GREEN FLAG AT THE FORT!!!
Ft. Lauderdale Takes the Lead as the next
APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Series Event
9/5/03 - Race Team Update

The Green Flag means Go for the Ft. Lauderdale Offshore Gran Prix, slated for October 3rd & 4th, 2003, as the event throttles into the fast lane and takes the lead in the APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Series Line-up.

As the Grand Bahamas Race springs into the 2004 line-up, the formerly scheduled September race has been moved to the weekend of April 16th - 18th, 2004. That leaves the course cleared for 80 National Competitors to hit the shores of the Atlantic in pursuit of the prestigious APBA Offshore National Championship Title.

The 2003 Ft. Lauderdale Offshore Gran Prix Racer Entry manual will be available online by Monday, September 8th, 2003 at the official website for the race, www.ftlauderdaleoffshoregranprix.com.

Race competitors are urged to download the packet, marked 9/4/03, and read all information carefully, as the event details and regulations have been updated.

Deadline for ALL ENTRIES will be 9/26/03, so please fill out the appropriate forms marked as immediate needs, specifically, the Entry Cover Page, Hotel Reservation Form, APBA Entry Form and Dry Pit Reservation Form in the Racer Manual and fax in as quickly as possible.

All questions should be referred to [email protected] or Tel/Fax 954-796-9226.



The Child SMILE America Tour® presents
The 2003 Ft. Lauderdale Offshore Gran Prix
to benefit Kids In Distress
Friday, October 3rd & Saturday, October 4th, 2003
An APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Tour National Event
And part of the APBA Offshore Southeast Divisional Points Series

RACE HEADQUARTERS & the NEW Auto Toy Store Thunder Row Race Pits
RADISSON BAHIA MAR BEACH RESORT & YACHTING CENTER
801 Seabreeze Boulevard (A-1-A), Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
Telephone (954) 764-2233 Email www.bahiamar.net

Home of Race Headquarters, Entry & Registration, VIP & Media Center, Credentials, Drivers Meetings, Physicals, The New AUTO TOY STORE Thunder Row Pit Area, Docks, Cranes, Fueling, Awards Cocktail Party. Pits open daily, $10 per person includes Souvenir Program Book. Kids 12 & under, Free.

Race Teams receive one standard room for Friday and Saturday with entry, plus one dock slip for Saturday. The hotel reservation form for the team complimentary room, plus any additional TEAM rooms is included into the Racer Manual.

Fans – The Radisson is offering Ft. Lauderdale Offshore Gran Prix Weekend Rates starting at $99.00 + tax per night. Dock slips by the half or full day are also available by calling the Radisson Marina. For Dock Slips, and Room Reservations, 954-764-2233. Ask Ft. Lauderdale Offshore Gran Prix Rate. Website reservations are available via www.bahiamar.net using the group code FLOGP. There are a limited number of suites also available.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
updated as of 9/3/03
NOTE: NEW TIMES ARE IN BOLD

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2ND - 2003
9:00am Race Headquarters Set Up
9:00am Parking Lot Fencing Set Up @ Radisson
Canopy Set Up @ Radisson
4:00pm - 8:00pm Boat Display Set Up

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3RD - 2003
8:00am - 10:00am Vendor Booth Set Up
8:00am - 5:00pm Public Ramps Open @ City Docks
9:00am - 6:00pm Racer Entry Check-In Open
Poker Hand Treasure Chest Card #1
9:00am - 6:00pm Inspections
9:00am - 3:00pm Raceboat Testing
9:00am - 6:00pm Credentials VIP’s, Media, Guests
10:00am - 8:00pm The New AUTO TOY STORE
THUNDER ROW Pits Open to Public
9:00am - 5:00pm Fueling & Cranes Open
4:00pm Charity & VIP Raceboat Rides
4:00pm - 7:00pm The New AUTO TOY STORE
THUNDER ROW
Meet the CREW Pit Party
5:30pm Paceboat, Rescue & Patrol Boats
Captains Meeting
Race Headquarters
6:00pm Racer Entry Check-In
and Inspections CLOSED
6:30pm MANDATORY Drivers Meeting
ALL TEAMS - Crew/Media Invited
Race Headquarters
Post Meeting PRESS Conference with Media
8:00pm Pits Closed to Public
8:00pm Friday Night Welcome Party
Location TBA
Poker Hand Treasure Chest Card #2
9:00pm Pits Closed to Racers


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4TH - 2003
7:30am - 8:30am Physicals - Race Headquarters
7am -10:30am Fueling - Hot Pits
7:00am - 5:00pm Cranes Open @ Radisson
Ramps Open @ City Docks
8:30am "Meet the Press" Networking
8:45am Racing Performance Ministries (RPM)
Service w/ Jim Black
9:00am - 5:00pm Credentials VIP’s, Media, Guests
9:00am - 8:00pm The New AUTO TOY STORE
THUNDER ROW Pits Open to Public
9:00am MANDATORY Drivers Meeting-
ALL CLASSES
9:30am Pilots Meeting - Location TBA
10:30am First Fleet Leave Docks
Start/Finish & Media Boat Leave
11:00am - 3:30pm Race Broadcast Party TBA
10:50am Paceboat On Water Showcase
11:00am Offshore Race 1- Cats (NEW)
12:00noon Second Fleet Leave Docks
12:30pm Offshore Race 2 - F 2 & Vee
1:30pm Final Fleet Leaves Docks (NEW)
2:00pm Offshore Race 3 – F1, P Class, One Design
Post Races Media Interviews & Photo Opportunities
Winning Teams Meet in Race Headquarters
30 minutes after final boats arrive
Post Races The New AUTO TOY STORE
THUNDER ROW Party in the Pits
Team Autographs
7:15pm Trophy Presentation - Center Stage
Poker Hand Treasure Chest Card #3
ALL TEAMS MUST BE PRESENT
8:00pm Pits Closed
7:45pm- 8:45pm Child SMILES Cocktail Party
Radisson Bahia Mar - Poolside
ALL RACE TEAMS

9:00pm Shooters Waterfront Cafe’ presents
Victory Lane Celebration Party *
Poker Hand Treasure Chest Card #5
*Still In effect in the event of Rain Out.
11:00pm Announcement of Prize Winners

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH - 2003
9:00am - Noon Breakdown of Displays
OR RAIN DATE FOR SATURDAY - SAME SCHEDULE APPLIES

The Ft. Lauderdale Offshore Gran Prix is presented by The New Auto Toy Store, The Aqua Toy Store, Anthony Aviation, Anthony Holdings International, the Radisson Bahia Mar Beach Resort & Yachting Center, Competitive EDGE Marine, PokerRun.com, Poker Runs America Magazine and the Offshore Racing Review.

Event Sponsors include Budweiser, Coca Cola Products, Hummerzine, Southern Racing Fuels, Sunoco, Freeze Frame Video, Jamie Russell's Professional Offshore Photography, Sea Tow, Elite Tent Company, Total Race Babe Apparel, Chief Engines, Cigarette Racing Team, Mares Power Cats, Racing Communications, Bio Kleen, Mercury Racing, Powerboat Magazine, Phoenix Custom Apparel, Sunstream Docks, Marine Technology, Inc., OffshoreOnly.com, FastBoatsInfo.com, Shooters Waterfront Café, the Best Western Marina and Featherlite's Universal Luxury Coaches.

The APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Tour is sponsored APBA Offshore Powerboat Racing LLC is sponsored by GMC Vortec, Donzi, GMC, Snap-On, Formula Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, Reindl Powerboats, the Lanier Harbor Marina Poker Run, Sterling Performance, Joule Yacht Transport, Bio Kleen Products, DART, KISS Cote, Heli broker, Racing Communications, Freeze Frame Video, Ashley Corporation, Marine Securities/Sternlock, Featherlite Luxury Coaches, Speedwear and Grand Bahama Island.