Article: Marathon 2024, Supercat Wild Turn One

[Serious News]

You can view the video at https://seriousoffshore.com/forums/content.php?r=270-Marathon-2024-Supercat-Wild-Turn-One

A totally nuts sequence where driving skill, and some luck, kept a serious accident from occurring.

[rschap1]

That was crazy to watch ! ! ! !
Thought HP Mafia might have lost steering or something...
Looked like it was a LOT of luck that there were no collisions.

[Bobcat]

Was Luke Perry out there on the Course?:o

[rschap1]

Wrong color buoys

[Serious News]

Entire race.


https://youtu.be/etPAzSPt8qo?si=T7Ton3ajfefo6UGE

[Ratickle]

Wrong color buoys

I know they are using that as an excuse, but it is absolutely wrong.

First of all, you cannot move into another boats lane unless you are at least 3 boat lengths in front of it. They cut off an entire fleet, and should be counting their blessings that they didn't kill anybody and be apologizing to everyone profusely, (like Jr is doing, not Sr).

Second, they announced at the driver's meeting that morning they had used their last spare orange buoy to replace the one taken out the day before and if another was destroyed the replacement would be yellow. Then, when another was taken out, they announced that it had been replaced with a yellow buoy over the radio.

Third, everyone knew where the course was, not one other boat in two races had that issue. And HP had tested the day before. How could they possibly think that a dogleg had been added to the course in the back stretch with an additional yellow buoy???

They need to man-up and admit they F'd up and were extremely lucky to even have a boat in one piece. The other drivers did a masterful, (lucky?), job of not having "The Big One" like at Talladega Speedway.

[Ratickle]

And, the rule is the couse turn buoys should be orange, not must be orange. If you wanted to put all bright purple out there, as long as you announced it in the drivers meeting, fine.

Also, if they had not been penalized for not following the course, and not holding their own lane. They would probably been penalized for being in front of the Lane 1 boat at the start. Rule is the lane one boat is supposed to be behind the start boat by 300', (which never happens). But, the Lane 1 boat is the key. If you are in front of it at the green flag, you will be penalized.

[Ratickle]

Cause if you watch the start on the video above, you can see the lane one boat roostertail start to increase at 1:22. The lane one boat has the best view of the green flag, HP in the outside lane started to accelerate at the 1:16 mark when it passes Billy and Jay.

That did not need to get reviewed because of the other incident causing the DQ.

[Serious News]

People have asked what their penalty was, it was disqualification.

Marathon 2024 Results : OFFICIAL RESULTS
69 HP MAFIA ***** 35:47.3 ***** ***** Disqualified

[rschap1]

Did look like a TON of luck was needed to keep from major collision

[Ratickle]

Yep, that's for sure.

But also, some very quick reactions from the guys! How Vinnie made it through I don't know.