[Southsider2k12]

Aug. 3-5 (Michigan City, Ind.) 4th annual Super Boat Great Lakes Grand Prix

[Southsider2k12]

http://superboat.com/2012/07/super-boat-te...kes-grand-prix/

4th Annual Event Expects Great Turn Out

Michigan City, IN (July 27, 2012) – The 4th annual Super Boat Great Lakes Grand Prix powerboat race is set for August 3rd – 5th in beautiful Michigan City, Indiana. At the water’s edge, next to the Washington Park, stands the only working lighthouse in Indiana that borders ‘turn one’ of the race course. Teams head to this part of Indiana (southernmost tip of Lake Michigan) for what is anticipated to be an exciting race with some of the largest and most powerful offshore race boats in the world.

Teams will start to arrive at this lakeside community Thursday August 2nd for an even bigger event than in years past. The LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Michigan City Parks and Rec is preparing for what is the 4th stop of the Super Boat International racing series season. Much is expected from this coastal community and they always deliver. When the boats arrive into town, the race fans and beachgoers come alive and everyone knows August has arrived.

Founder of Super Boat International (SBI), John Carbonell, is expecting the big Superboat Unlimited boats to display some very exciting racing. “The Unlimited Class is our biggest and fastest boats. These boats along with all the production classes and stock classes have really been racing hard this season and we expect the same here this weekend. Our unlimited class, which is a class of unlimited horsepower and size should be exciting to watch. Team Cintron, a local favorite should really put on a show.”

The sleek silver 50’ Mystic catamaran always is a crowd pleaser and when you hear those engines fire up, you can bet that Team Cintron is ready to race. The owner of Team Cintron, Wes Wyatt, comments how exciting it is to race in Michigan City. “The people and the support we get from here is unbelievable and compared to all the places to race, it is certainly one of the best. The CVB, fire and police departments’ support really means a lot to us. It’s a great family environment, it’s never hectic and they always make it an enjoyable place to come back. This year should be great.”

Most all the racers really like coming to Michigan City, not just for the community support, but for the competitive and rough conditions Lake Michigan can produce. Team “Watch Your Back” races in the very competitive Super Vee Light (SVL), single engine 525 HP Vee Bottom class and knows it can be rough. “This water can be rough and very bumpy… at the same time very exciting. We know our fans love watching us launch out of the water, wave to wave. The racing is spectacular and we have a great time in the parade and block party on Saturday night interacting with the fans. They always have a great turnout,” comments Dr. Mike Janssen, owner and throttleman of the SVL team.

When conditions are calm, the Great Lakes Grand Prix has seen thousands of spectator boats line the course. With the current weather predictions for this year’s event, we could anticipate record crowds and an endless raft of spectator boats. The CVB has reported increasing crowds over the years and, with the popularity of the Blue Chip Casino, this 4th year could set the high water mark. Spectators should come early on Sunday and beat the known interstate traffic.

This year the event will be streamed on new.livestream.com/sbi so you won’t miss any of the action. On the Livestream page, watch and listen to interviews, make comments and watch all the action as it happens. Fans can stay connected with us at superboat.com and Like Us on Facebook for all this year’s news. The Super Boat schedule is posted through 2013 with races in Cocoa Beach, Sarasota and Miami, FL; Michigan City IN; New York, NY; Clearwater and Key West, FL.

Michigan City’s Washington Park (Dry Pits)
Teams will start to arrive Thursday, August 2nd and Friday, August 3rd to Washington Park to stage their race boats and transportation equipment. Friday registration begins for teams and the dry pits opens to the public at 8:00 am. Later in the evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, there will be an authentic Hawaiian Luau and VIP party. Also, from 7-11 pm ‘Point’n Fingers’ will be playing in the Jaycees Pavilion. Saturday, August 4th the park opens at 8:00 am and teams will test from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. Also at the same time on Saturday, the park will be hosting a Classic Car show. At 6:00 pm, Super Boats will parade downtown with a block party on Franklin Street from 7 pm until 10 pm. Team Cintron Energy Drink will sponsor live entertainment downtown. In the dry pits from 7pm – 11pm, Howard & the White Boys will be playing in Jaycees pavilion. Sunday races are scheduled for 11:00 am and 1:00 pm along the beach off Washington Park. There will be music from 2-4 pm by Mr. Funny Man in the Dry pits and awards are scheduled for 5:00 pm in the Blue Chip Casino.

[Southsider2k12]

The tents are getting set up in Washington Park, and I saw Channel 57 out of SB down there recording a bit for their news.

[Southsider2k12]

And here is their coverage

http://www.abc57.com/news/local/Great-Lake...-164530376.html

[Southsider2k12]

Great Lakes Grand Prix's status.
24 minutes ago.Attention: Due to water conditions and high waves and to insure the safety of racers and spectators alike the decision has been made to hold ONE RACE at 1 pm.

[j4katz]

Great Lakes Grand Prix's status.
24 minutes ago.Attention: Due to water conditions and high waves and to insure the safety of racers and spectators alike the decision has been made to hold ONE RACE at 1 pm.

Cancelled. It was wild on Lake Michigan. We were stationed with 2 divers in our boat at Stop 20. 6 - 8 waves and we dodged a few 10 foot breaking waves. Smart, safe decision.

[Southsider2k12]

It is being rescheduled, or is it done?

[MC Born & Raised]

It is being rescheduled, or is it done?

It's done.

[j4katz]

It is being rescheduled, or is it done?

Next year.

[Job]

It's done.

It is too bad that it is not going to take place, but the lake looked bad to me. I am not surprised.

[taxthedeer]

I've always thought that our lakefront is far too violent, treacherous and unpredictable to hold this type of event in the first place. I guess every year it's going to be a crap shoot on weather they are going to race or not. In the future I will not attend this event and avoid it just like I've done with the La Porte County Fair.

[ChickenCityRoller]

The larger boats would have been FINE in those conditions, they're built for it. Tell me a 48' fountain or 50' Mystic speed boat can't handle that. One of the drivers was quoted in the ND saying "we could have done 100mph in those conditions." They should have had a shortened race, or a race with just the larger boats or at the VERY least, a parade lap so we could hear and see them. Oh well...

[j4katz]

The larger boats would have been FINE in those conditions, they're built for it. Tell me a 48' fountain or 50' Mystic speed boat can't handle that. One of the drivers was quoted in the ND saying "we could have done 100mph in those conditions." They should have had a shortened race, or a race with just the larger boats or at the VERY least, a parade lap so we could hear and see them. Oh well...

Having spent an hour on Lake Michigan yesterday (as a medical rescue boat with 2 divers on board), I disagree with your and the racer's opinion. None of the racers left the municipal dock so they have no idea of the actual conditions. It was much worse than it appeared from the shore. The waves were nothing like ocean swells. Salt water (where they race most of the time) is much more buoyant than fresh water (a boat sits lower in the water in Lake Michigan, the divers were amazed that they did not need weight belts). Yesterday's waves were very steep, close together and in a variable pattern in different directions. It was like being in a washing machine. No one who I spoke to who was actually on the water (including race officials and medical support) thought the race should have been held. Safety first!

[Southsider2k12]

Without a reschedule, hopefully this doesn't hurt the turnout in the future.

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/recreation/...23fc8034a1.html

Paul Trembacki Times Correspondent
(2) Comments

MICHIGAN CITY | Nigel Hook’s small table in the lounge of William B’s Steakhouse at Blue Chip Casino reeked of cigarettes, ale and letdown.

The Lucas Oil powerboat racer and his teammates found no fault in Super Boat International’s decision to cancel the fourth annual Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix before it even started.

The unprecedented cancellation, the first pre-race, all-out cancellation in the history of the tour, which began in 1990, nonetheless left a taste bitterer than any beer. An accident or storm have been known to stop a race midway through, but no one had a chance to get started Sunday.

“We’re very disappointed,” Hook said. “We’re absolutely distraught. That’s why we’re drinking, as consolation. There’s no one to blame other than the god Neptune.”

That Hook chose to use the Roman name for Poseidon, mythological god of the sea and marine weather, probably stems from the fact his chief mechanic, Franco Galluzo, flies in from Rome for every race.

Hook, the throttleman for his 48-foot Silverhook boat, lives in San Diego but grew up in North Hampton, England. His telemetry expert, Kieran Ironmonger, travels from Nottingham, U.K., for each race, and driver Michael Silfverberg, flies from Stockholm, Sweden, for each race.

“We have people from all over the world who come in for this race, and they’re leaving unfulfilled,” Hook said.

Organizers and officials called off the race due to safety concerns.

Although the temperature was 82 degrees below a cloudless sky, waves were in excess of seven feet, creating uncertainty about any potential rescue missions amid the treacherous water, where the probability of a crash was high.

Helicopters and dive teams are on hand in case a boat capsizes. The course marshal and other experts deemed the water too dangerous to risk racing.

“Ultimately, it’s about the safety of all of the teams,” said Rodrick Cox, media relations director for Super Boat International.

“We certainly would have loved to have the race.”

Hook contended that his boat and its twin 930-horsepower V8 engines could have topped 100 mph in the conditions but conceded that smaller boats might have faced grave danger.

“The decision to cancel it was right,” Hook said. “Safety comes first.”

Three powerboat racers died in two separate crashes at the Key West World Championships in November.

Sunday, a rescue helicopter aided in the search for a teenage spectator who fell off a jet ski off the shores of Michigan City’s Washington Park while the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Coast Guard had to assist another family whose personnel watercraft stalled in 8 foot waves. No injuries were reported in either incident.

The crowd was estimated to be 80,000 fans. Saturday's Taste of Michigan City and downtown parade drew nearly 40,000.

“The economic impact of the race probably didn’t change one iota,” said Jack Arnett, executive director of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Super Boat International and Michigan City have an agreement to keep the tour coming back for the next three years.

Hook, whose team is the leader in the Super V Extreme points standings, is excited about next year. His team, Lucas Oil, calls this a home race because of the sponsor’s base in Indiana and presence that includes Lucas Oil Stadium, where a speedboat is part of the concourse display.

“It’s one of those unfortunate things,” Hook said of Sunday’s missed opportunity. “The land, the fans and the crowds here are first class.”

[ChickenCityRoller]

Having spent an hour on Lake Michigan yesterday (as a medical rescue boat with 2 divers on board), I disagree with your and the racer's opinion. None of the racers left the municipal dock so they have no idea of the actual conditions. It was much worse than it appeared from the shore. The waves were nothing like ocean swells. Salt water (where they race most of the time) is much more buoyant than fresh water (a boat sits lower in the water in Lake Michigan, the divers were amazed that they did not need weight belts). Yesterday's waves were very steep, close together and in a variable pattern in different directions. It was like being in a washing machine. No one who I spoke to who was actually on the water (including race officials and medical support) thought the race should have been held. Safety first!

Yeah, I understand. Were you out there on your boat?! I can see why it would have been crazy and yes, while it was rough, I'll give it that, trust me, a 48' fountain with a 24 degree dead rise could handle that weather no problem. I have it from a good authority that the company which insures the sanctioning body had the final word. Was yesterday a small craft advisory?
I know all too well what the lake is capable of doing having grown up on it and being an avid boater / sailor my entire life including 6 Chicago / Macs under my belt. The conditions my sister won the Laser Worlds in last year under the golden gate was much much nastier than yesterdays conditions. That said, the small boats would have pounded the kidneys out of the drivers yesterday.
I wonder why they don't race on Saturday and then use Sunday as a rain day?

As an aside, myself and a couple friends and some other man, plucked three people out of the water at bus stop 20 who were seemingly starting to drown, an older couple and their teenage grandson.

[j4katz]

Yeah, I understand. Were you out there on your boat?! I can see why it would have been crazy and yes, while it was rough, I'll give it that, trust me, a 48' fountain with a 24 degree dead rise could handle that weather no problem. I have it from a good authority that the company which insures the sanctioning body had the final word. Was yesterday a small craft advisory?
I know all too well what the lake is capable of doing having grown up on it and being an avid boater / sailor my entire life including 6 Chicago / Macs under my belt. The conditions my sister won the Laser Worlds in last year under the golden gate was much much nastier than yesterdays conditions. That said, the small boats would have pounded the kidneys out of the drivers yesterday.
I wonder why they don't race on Saturday and then use Sunday as a rain day?

As an aside, myself and a couple friends and some other man, plucked three people out of the water at bus stop 20 who were seemingly starting to drown, an older couple and their teenage grandson.

Not our boat, that would have been insane. We were on a 29 foot Chapparal that was tossed around like a cork. I disagree with your assessment. It would have been a blast sailing yesterday. Last time I checked sailing top speed for a laser is about 20 knots. Guess we will never know the answer to the question, but it is assured that no one was injured and no boats were damaged to satisfy rampant testosterone.

[ChickenCityRoller]

Not our boat, that would have been insane. We were on a 29 foot Chapparal that was tossed around like a cork. I disagree with your assessment. It would have been a blast sailing yesterday. Last time I checked sailing top speed for a laser is about 20 knots. Guess we will never know the answer to the question, but it is assured that no one was injured and no boats were damaged to satisfy rampant testosterone.

20 knot max winds? Nooo... if you're good you can go out in much heavier than that. When my sister won the worlds last summer under the golden gate bridge, she said more than half of the woman's field never even competed because they didn't want to sign of on the waiver saying they were comfy sailing in 25+ knot winds. BTW, she was using a radial rig.

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=87...id=20&rid=4

[j4katz]

20 knot max winds? Nooo... if you're good you can go out in much heavier than that. When my sister won the worlds last summer under the golden gate bridge, she said more than half of the woman's field never even competed because they didn't want to sign of on the waiver saying they were comfy sailing in 25+ knot winds.

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=87...id=20&rid=4

Not 20 knot winds, I have gone out in more than that, I was referring to hull speed.

[ChickenCityRoller]

Not our boat, that would have been insane.

yeah it would have been!

If you were out at bus stop 20, you probably saw us partying in the house with the gazebo that hangs over the seawall.

[j4katz]

yeah it would have been!

If you were out at bus stop 20, you probably saw us partying in the house with the gazebo that hangs over the seawall.

Did not spend anytime looking at anything other than the waves we had to maneuver around to avoid being swamped. LOL