Dangerous Racing Conditions Fire-up Savannah
SAVANNAH, Ga.--July 6, 2003--Today the second day of the Fire on the Water-Savannah Grand Prix brought dangerous and extreme racing to the waters off of Tybee Island. Temperatures soaring to the high 90's, incredibly rough water conditions and strong winds made for an exciting and competitive day of racing with boats launching through the air. Thousands of spectators gasped, then cheered as the boats re-entered the water and the drivers brought them safely back into control.
Over 80 boats participated in the second annual Savannah Grand Prix, the third stop in the GMC Pro Grade Series, with over 30 boats racing today in two separate races. The teams pushed the limits of their equipment as they attempted to capture a checkered flag and win valuable points for the national championship title.
The start of the first race brought the fleet thundering down the beaches only a hundred yards from the shore. In the Super Vee class Pier 57, Spiderman and Team Donzi immediately leapt to the front of the pack racing deck to deck as they took the first turn. This is one of the most competitive classes and the teams fiercely battled for all 12 laps. Team Donzi and Spiderman went into the race in second and third place respectively in the total GMC Pro Series point standings with nearly identical lap times from the last race in Marathon, Fla. Fans were surprised when the H & H Speed & Marine boat blew by these two top teams to take first place, with Spiderman taking second and Team Donzi a close third place.
Extreme Vortec, the leader in the GMC Pro Grade Series Super Vee Light class again took charge at the start with High Noon Racing and Screamin' Nuts running in their wake. Trading places several times during the race, these teams brought the crowds to their feet as Extreme Vortec powered past High Noon Racing to take first place in the final lap. In the Factory 2 class Snap-on Talk'n Tools took the checkered flag, followed by Pier 57 and Team Fisher.
Winds picked-up just prior to the second race of the day, the seas churned creating even more dangerous conditions. Luckily the teams were able to negotiate through the incredibly rough waters without incident, although the harsh conditions took 10 teams out of the race with equipment failures. WHM Motorsports took a strong lead early in the race, followed by Bacardi Silver, Airbourne and The Daytona Sun Times teams. WHM held the lead until equipment failure took them out of the race, leaving the team third behind winner Bacardi Silver and second place Airbourne.
The Super Cat Light class also suffered in the rough conditions, with only two boats making it to the finish line. Liquid Metal took the checkered flag, maintaining their number one standing in the series points.
"Conditions for the race today were rough but it was the confused seas -- where the waves are coming from multiple directions at the same time -- that made for an incredible day of racing. The teams with the most experience had a definite advantage today, but success went to those with the rigging and equipment that could withstand the formidable sea conditions," stated Michael Allweiss, Chairman of the APBA-Offshore, LLC.
The fourth race of the series will take place on August 8-10 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.apba-offshore.com.
Unofficial Results:
Super Cat
1st, Bacardi Silver, Hugh Fuller -- Clearwater, FL, 85.737 2nd
Airbourne, Randy Linebach -- Washington Town Ship, MI, 83.640, WHM
Motorsports, Bill Mauff -- East Setauket, NY, 86.058:
Super Cat Light
1st, Liquid Metal, John Talley -- Boonsboro, MD, 66.373, 2nd,
American Dream, Kevin Cundiff -- Somerset, KY, 65.204, 3rd, Dirty
Duck, Slug Hefner -- Poplar Bluff, MO, 64.292:
Super Vee
1st, H & H Speed & Marine, Todd Klindworth -- St. Croix, USV
Islands, 2nd, Spiderman, Todd Welling -- San Carlos, CA, 3rd, Team
Donzi, Doug Valentine -- Tallevast, FL:
Super Vee Light
1st, Extreme Vortec, Steve Miklos -- New Port Richey, FL, 2nd,
High Noon Racing, Richard Legouori -- Port Jefferson, NY, 3rd,
Screamin Nuts, Richard Schubert -- Galveston, TX:
Factory 2
1st, Snap-on Talk'n Tools, Brian Ross -- Oakville, Ontario, 2nd,
Harwich ConcreteBlock/Pier 57, Lute Dickey -- Cordova, TN, 3rd,
Team Fisher, Bobby Fisher -- Houston, TX.