded this morning to yesterday’s request for comment:

"Fast Response had leased a boat from Cleveland Construction to serve as the tow boat during the Clearwater National Championship Race," he said. "However, on Saturday, Cleveland Construction demanded that they also be allowed to launch a private boat to be used for their personal service on the course. This private boat was not part of the race event and was not covered under the race contracts or insurance policies covering the event.

"While Cleveland Construction could have launched their boat at a private facility and kept it within the spectator area as required of every other race team, they chose instead to pull the tow boat out of the race at the last minute and remove their team from the competition," he continued. "SBIP was able to make other tow boat arrangements and there was no impact on any of the races or race teams."

The above text is being added to the offshoreonly.com story.—Matt Trulio, speedonthewater.com.

No Geico and no C.C

I picked a **** first year to go. How big were the boats C.C. wanted craned in? The ramps were still open at the Seminole marina with the crane as well as at Bellair just down the road.

If true I agree with SBI as coverage is strict for insurance purpose and last min changes don't go too well for in place coverage. Also I saw the MCON team in their boat along the spectator fleet just as stated, not sure why that would be such a big issue.

I'm bummed too Nate but you'll still have a great time. 5 weeks out can't wait!

The News that Cleveland Construction has chosen to pull out of SBI is not good News for the Racers and the Race Fans, one less Super Cat to add to the excitement. Over the years since Mark Small got into racing with his sponsorship of "Traffic Light" with Evil Ed Smith and then moving up to the Supercat Class and purchased a new race boat and Medical boat for the races was great. I loved to see how he made such a big commitement to Offshore Powerboat Racing in a big way and added to the excitement of racing Super Cat and had his Medical boat at the races was a good time for me especially when he raced in the OPA at St. Clair, Port Huron/Sarnia and in Detroit/Windsor. When Cleveland Construction left the OPA to go and race with SBI, was a bummer for me like losing a friend because these were the only races that I attended every year and planned my calander around them. Whenever a Race Team leaves an organization, it is not a good thing and there can be many reasons why this happens but in this case it is because of an dispute between the two parties that does affect everyone one way or another, I had seen Marks Medical boat bringing in injured racer to get checked out and now there is one less safety boat, one less race boat and one less Race Team to pump money into the local economy and I mean lots of money. I hope that things work them selves out and it isn't the end of the Cleveland Construction Race Team and for me personally I wish they were racing back in the OPA so I could watch them once again. Andy

I don't think Cleveland "left OPA" there just hasn't been much Super Cat racing in OPA. The Super Cats kind of made a schedule of their own. I think the only OPA race that was on their schedule was LOTO Lake Race. The rest of their schedule was made up of SBI and Race World Offshore stops. I hope that changes because I would love to see the Super Cats back at St. Clair.

You mean there are Races there too
You are correct- it will be a Great time regardless- And don't forget to rent a scooter.

John runs SBI his way only and has no flex most of the time. Good or bad its his company. Im not shocked at either parties stance. If you don't like it you have the right to not be his customer.