Team AMSOIL Offshore Wins SBI National Championship

The final event of the Super Boat International Series was held at Clearwater Beach, Fla. and drew record crowds and one of the biggest spectator fleets of the year. More than 2,000 boats lined the course while tens of thousands of spectators watched from the beaches and Pier 60.

Before the racing began, Team AMSOIL participated in the AMSOIL Direct Jobber convention held at the Sheraton on Sand Key. The AMSOIL Offshore race boat was on display on the beach for the Friday activities available for everyone to view. Team AMSOIL driver Paul Whittier and throttleman Bob Teague, along with the crew, attended the AMSOIL banquet on Saturday night at the Sheraton. Paul Whittier, Bob Teague and Team AMSOIL power boat champion Terry Rinker were recognized for their continued success and championship seasons.

Team AMSOIL raced in Sunday's main event which was the second race of the day. During the other races on Sunday, Teague worked as a commentator on the radio show which was broadcast on the area’s AM radio stations and streamed live on the Internet.

Team AMSOIL lined up in for the start of second race along with a number of boats including the Vee Extreme class. The Team AMSOIL #77 Skater performed flawlessly during the race, passing all of the boats in the starting group including many with significantly more horsepower. Team AMSOIL went the distance to receive the checkered flag in spite of having a battery post break four laps from the end of the race, which rendered the trim systems inoperative. Bob Teague and Paul Whittier made the necessary adjustments and finished the race at full speed.

During the awards ceremony, AMSOIL President and C.E.O. Al Amatuzio, along with Executive Vice Presidents Alan Amatuzio and Dean Alexaner, accompanied the Team to the podium to receive the trophy and flags. Teague and Whittier presented the checkered flags won at the event to the three men.

The win at Clearwater Beach clinched the Super Boat International National Championship for Team AMSOIL Offshore Racing. Team AMSOIL has already won the 2009 High Points Championships in the Offshore Super Series, Triple Crown, and OPA series.

Up next for Teague and Whittier is the SBI/APBA World Championships in Key West, Fla. on November 8-15.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.