Powerboat Race Will Benefit Sailing Center
Residents with northward gulf views will have a bird's eye view of the Super Boat International race on October 4th. Boats will be racing at speeds up to 140 mph off Clearwater Beach on October 4th when the offshore powerboating race comes to town. Some proceeds from the race will benefit the Clearwater Community Sailing Center located in Sand Key.
Super Boat International of Key West has been staging races for 30 years and is known for its annual races in Key West, Sarasota and New York City. It recently struck a deal with CBS to broadcast the Clearwater race and 7 others. The races feature 50-foot boats with F-16 jet canopies and 4,800-horsepower engines. During races, they reach speeds of 100 to 140 mph, depending on weather conditions. Super Boat International plans 9 races this year, the 1st was last weekend in Miami.
Super Boat International says it has applied for a race permit from the U.S. Coast Guard, and it expects to get one. Spotters in helicopters will watch for manatees and sea turtles, and will stop a race if necessary and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium will be assisting.
The race on Sunday will be free and open to the public, around 40,000 spectators are expected. Free parties at Coachman Park and Pier 60, and a free concert and fireworks are also planned for the weekend.
Boats up to 50 feet long will race from Pier 60 north for about 2½ miles and back, doing multiple laps around the loop. 30 to 35 boats are expected to compete in two races. Powerboats and their pit crews will set up beginning Friday, Oct. 2, in Coachman Park, where the public can get a closer look at them. The plan is for them to launch from the nearby Seminole Boat Ramp.
Boats up to 50 feet long will race from Pier 60 north for about 2½ miles and back, doing multiple laps around the loop. 30 to 35 boats are expected to compete in two races. Powerboats and their pit crews will set up beginning Friday, Oct. 2, in Coachman Park, where the public can get a closer look at them. The plan is for them to launch from the nearby Seminole Boat Ramp.
Oct. 2: Racing boats set up in Coachman Park.
Oct. 3: Racers check out the course at regular speed.
Oct. 4: Two races between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
2 comments:
It's so rewarding to see my brain child taking its first steps! The gratitude in my heart for Frank Chivas and Brian Aungst, Sr., taking the ball and running with it, and to see it all coming together is overwhelming!
From the initial conversations with Ebe Bower the former VP of Tourism at the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and Sheila Cole the Executive Director of the Clearwater Beach Chamber, in Sept. last year. To the willingness on Kevin Dunbar's part, the Parks Director for the City of Clearwater, to let me run with the 'maybe' I got from him, instead of the previous ‘NO’s!
Once we had beaten out the competition from several other cities by sticking my neck out, to sign the letter of intent for the national championships! Not knowing how or if we could get it all done and paid for! It's a huge undertaking of faith for everyone involved.
The added benefit of Danny Gadarian's ambitions, to produce a television show, about the Super Boat International race series, which was going on unknown to all of us in Clearwater! Now CBS Sports is filming and will broadcast the event Saturday, November 28th, at 2 PM Eastern.
It has a life of its own now...
Thank you everyone for making this come true,
Ray Pusillo
the 'Instigator'
THe ENTIRE concept to race in Clearwater was Ray Pusillo's Idea ...period. Frank and team took it to their contacts and made it happen. I was at the initial meetings , Ray did not have the HP to get it done with OSS, he brought it to JC . Frank C added the political and capital punch,...it got done. Ray then worked to promote the event and assist where necessary.
Congrats on a successful event and thank you for the kind words
Marc
Miss GEICO
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