For 26 years the Superboat Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix held on the 4th of July weekend in Sarasota, Fla. has 
become one of the sports most popular races. The week-long event involves the entire community, which has now risen over $14 million dollars to support local children’s charities.
become one of the sports most popular races. The week-long event involves the entire community, which has now risen over $14 million dollars to support local children’s charities. After a day full of fan interaction on Friday, Team AMSOIL tested over 100 miles on Saturday in the calmer than normal conditions for the Gulf of Mexico. A great set up for the conditions was developed for Sunday's race.
A morning rain storm on Sunday, in combination from swells coming in from a tropical depression in the Gulf, resulted in a significant change in the conditions compared to the day before. When band Mike Defrees took the AMSOIL Skater to the Gulf for the first race of the day, it was immediately apparent that it was going to be a tough day in a boat that was set up for calmer conditions.
When the green flag dropped, Team AMSOIL got stuck in traffic going into the first turn and one of the boats in the pack crossed in front of Team AMSOIL and took out the turn buoy. The new Stihl 388 Skater had a cleaner line on the outside and took the early lead in the Super Cat class. From that point on, there was a close deck to deck battle between the Stihl team and Team AMSOIL which ended up being one of the most exciting races of the day. Team AMSOIL was able to catch and pass Team Stihl and extend a lead of about 11 seconds. As the nearly 90-mile race progressed, Team AMSOIL was slowed a couple of times while lapping traffic and took a couple of huge flights in the rough conditions which enabled the Stihl team to come within a boat length heading into the final outside turn of the race. Team AMSOIL hit a large rogue wave which cause
d the boat to hook violently and end up on the wrong side of the turn buoy. Team AMSOIL was then forced to go back and “make up” the turn, allowing Stihl to cross the finish line first.Post race inspections revealed that Team Stihl’s propellers did not meet the required specifications for thickness resulting in a disqualification for the Stihl team. Team AMSOIL was then awarded the checkered flag with Team Popeye’s placing second, and Team Dark Dog Energy Drink, running their new MTI, finishing in third place.
Next stop for Team AMSOIL is the OPA/GEICO Race in Harrison Township, Mich. on July 16-18.
Until then, we'll see you at the races!
Team AMSOIL
