Hi Rick, yes I agree the SV race was the best race that day. That was the only reason I came by boat to watch was to see the SV boats race. I could not tell as a spectator what was going on. I came home and listened to the replay on Talkoffshore.com and Martin S. said Shogren and Yatchs missed the turn and Boxer and Lucas got by. that is the only place I got my info from. thanks for posting and giviing me a inside the cockpit view.
Mike

Way to go Rick!!! Outstanding on another great and hard fought win for the Lucas/Skater 399!!!
When are the Kilo's going to be held this year? Are they going to be at Reggie's again? That should be interesting, to say the least.
I predict a Skater Kilo record at Washington, NC any other takers?

Nice job, Ben

The Skaters looked great on the course. Actually all of the SuperV's looked good. That was the only race worth watching and you could kinda tell watch was going on. It was close the whole way.
Kilo's are at Reggies this year from what the SBI site say's. You think Reggie is goona be beat in his backyard...he'll pump in special water just for his boats! haha...just a joke!
see ya!

Way to go Rick, you really work hard in sitting up a boat. You told me in Ft. Lauderdale that the boat is comming along, well I guess the time has come. See you in Dania, we havent been out racing due to engine problems.

Hmm.....

Yo Mike - We thought you were there w/ your buds to watch the P5 race? David and Brian

Nice work Rick!!!!! Stay in it no matter what. You have proven that many times over the years including a word title. NEVER EVER STOP.
MD

Congrats Rick

Sarasota boat race displays power and compassion
MIKE COULTER
Special to the Herald

TED MASE/Special to The Herald
"The Berman Group" race team passes by spectators during the Off Shore Grand Prix race along Lido Beach on Sunday. SARASOTA - With engines roaring, an international field of super-powered speedboats skipped like stones across the smooth water just off of Lido Key.

This year marked the 22nd running of the Suncoast Offshore Super Boat Grand Prix. It is a race that has been referred to as the Indy 500 of boat racing and the similarities, much like the boats, proved hard to miss.

Two races were scheduled for the Sunday event, with eight different classes of boats represented. But, with inclement weather on the horizon, the races were combined for an action-packed 34-boat field.

The boats ranged from 3,000-horsepower, custom speed machines, to unmodified factory models, and it was quickly obvious which one most fans preferred.

The Budweiser Select Offshore Race Team garnered the lion's share of attention, thundering to a repeat of last year's first place finish in the Superboat Unlimited class.

Racing on the strength of twin 1,500 horsepower, supercharged engines, the Bud Select boat ripped around the 6.5-mile course at an average speed of just under 100 mph.

"I bet he's hitting 165 on the straightaways," said Arnold Martin, who made the trip from St. Petersburg to watch the race. "I've watched a lot of these races, and he's cooking pretty good."

Bruce Kruglick and David Branch, who made up the Sarasota-based team Muscle also had a good showing, placing second in the highly competitive Super Vee division.

"Every driver out there wants to win every day," Kruglick said after the race. "But we only got beat by 7 seconds, and we're just starting to get the boat dialed in.

"This team has won multiple championships and I think we'll have a great shot at another one when the season winds up in November," Kruglick added.

Since the start of the Grand Prix Festival proceeds from the race, as well as the rest of the events, have been donated to the Florida Center and the Suncoast Foundation. Over the last 20 years $8 million worth of buildings have been donated to the organizations, which provide assistance to handicapped children.

At the awards ceremony the event's importance was stressed by Stan Lane, spokesman for Super Boat International Productions.

"This is one of our favorite races," said Lane, "not just because it is a great place to come and race, but because we are so happy to help out the kids. Really, that's what it's all about."

After receiving Muscle's award, Kruglick told the audience that the crew would donate their winnings to the children's programs.

"This is our hometown race," said Kruglick. "I've been racing here since 1992, and as long as I can walk I'm going to keep coming back. I've never taken a cent from this one."

Although the spirit of the day was one of competition, the overall perspective from competitors and fans alike was one of togetherness.

"I've been coming here for quite a few years," said Sarasota resident Don Lewis, who watched the race while his wife and two children played on the beach. "It's always a part of Fourth of July in Sarasota."

Race results

Manufacturer Production 5

1st: Crazy Chicken P5-33

2nd: America's Guitar P5-99

3rd: V&M Motorsports P5-17

Manufacturer Production 4

1st: Great Adventure P4-9

2nd: Don't Blink P4-71

3rd: Pump It P4-42

Manufacturer Production 3

1st: Predator Racing P3-41

2nd: The Berman Group P3-66

3rd: Marine Tech P3-1

Manufacturer Production 2

1st: Shamoo P2-76

Factory 1

1st: Team Extreme F1-7

2nd: Team Velocity F14

3rd: Venom Powerboats F112

Stock

1st: Miccosukee Indian Gaming S-30

2nd: Deep V Cats S-12

3rd: Catattack S-3

Super Cat

1st: Showtime 69

2nd: Pour It On 60

Superboat Vee Limited

1st: Extreme Liquid Assets 32

Super Vee

1st: Lucas Oil 7

2nd: Muscle 50

3rd: Joe Boxer Patron 57

Superboat Vee Unlimited

1st: Cintron 2

2nd: Instigator 22

3rd: Rio Roses 15

Superboat

1st: BTM Marine 12

Superboat Unlimited

1st: Budweiser Select 1

Special Awards

1st Overall: Budweiser Select, 98.25 mph, elapsed time 55:05

Outstanding performance: P2-76 Shamoo

Instigator has moved up to SUPER VEE UNLIMITED ?

That's great news!

Now perhaps we should see some real competition in that class for the Worlds!

What boat is the Cintron 2 ?