Super Boat Iinternational Key West Worlds Preview

A great preview of the SBI Worlds from Matt Trulio, writer for Offshore Only

Look for Miss GEICO to repeat as the SBI Unlimited class World Champion in Key West in November. (Photo by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.)

A month after the Super Boat International National Champions are crowned in the organization’s various classes—and that happened two days ago in Clearwater, Fla.—an entire “mini season” called the SBI Key West Offshore World Championships begins. Three days of racing off the fabled Florida city produce the world-title holders, and it doesn’t matter who won what during the regular season.

Or does it? In terms of points carried over or anything like that, no. In the SBI Key West Worlds, everyone starts from scratch. World titles are determined by the results in races Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. But when it comes to handicapping and picking favorites in each class, yes, it makes sense to look at what happened during the season.

So here’s my take on how it will play out in five classes in this year’s brand-new mini season.

Read more;

DOMINANT RACE 2 WINS FOR FENDI RACING AND AQUASPORT

Sunday, 19 October, TERRACINA (Italy): Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella produced a breath taking performance to take their first win together in C1 at the team’s home Grand Prix, with Aquasport’s Daniel Cramphorn and Nico Huybens producing a totally dominant performance to win in V1.

Lining up in first and second at the start, Victory and LFF10 delivered a sensational opening lap with Fendi and Carpitella stealing the advantage from the pole-sitters immediately and leading them to the first turn, then holding them off in a nail biting run to the start-finish line as the two closed on each other and just inches apart going into turn one of lap 2, LFF10 coming out in front.

WINS FOR VICTORY AND CHAUDRON – TEAM ABU DHABI CRASH OUT

Sunday, 7 September, IBIZA: Victory and Chaudron produced the stand-out performances of the afternoon and dominated race 2 of the Mediterranean Grand Prix, cruising to emphatic victories in their respective classes in a dramatic race that was red flagged after Abu Dhabi crashed out at the first corner, both Faleh AL Mansoori and Rashed Al Tayer emerging unscathed from the upturned boat.

It was a bitter blow for Al Mansoori and Al Tayer on their debut Grand Prix outing in their new boat, and after going second quickest in qualifying earlier in the day were running in second spot behind Victory at the first turn when they hooked and went over.

VICTORY CRUISE HOME TO WIN RACE 1 – TOMMY ONE WINS IN V1

Saturday, 6 September: Thirteen boats lined up for the first race in over two decades with Class 1 catamarans and V1 monohulls running side-by-side, with Arif Al Zaffain and Nadir Bin Hendi carrying on from where they left off and last raced together in 2011, cruising to an easy victory in race 1 of the Mediterranean Grand Prix to win by a massive 49 second margin.

The Victory duo who earlier in the day shared the pole position spoils with LFF10, led from the start and were never challenged, going on to complete the 13 laps in 35:41.85s.

Despite matching the winners in qualifying Luca Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella could not match the sustained pace of the leader’s, but looked comfortable in second spot when they suddenly hit trouble on lap 9 and stopped.

From third place at the end of lap 1 Guido Cappellini and C1 rookie Mikhail Kitashev held off an initial challenge from Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski in Relekta-Zabo-Isiklar before opening out a comfortable advantage to move into and take second spot following the exit of LFF10.

The Relekta-Zabo-Isiklar crew in turn faced a race long challenge from Faleh Al Mansoori and Rashed Al Tayer in Team Abu Dhabi’s new MTI, who passed them on the final lap to take the chequered flag in third, only to be hit with a 25-second post-race penalty for destroying a turn buoy, handing the podium spot back to Isiklar and Zaborowski, the Abu Dhabi duo dropping to fifth behind LFF8-Polimersan.

The performance of the day came in V1 from the Tommy One crew of Maurizio Schepici and Stefano Bonanno who powered their way through the field from a long way back in fourth spot, first passing Bernico-New Star, then the early race leader’s Chaudron before setting their sights on and overhauling the pole sitters Antonio and Giuseppe Schiano in Karelpiu, to take the win in 36:33.39s.

CLASS 1 AND V1 SET FOR MEDITERRANEAN GRAND PRIX IN IBIZA

Monday, 1 September: The Spanish Island of Ibiza is all set to host the heavyweights of world powerboat racing when they take to the waters off Playa D’en Bossa for the Mediterranean Grand Prix on 5-7 September.

For the first time in over two decades catamarans and monohulls will race alongside each other in the UIM Class 1 and V1 World Powerboat Championships, with an anticipated 14-boats lining up as the revised new-look Championships format debuts in Ibiza and Class 1 returns to Spanish waters for the first time since 2006.

One Month Until the Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix In Cocoa Beach,Florida

We are less than a month away from the  5th annual Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix, better known as Thunder On Cocoa Beach, May 14-18, 2014.  Come on out and enjoy the festival like atmosphere, meet the race teams, watch the bikini contest and enjoy all the racing action taking place beachside between Cocoa Beach Pier & Lori Wilson Park.  See the complete schedule http://superboat.com/2014-cocoa-beach-schedule

More information; http://thunderoncocoabeach.com

A photo from last years Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix. 

Photo: Dave Crago

SBI-Season-Opener Wrap-Up: Strong Showing In Great Venue / Speed on the Water

While yesterday's Super Boat International season-opener technically happened off Englewood Beach, Fla., its inaugural Charlotte Harbor Grand Prix attracted a solid 30-boat field to the new venue, which drew rave reviews among the competitors. Considering that last year's SBI season-opener in Biloxi, Miss., pulled in just 12 boats, it's fair to say that the 2014 SBI offshore racing season is off to a good start with what was for all intents and purposes a "flat-water" event.  More; SBI-Season-Opener Wrap-Up: Strong Showing In Great Venue

Stihl bested a five-boat fleet to take the Superboat-class win in yesterday's SBI Charlotte Harbor season-opener. Photos courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

Inaugural Charlotte Harbor Super Boat Grand Prix - Unofficial Results

A great season opener on Sunday for Super Boat International racing in beautiful Charlotte Harbor, Florida. Unofficial results by class are listed below:

Production P3: 1 - Black Pearl, 2 - 2nd Amendment, 3 - The Developer

Production P4: 1 - Rum Runners, 2 - In Tone Crazy Chicken, 3 - Two Cruel, 4 - Dare Devil, 5 - Knot Crazy, 6 - Team Raven

Superboat Stock: 1- The Hulk / Redline Oil, 2 - Top Starz Energy Drinks, 3 - Porta Products, 4 - WSM Parts, 5 - SOS Venezuela, 6 - Rollin Vengeance

Superboat Vee: 1- Smoky Mountain Brewery, 2- Sun Print, 3 - Phantom, 4 - Scott Free Racing, 5 - Absolutely Not

Superboat: 1- Stihl, 2- Broadco, 3- Cleveland Construction, 4 - WHM, 5 - Autonation Racing For Cancer

Superboat Extreme: 1- Instigator

Superboat Unlimited: 1- Gasse, 2- CMS, 3- Lucas Oil Silverhook, 4- Miss Geico

 

Watch all the racing action at; http://new.livestream.com/sbi/charlotteharbor2014

Official results will be posted as soon as they become available. 

We will see you at the next SBI race for Thunder On Cocoa Beach in Cocoa Beach, Florida. http://thunderoncocoabeach.com

Charlotte Harbor Super Boat Grand Prix Three Weeks Away

We are only three weeks away until the first Super Boat International race of the season with the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Super Boat Grand Prix April 11-13, 2014

In addition to the actual races that will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2014, this three day event will feature various other activities in a festival-type atmosphere that may include a parade, concerts, a bikini contest, vendors, and other entertainment. Spectators will have the opportunity to see the boats up close in the dry pit area where they’ll be staged on the Friday and Saturday of the event. 

For up to date information on the event please visit the website at www.chsbgp.com

Update - 2014 Offshore Powerboat Racing Season Schedule

 

A quick update to the consolidated 2014 U.S. offshore powerboat racing season with races from organizers such as Super Boat International (SBI) and Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA).  Also, we cannot forget the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, where you can you see a boat like My Way run 224 mph.  Have a race event you want listed, send it to us and we will add it to the list!

	April
Apr 11-13	SBI - Charlotte Harbor Super Boat Grand Prix	Charlotte Harbor, FL
	May
May 2-4	OPA - Lake Hopatcong Grand Prix	Lake Hopatcong, NJ
May 16-18	SBI - 5th Annual Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix	Cocoa Beach, FL
	June
June 20-22	OPA - Atlantic City Offshore Grand Prix	Atlantic City, NJ
	July
July 4-6	SBI - 30th Annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival	Sarasota, FL
July 25-27	OPA - St Clair River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race	St Clair, MI
	August
Aug 1-3	SBI - 6th Annual Super Boat Great Lakes Grand Prix	Michigan City, IN
Aug 8-10	OPA - International Offshore Powerboat Race	Port Huron, MI
Aug 15-24	Lake of the Ozarks Shootout	Lake of the Ozarks
Aug 20-24	SBI - 11th Annual Thunder on the Gulf	Orange Beach, AL
Aug 20-24	SBI - 1st Annual Pensacola Grand Prix	Pensacola, FL
Aug 22-24	OPA - Great Race on the Sea	TBA Long Island, NY​​
	September
Sept 5-7	24th Annual New York Grand Prix – Tribute to 911	New York, NY
Sept 12-14	OPA Nationals  - Solomons Offshore Grand Prix	Solomons, MD
Sept 26-28	6th Annual Clearwater Super Boat National Championship	Clearwater, FL
	October
October 3-5	OPA World Championships	Ocean City, MD
	November
Nov 2-9	34th Annual Key West World Championship	Key West, FL

2013 Key West Super Boat International World Championship Results

Key West World Championship - overall unofficial results below.  If you missed the live action, watch it here; http://new.livestream.com/sbi/keywest2013

Third Qatar Cat A Wild Card For Key West Worlds

Of the 45 boats that reportedly "answered the roll call" at the Super Boat International Key West Offshore World Championships drivers meeting this morning, a hefty seven percent of them were from the country of Qatar. Backed by the Qatar Marine Sports Federation, the team, which pulled into Key West, Fla., yesterday, is fielding catamarans in the Turbine, Superboat Unlimited and Superboat classes.  Read More; Third Qatar Cat A Wild Card For Key West Worlds

Only Four Weeks Until the Super Boat World Champioinships and Poker Run Action in Key West

Only 4 weeks to go until we all once again hear the thunder and see the excitement of what are arguably two of  the best and biggest powerboating events in the world.

The Super Boat International World Championship run from November 3rd - 10th with live racing on the 6th, 8th and 10th.  Find more information and the complete schedule here; http://superboat.com/2013-Key-west-schedule/

The Key West Poker Run is The Florida Powerboat Club's signature event, voted Best Poker Run in the Nation by Powerboat Magazine. Commencing on Tuesday November 5th and running through November 11th, close to 200 powerboat teams are expected to attend and explore the 160 mile poker run course from Miami to Key West.  More information; http://www.flpowerboat.com/key-west-poker-run.html

Al Adaa’am 96’s Sheikh Hassan And Steve Curtis Head For Clearwater Super Boat Showdown - QMSF

 

CLEARWATER (USA): Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis will take to the waters for the last time competitively before the Key West World Championships in November, when they take part in this weekend’s 5th Annual Bright House Clearwater Super Boat National Championships, round eight of Super Boat International (SBI), in Florida.

A minor technical issue prevented the racing team from the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) from entering their new turbine racer, Al Adaa’am 96, in Sarasota in late summer, but the eagerly awaited first appearance in New York at the start of September did not disappoint and the Mystic boat, powered by Whispering Turbine engines, crushed the opposition and lapped the rest of the field in a one-sided debut.

Sheikh Hassan And Steve Curtis Cruise To Stunning Win In New York Super Boat Grand Prix

NEW YORK (USA): Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani and Steve Curtis gave their new turbine racer, Al Adaa’am 96, a stunning debut in Sunday’s 23rd Annual New York Super Boat Grand Prix, round seven of Super Boat International (SBI), on the Hudson River.

 

 

The powerful turbine-powered 50’ Mystic boat, which is also badged as Spirit of Qatar 96, was the class of the entire field and the Qatar Team duo cruised to a convincing overall victory.

Ali Al-Neama teamed up with throttleman Billy Moore for the first time in Spirit of Qatar 20 and reached the finish in second position in the Superboat class, which is developing into a fascinating contest between Team WHM Motorsports and Team Stihl. Team Stihl won the race on this occasion to set up a fascinating showdown at the final round of the series.

After testing was permitted on the Hudson on Saturday, teams lined up for the 23rd Annual New York Super Boat Grand Prix at 11.00hrs local time to avoid a clash with a 9/11 memorial scheduled for 1pm.

With the stunning backdrop of Manhattan Island, the field was split into two groups with the three Superboat entrants, an entry in Superboat Unlimited and Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis in Al Adaa’am 96 in group one. Four Superboat Extreme, one Vee and one Production 3 entry lined up for the second start on the four-mile course. Spirit of Qatar 20 lined up alongside Superboat category leader Team WHM Motorsports and rival Team Stihl.

Sheikh Hassan and Steve Curtis cruised into the lead down the first straight, as Team Stihl led the Superboat class from Spirit of Qatar 20 and Team WHM Motorsports.

Sheikh Hassan continued to pull away from the rest of the field as the 21-lap race progressed and Team Stihl maintained the advantage in the Superboat class from Spirit of Qatar 20, once Team WHM Motorsport withdrew with mechanical issues.

The next round of Superboat International (SBI) takes place at Clearwater Florida on September 27-29.

New Fountain Raceboat To Debut At SBI New York City Event

When the Superboat Vee class gets the green flag on the Hudson River tomorrow for the Super Boat International New York City Grand Prix, the field will include a new Fountain raceboat, Absolutely Not, owned and driven by Mark Gibbons. Powered by a class-specified Mercury Racing 525 EFI, the stepped hull 30-footer is the first raceboat out the Washington, N.C., boat builder since Watch Your Back, another Superboat Vee-class 30-footer built for Michael "Doc" Jansen that once dominated its competition on the offshore racecourse.

Fountain's first new raceboat in several years will compete tomorrow at the SBI New York City Grand Prix. "She came out better than I ever dreamed," said Gibbons, who lives in Long Island, N.Y., in a press release from the company. "We are super-pleased with how she did in the testing. I'm looking forward to racing her in the New York Super Boat Grand Prix—this is our home race."  More; New Fountain Raceboat To Debut At SBI New York City Event

Super Boat Racing Back To The Big Apple / Super Boat International

New York (August 30, 2013) – For 22 years, Super Boat International has traveled to New York and raced the Hudson and East Rivers for what has become an iconic event. This year is no different. On Sunday, September 8^th, teams will compete in the 23^rd Annual New York Grand Prix with the new Freedom Tower in the background and Statue of Liberty in the foreground. New York City and lower Manhattan is one of the most picturesque skylines in the world of boat racing.

Super Boat International was asked to return to New Jersey and Liberty State Park the year after the tragic events of the 9-11 terrorism attacks. Within days after the 2001 Super Boat race, the Twin Towers were attacked.  Ten months after that horrific event, the Governor of New Jersey confirmed in a letter to Super Boat International that racing should continue there as it would help raise the level of community spirit closer to levels of normalcy.

Non-stop action promised at F2 World Champs in Nottingham | RYA

This weekend Nottingham’s Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre hosts round four of the UIM F2 World Championship and with twenty five drivers vying for the sixteen slots on the British Powerboat Grand Prix starting grid the action is guaranteed to be fast and furious.

And if that’s not enough to keep the race fans on their toes Nottingham also hosts the UIM GT15 Powerboat World Championship, where amongst the eighteen drivers so far registered is Britain’s Ben Jelf, the son of the three times UIM F2 World Champion Colin Jelf.
 
Although having recently wrapped up his third GT15 European Championship title by taking maximum points in Kil, Sweden, Jelf knows that this weekend is going to be extremely tough.  

Qatari Rally Legend Nasser Al-Attiyah Set To Join Sheikh Hassan’s Qatar Team At Key West

DOHA (QATAR): His Excellency Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al-Thani today (Saturday) announced that the Arab world’s number one rally driver Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah will join the Qatar Team in November’s Key West World Championships in Florida.

 

 

At a press conference held in Doha today, Sheikh Hassan, the president of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), confirmed that Al-Attiyah will team up with his former Italian throttleman Matteo Nicolini and enter the Key West races in a Mercury-engined set-up boat. There are three races during the Key West festival, which takes place on November 3-10.

“I am delighted to welcome Nasser aboard our team as our ‘wingman’,” enthused Sheikh Hassan, who clinched the Key West World Championship title with Steve Curtis in 2012 and is hoping for a repeat in Al Adaa’am 96 this year.

JD Byrider Takes the Win In Super Boat Class | Super Boat International

Michigan City, IN (Aug 8, 2013) – This past weekend teams competed in the 5^th Annual Great Lakes Super Boat Grand Prix and treated what appeared to be record crowds to an outstanding show.  It was JD Byrider who ultimately took the checkered flag and the win in the Super Boat class. Mother Nature provided a chamber of commerce day and even put an extra bump in Lake Michigan to keep the racers in check and to excite the fans with high flying boats.

Photo; Super Boat International

One team that couldn’t wait to arrive in Michigan City was Dr. Mike Janssen and his Snowy Mountain Brewery Outerlimits Super Vee. “I really love coming here… everyone is so nice and thoughtful; it is just a wonderful place to race. Our team had a great race today. I really like this two-race format that Super Boat is doing as it allows everyone to race the first race and then come in and make changes as necessary. It’s like a 45-minute pit stop and, then, we are back on the course for the second race. We are really happy to come away with a win and my team did a great job to get us there,” comments Janssen. “The beach was phenomenal with people all down the entire race course.”