• Racing and Poker Runs

    Published on 10-16-2012 09:11 PM
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    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Historical
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    by SeriousOffshore



    While doing the research on Vincenzo, and chatting with those who had the opportunity to recall his amazing life and career, it is interesting what they remember. We ended Part 1 of his Offshore history with one of Vincenzo Jr’s memories of his father assisting another competitor in the very first race his father ever ran;


    On the Cover of an Italian Boating Magazine 1970

    He was not the only one with memories of that very first race which ended Part 1…
    Memories:
    Only now I find time to write this anecdote about his first encounter with the offshore competitions. It is an interview that my friend and expert in offshore Gianni Giampaoli to Franz Furrer, the organizer of the first offshore race of the Mediterranean, the Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio, in July 1962. Both the ...
    Published on 10-16-2012 04:13 AM
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    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Historical
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    by SeriousOffshore


    Just recently we lost one of the all time greats in Offshore Racing and Performance Boating History. Vincenzo Balestrieri as everyone knew him, his full name being Count Vincenzo Balestrieri Cosimelli, is one of the most accomplished offshore racers to ever hold a boat throttle and steering wheel in his hands. He not only won the World Championship twice, he also was the very first European to win an American offshore race. He started out his working life as a lawyer, but went into business early on instead of specializing in law.

    Vincenzo left 4 sons and two grandchildren behind when he departed this earth for other seas to run on. Two of his sons, Luca and Sergio, spent a lot of time ...
    Published on 07-27-2012 08:56 PM
    Categories:
    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Clubs and Destinations
    3. On The Water News
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    by SeriousOffshore



    After a great lunch at the Weather Vane in Charlevoix, it was time to head back to the marina to run the second half of the course. While getting ready to go, we found out that the 12 boat raft off at the marina was a new record according to the harbor master, (the old record being held by sailboats at one of their events, can’t let that stand!!!!), so another “number one” record for Boyne Thunder 2012!

    Anyway, great weather and gorgeous water said it was time to get those sweet Verado’s in gear. Getting away from the docks ended up being easier than first thought. We were boat #2 out of a 6 boat raft off. The ...
    Published on 07-18-2012 09:02 PM
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    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Clubs and Destinations
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    by SeriousOffshore


    Although picking up in popularity over the past few years, the Boyne Thunder Poker Run had been one of the undiscovered gems among the big boy poker run crowd. The traditional Boyne Thunder run has included a trip out around Beaver Island, a distance of over 30 miles each way across what can be a rough stretch of water in the open part of Lake Michigan. This year the course changed to stay a bit closer to the west coast of Michigan’s Traverse, Charlevoix, and Harbor Springs areas. The organizers have found some of the most beautiful scenery to be viewed ...
    Published on 07-07-2012 09:06 PM
    Categories:
    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Clubs and Destinations
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    by SeriousOffshore



    I am pretty sure that was the first question that popped into most of the racers heads when the event was first being discussed. I know it was my first thought, and I live in Michigan. I doubt it will be a question that is ever raised again, certainly not by anyone who pays attention to offshore racing events.

    It’s hard to believe from the outstanding overall success, but this was the inaugural edition of the Heritage Coast Offshore Grand Prix in Tawas Bay, Michigan. The organizers had only a few short weeks to get everything to come together and they must have really burned the midnight oil to make sure this event came off as well as they possibly ...
    Published on 06-28-2012 09:07 PM
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    1. Racing and Poker Runs
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    by SeriousOffshore



    Sarasota Florida will be the epicenter of offshore boat racing this weekend. The Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival in Sarasota will offer non-stop excitement for every offshore boat racing fan that can possibly be there. There will be competitive, side-by-side, action from many different types of machinery on Sunday’s race day, featuring some established stars and some rising talents. This will for sure be another unforgettable event in the waters off Sarasota, with things to talk about again and again.



    The Sarasota event is one of the longest, continuously running, race sites in the country, this being its 27th year. All three days of the Suncoast Super Boat Weekend in Sarasota will ...
    Published on 06-20-2012 09:10 PM
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    1. Racing and Poker Runs
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    by SeriousOffshore




    The first very first race in Tawas Michigan will be held this weekend. To say the area is excited would be an understatement. Here is a photo of one of the posters they have placed all around the area announcing the race.



    Some of the comments from the organizers commenting about the excitement of having Offshore Race Boats from OPA come to Tawas Bay are as supporting as any have ever been in recent history.



    It looks as if their support is going to pay off in a pretty good turnout of boats. ...
    Published on 04-19-2012 09:16 PM
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    1. Racing and Poker Runs
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    by SeriousOffshore



    In our second installment on OSS Racing, Publisher Paul Rose talks with Biloxi race site promoter Woody Bailey about the race, the events and the biggest purse in offshore in this century.

    Paul-
    Woody, you’ve got quite a bit invested in the upcoming Biloxi OSS event. It looks to be your biggest effort yet. What all do you have planned?
    Woody-
    We are very excited about Smokin’ The Sound this year. The tow money , increased purse and APBA-UIM sanctioned Kilo Run should make for an exciting weekend. We are also working with Stu Jones and the Florida Powerboat Club on our STS Poker Run which will be held on Saturday during the event. We ...
    Published on 04-13-2012 09:18 PM
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    1. Racing and Poker Runs
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    by SeriousOffshore



    SeriousOffshore Publisher Paul Rose recently caught up with John Brunner, Director of Operations at Offshore Super Series, better known as OSS Racing. Paul talked with John about OSS history, the economy’s effect on racing and what the future holds for the organization.

    Paul-
    OSS was originally assembled by race team owners as a “co -op”, with the idea of those that owned the show being in charge of the show. Who is OSS today?
    John-
    In the beginning, OSS was formed by a group of racers that were unhappy with the then-current administration ...
    Published on 03-20-2012 11:27 PM
    Categories:
    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. On The Water News
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    by Steve David


    All too often when someone dies in a boat racing accident, the various websites have several postings of condolences, with many saying “they died doing what they loved”. While there is no doubt that those of us who race do love racing, I don’t believe any of us want to die. Racing in fact, is more a celebration of life and living it fully by our self definition. To others it’s too risky, or simply a waste of time. Just look ...
    Published on 03-06-2012 11:31 PM
    Categories:
    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Manufacturers and Dealers
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    by Jeff Dieringer



    One of the most respected teams on and off the water is Team CRC, sponsored by Columbia Rim Corporation. Their current MTI 850 Supercat has been a mainstay on the offshore racing circuit and has carried the teammates Tim McDonald and Mike DeFrees to more than a few podium finishes.

    Driver Mike DeFrees owns Columbia Rim and throttleman Tim McDonald is the owner of Oregon Custom Marine.
    A special thanks to our field reporter Jeff Dieringer. He called upon his existing friendship with the CRC team to bring us this inside look into their operation. Thanks also go out to our friends at Shoot2Thrill and FreezeFrame Video for their contributions to the story. ...
    Published on 03-01-2012 11:35 PM
    Categories:
    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Manufacturers and Dealers
    3. Historical
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    by Charlie McCarthy



    Editor’s note: Banana Powerboats CEO and HORBA founder Charlie McCarthy had a long and unique friendship with Don Aronow. In this two-part series, Charlie revisits the story of that friendship.

    Meeting Don Aronow
    I fell in love for the first time in my life during my freshman year at Saint Leo University, just north of Tampa Florida. But this relationship was no ordinary one- the object of my passion was offshore powerboat racing.

    My roommate at Saint Leo’s, who came from a family of boat racers out of Chicago, introduced me to this great sport and I was invited to join the pit crew of Mike Gordon. Mike raced an 18 foot Rayson Craft endurance boat with ...
    Published on 02-28-2012 11:37 PM
    Categories:
    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Manufacturers and Dealers
    3. Historical
    4. On The Water News
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    by Charlie McCarthy



    I am very excited to be working with the people here at Serious and look forward to sharing some great stories of the past with all the members.
    I know they had planned on reprinting an article I wrote about Don Aronow a few years ago and maybe that is a good place to start. Tomorrow, March 1st, would have been the 85th birthday of Don, had he lived. It has been 25 years since he was shot to death on the very street he made famous, NE 188th ST, ...
    Published on 02-27-2012 11:39 PM
    Categories:
    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Manufacturers and Dealers
    3. Historical
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    by SeriousOffshore



    Reggie Fountain not only found his way onto our 11 from 2011 list, he missed a podium finish by just one spot, coming in at #4. Always the competitor, Reggie is off to a strong start in 2012 and it looks like he’s aiming to best his performance in 2012.

    Just a few days ago, the new Fountain venture, Fountain Performance Marine made a boat show splash with the introduction of their website.
    Reggie Fountain isn’t the kind of guy that makes any announcement that’s going to get lost in the ...
    Published on 02-23-2012 11:40 PM
    Categories:
    1. Racing and Poker Runs
    2. Manufacturers and Dealers
    3. Historical
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    by SeriousOffshore



    Charlie in the Top Banana 38

    We are exceptionally pleased to announce that boatbuilder, racer and HORBA founder Charlie McCarthy has joined us here in an official capacity at Serious Offshore. As the founder of the Historical Offshore Race Boat Association, Charlie has been at the forefront of keeping the history of this sport alive for many years.

    Charlie’s efforts go well beyond being a historian. One of his greatest accomplishments has been
    ...
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