Super Boats Coming Back to the Space Coast For Extreme Racing
Offshore Race Teams Ready to Launch For 1st Annual Space Coast Grand Prix
Key West, (August 12, 2010) – The famous Space Coast community near Cocoa Beach, FL is set to host the 1st Annual Thunder on the Beach Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix, August 20th – 22nd. Super Boat International (SBI) and their offshore race teams are excited to showcase extreme offshore race boats and to add this event to the 2010 National Series schedule. Cocoa Beach, the 5th stop on the National Series circuit, should bring a wave of fans and boating enthusiasts to this inaugural event.
SBI President and founder, John Carbonell believes it’s the right time to come back. “I produced a race here about 20 years ago and I was really taken with the area. This Space Coast community has so much to offer, not only to all the teams that come to race, but all the fans who drive in for the weekend to watch the race. We had a great event back then and I believe we should have another excellent one. I’m very happy we’ve been able to work it in to this year’s schedule and the upcoming years.”
Another multi national and world championship team returning is Team Instigator. It sounds like a team that didn’t get enough the first time and they’re back… fitting team name. Peter Meyer, Owner / Throttleman of Team Instigator, won his last race here in 1989 and can’t wait to get back. “I remember Cocoa Beach as a great small town. I was a lot younger then… it seemed like everyone was young then, but I’m sure it has grown up since the late 80’s. We ran a 27’ Signature in the “B” class with twin 600 horse power small blocks. I’ve stepped up in boat length and horsepower quite a bit and now I run in the Super Vee Unlimited class. I’ve been fortunate with many wins and titles over the years, so maybe there’s a good chance we can repeat that success later this month,” exclaims Meyer. “If not, I’m gonna hope some of those old beachside pubs are still around.”
Teams arriving from various parts of the United States and a few drivers coming from abroad will compete in Sunday’s Thunder on the Beach with a ferocious desire to win. This is the mid-point of the 2010 season and teams are looking to move ahead in class points. Teams would like to leave Cocoa Beach with a win, knowing there are only two races until the National Championships in Clearwater, FL. Teams acquire points through all the National Series races for the National Title. The 30th Annual Key West World Championship Title race in Key West, FL clears all points and teams compete equally during the week-long event.
Boats arriving Thursday (19th) and Friday (20th) will stage in Race Village, (The Cove – Port Canaveral) where fans can see their favorite team up close. After the early morning drivers meeting, race teams will test on Saturday from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Sunday, teams will race and compete in their select classes with the first race scheduled for 11:00 am and the second starting at 1:00 pm. Super Boats vary in sizes up to 50’ feet in length and can reach speeds in calm water races in excess of 200 mph.
This will be my first offshore race. I have been wanting to see one for a long time and I am thriled you have chose to come back to Coco Bch., my area. I am comming from Melbourne. Looking forward to the esperience. jlv
Hottest action in the space coast in years. I will be bringing my 15 year old daughter for her first race. Kind of late I know, as I saw my first race when I was about 6. Love all racing from F-1 to Unlimited Hydroplane (If thats still what they call it) But off shore powerboats are by far the slickest, and most competive in all of boat racing. The big boats and the men that pilot them are SICK!!!!!
This wa s our 1st boat iever,and we enjoyed it so much.Didn’t know the name of the winner but he sure had a great boat,and no one came close to him. Maybe it was Mr Meyer….
[...] hot if you stayed out in the sun to watch the First Annual Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix, but offshore racing is such an incredible sport to watch and hear as the offshore racing boats roar [...]
Welcome Back to Cocoa Beach. Had a great time today. Looking forward to next year! Thanks
Had a BLAST .. live in Cape Canaveral .. THANK YOU for bringin ‘em back to us here in Cocoa Beach !! I am looking forward to the next race !!!
Comment:I think the race should cover most of the Cocoa Beach’s beach.The race should start at the pier or the port and run the coast south at least down past Coconut’s and then make the turn for home/finish line around 4th or 8th st..That makes for a better race, with more time for passing and racing.Not to mention plenty more room for spectators.The area north of Lori Wilson Park does not have many public beach accesses for poeple to go with their kids and be safe (I dont mean being killed or anything) but to relax with thier families where the crowds are a little thinner.This is all just my opinioin but I truley believe it would make for a much more entertaining race.I grew up on these waters and know it would give the drivers more time to make there moves with a couple more miles to work with.