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View Full Version : Smokin' the Sound returns to the Coast April 25-28



Serious News
03-01-2013, 07:59 PM
By DOUG BARBER, Sun_Herald
dmbarber@sunherald.com

BILOXI -- Smokin' The Sound will return to Biloxi in the spring, as offshore powerboat racing renews on the Mississippi Sound on April 25-28.It will be followed by Smokin's The Lake on the weekend of May 3-5 on Gulfport Lake.

A press conference was held Tuesday at the Biloxi Visitors Center to discuss the series, which will be run by a new sanctioning body -- Super Boat International. At the same time, it was announced a reality series will air on offshore boat racing called "The Circuit'' and will involve the action in Biloxi."The big boats are back in Biloxi,'' Woody Bailey said. "This will showcase our area and we feel it willenhance tourism on the Gulf Coast.''This will be the kickoff race in the nine-race offshore season run by Super Boat International.Smokin' The Sound will have at least 25 competing boats in eight classes."This will be more exciting because of the big boats coming in so close,'' John Carbonell, of Super Boat International, said.Carbonell said the big boats will range in length from 45-to-50 feet, and will reach speeds from 160-170 mph.Some of the competitors will come from as far away as Qatar and Ukraine.

Carbonell said the reality series will "showcase the race, and show the glitz and glamour of offshore racing.''Rusty David said there will also be a STS Category V Shoot Out on April 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event will feature poker run style boats competing in radar speed runs and side-by-side racing. There will be 45 to 50 boats.In the past, the economic impact of Smokin' The Sound has been $3-to-5 million, according to Bailey.Bailey said there would be several ranges of pricing. There is a $10 wristband for fans from Thursday through Sunday.

There will also be a VIP $25 wristband, and other premium prices in the range of $250, $500 and $1,000.The race village will be set up next to the George Ohr Museum, according to David. "It will be highly visible along the Coast. People are invited to visit with boat owners and boat racers and view the boats,'' David said.

There will also be a new event -- Category 5 Shootout. It will be a shootout of boats capable of going over 150 mph. The race course will go from casino to casino -- start around Beau Rivage and end up around the Isle of Capri. That will be a Friday event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Smokin' the Lake is a dragboat event -- 50 to 60 boats -- and is sanctioned by the Deep South Racing Association.

Read more here: Smokin' the Sound returns to the Coast April 25-28 | Outdoors | The Sun Herald

XtremeRacing
03-05-2013, 08:14 PM
Looking forward to Biloxi never been should be fun. This will be a switch for SBI teams racing in some flat water, new setups and new challenge's. Also guys I think we are racing clockwise right hand turn oh boy fun fun.

Ratickle
03-05-2013, 09:52 PM
The west end corner is a real Biotch....... From smooth, to a hole, to right, to super sharp right. The east end is just really tight.....

Ratickle
03-05-2013, 09:54 PM
We have stayed at the Isle and the Rivage. Rivage is really nice, and has a better view of the course's east end. Isle isn't too bad either, and is at the pits...

XtremeRacing
03-06-2013, 12:29 PM
Thanks for the info Paul, should be fun.