USA. Port Huron Offshore G.P Part 3 PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 09 June 2004
In Outlaw Performance™ P4 however, they will mount a winning cause against home waters Michiganders, the P4-33 Fountain of Youth in their open topped Fountain.


Jim Lijana, driver from Harrison Township, throttleman Brian Bunch from Gibraltar and Jerry Majeske navigator from Plymouth, may have double trouble ahead if Keith Herbott makes an appearance in the number one ranked P4-88 Herbott Racing, a Wellcraft based from the Pennsylvania Poconos with Mike Barry on the sticks.


The Outlaw Performance ™ P5 Class brings Virginians Mack Clark, from South Hill and the Boydton based Warren Miller at the helm of the P5-10 High Priority, against whatever local boaters wish to jump into the competition.


Perhaps the first place ranked P5-14 Carraba’s Team Blythe from Doylestown, Pennsylvania will show up to defend their standings before merging in the Sarasota Suncoast Offshore Gran Prix, the third stop on the APBA Offshore GMC Pro Grade Tour.


With a legion of Michigan based teams who have competed in the hard hitting APBA Offshore Central Division Points Series throughout the years, the announcement of the new $30,000 Tri State Cup may draw a number of surprise shows from teams not wishing to give up their hard earned divisional series titles to any newcomers, any time soon.


The APBA Offshore Central Division Tri State Cup Championship will include points accumulated from the Miller Lite® - Port Huron Offshore Gran Prix this weekend, added to the Cincinnati Offshore Gran Prix June 18th, the GMC Pro Grade Milwaukee Offshore Gran Prix the weekend of July 30th and the series finale at the New Richmond, Ohio Offshore Gran Prix over the weekend of August 6th.

Taking top overall points from the four events could earns first placed teams a piece of the Reindl Powerboats presented $30,000 prize purse, trophy and title which gives them a place in history.


Added to that could just be a GMC Pro Grade National Championship Title and induction into the prestigious APBA Hall of Champions, a feat that lists only the true legends in the sport.


The key to on that path, and is to make history in Port Huron, and no one knows that better than the F2-1 AC Delco/ Snap On Team.


Oakville, Ontario husband and wife team, Brian and Wilma Ross are serious about winning and even more serious about defending their Factory 2™ title.


Ask them about Marathon, when their F2-1 Donzi spun out on a turn with an impact that forced them to hit against each other, breaking Brian’s fingers, and sending Wilma to the emergency room with a broken clavicle, that is, after they finished the race in an impressive second place against Joey Skrocki and Jeff Stevenson.


“Wilma will show up with a cast on,” laughs Skrocki, of Howell, Michigan, throttleman for the F2-21 JBS Racing Team, who along with Stevenson, from Winneconne, Wisconsin, took the win in Marathon. “They are the truly one of the toughest team out there,” he added.


Following in third in Marathon has given the Ohio based, F2-45 Simmons Marine Team a lot of incentive to show the two Donzi teams just what their Phantom will do in Port Huron.


Jim Simmons, of Cuiahonga Falls hopes his new teammate Henry Tilbert from Wadsworth will slam on the throttles bringing them across the start –finish line for a checkered flag finish in the Sunday racing competition ahead of both AC Delco and JBS Racing. It’s never over till the checkered flag drops.


Rounding out the Sunday races with the Factory 2™ Super Cat, Super Cat Light and Super Vee contenders will be Super Vee Light Competition.


That’s when the Kostelacs in the #5 Wild Ride will attempt to keep National defending Champion, Gary Deciucies of New Port Richey, and 2004 throttleman, Shane Barrett from taking the lead away from them with their #51 Extreme Vortec entry.


The boat is no cheap thrill, garnishing back-to-back, APBA Offshore National and APBA /U.I.M. World Titles during the 2003 season. It’s also a fact that Deciucies knows water, whether rough or smooth, so a bad break in Marathon is not going to keep him and Barrett from taking the checkered flag back to what they may feel is the rightful owner in Port Huron.


Flying in for competition and now available by lease for the Port Huron event through an association with the manufacturer, Reindl Powerboats are the fan favorite One Design fleet, affectionately known as “Bat Boats.”


These 24’ mono hull Vees with wings are a real treat for anyone with the urge to play in the professional leagues of racing action. A great starter boat for wannabe’s as well as a second racing entry for teams competing in other classes, they are a site to not to be missed on display at the McMorran Place Race Village.


This exciting competition line-up means spectacular waterfront racing for thousands who will line the shores of Lake Huron over the weekend. A finalized entry list of all competitors will be available online on Friday following the Drivers Meeting at 6:00pm at Legendz.


A closed course with designated spectator viewing by personal watercraft is available online, along with a complete schedule of events, parties and fan based activities.
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For a complimentary issue of Powerboat Racing At Its Finest, a Fans Guide to Watching an APBA Offshore Powerboat Racing Event, click About the Sport on the APBA Offshore Website. The article features terminology, facts and information about what will be seen on the water.


Viewing of the boats will be available all weekend long at the McMorran Place Race Village, from Friday through Sunday from 9:00 AM until 8:00pm daily. Admission is Free.


Viewing of the Craning Activities is available on the land across from the Raymond Excavating Hot Pits at Quay Street. A reminder is made that fans should not view this activity from the 7th Street Bridge to allow for pass through of normal pedestrian traffic.


For all information on the 2004 Miller Lite® - Port Huron Offshore Gran Prix, including the actual racecourse, updated schedule of events, fan based parties, and Charity Bowl A Thon for Habitat for Humanity, visit www.apbaoffshoreracing.com.


Michelle May- Schmidt
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 June 2004 )
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