10th Annual Superboat National Championship is this Weekend
Superboat International will crown offshore powerboat racing’s national champions at the 10th annual Hooters Clearwater Super Boat National Championships this weekend in Clearwater, Fla.
The fastest offshore raceboats in the world will do battle in seven classes off Clearwater Beach. In Superboat Unlimited, look for the most famous boat in the sport, Miss GEICO and the reigning national champions Wake Effects to be on hand to put on a fast show. Perhaps the sport’s longest-standing rivalry will continue when the WHM Motorsports team of owner driver Billy Mauff and throttleman Jay Muller takes on throttleman John Tomlinson and driver Myrick Coil in the Skater 38, Performance Boat Center. Also running in Superboat will be M-Con, Cleveland Construction, AMH Motorports, MGI Digital Technology and Pro Floors 1 from New Zealand.
For V-bottom fans, the Superboat Vee Class could number in the double digits with the favorites being two 30’ Extremes, LSB Racing and Sun Print taking on the brand new 32’ Phantom, Mr. Technology, that will have the boat’s builder and designer Will Smith on the throttles. All the boats are powered by single 525-hp engines with a Bravo One drive.
If you like outboards, check out the Super Stock class made up primarily of 32’ Doug Wright catamarans powered by twin Mercury Racing XS 300 outboards. Favorites in the class include FJ Propeller, DoubleEdge Motorsports, the lone Skater in the fleet, Shadow Pirate and Team Allen Lawn Care.
The weekend starts with registration and the opening of the dry pits on Friday morning in Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater. Folks who like to get up close and personal with the teams and boats will love that the dry pits are open with free admission. There’s a parade Friday evening followed by a Downtown Block Party, again free of charge. The boats will test on Saturday and on Sunday, the first of three races starts at noon. Tickets for watching the race from Pier 60 will be available. For a full schedule check out www.superboat.com.
