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Best Viewing is from Lido
Beach
Click the map for the official nautical chart map.
Tentative Race Schedule
2 Race Heats at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For live race updates and info: SNN 6
Boat Ramp Closure / Parking
Centennial Park Boat Ramps will be closed 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July
3 through 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 6. All non-event related
vehicles without proper credentials must be removed or they will be
towed at the owner’s expense. All other public boat ramps will be
open.
Notice of Street Closures
Portions of Main Street will be closed for the Parade and Block
Party on Thursday July 3, beginning at Noon. US Hwy. 301 will be
closed between Ringling and Fruitville at approximately 5:00 p.m.
 This
year’s 24th Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival and Race
is dedicated to Kevin Brown for his tireless efforts for so many
years. Kevin’s spirit is alive and vibrant in all of us who work
toward making this annual Festival and Offshore Race a success.
Thank you Kevin, for making such a difference in the lives of so
many children with special needs and to all who were fortunate
enough to have known you.
Kevin Brown
Race Chairman – Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix
Board Member - Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped, Inc.
Board of Governors and Chief Referee – Super Boat International
This year’s Suncoast Offshore
Grand Prix Race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 6, and
will run from New Pass to Big Pass. This adjusted race course is
approximately 6.5 miles long and the best viewing will be from the
Lido Beach area. Currently we have scheduled two heats beginning
at 11:00 a.m. and the second heat starting at approximately 1:00
p.m.
The re-configuration of the race course was guided by
several factors, which could not be controlled by the Festival
Steering Committee. Super Boat International/APBA Productions Inc.
has been allowing the Sarasota race site to exceed the maximum
race course length for the last several years. Currently the rule
requires that the race course be no less than 5 miles long and no
longer than 10 miles long. This regulation is based on several
issues from the insurance company, which include current medical
response requirements and current mammal watch requirements. In
order to continue to have a sanctioned race, the Sarasota race
site had to conform with the rule on the race course length.
Currently to maintain the integrity of a 13-mile race course, it
takes nearly 60 law enforcement, medical rescue and volunteer
patrol vessels, as well as 2 dedicated helicopters for marine
mammal watch. By shortening the race course, the amount of vessels
needed will be reduced, and the medical response time will be
shortened. In addition, it will enable us to leave both New Pass
and Big Pass open during the event. It is now, and has always
been, the goal of the Festival Steering Committee to put on the
safest, most exciting offshore power boat race possible, within
the confines of the rules and regulations of the sanctioning body,
governmental agencies, and still working within the natural
restraints of our coastline.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Kevin Brown – Race Chairman
Lucy Nicandri – Festival Coordinator
Cal Erb
Ron Foxworthy
Tom Houser
Donnie McDonough
SPECIAL EVENT CHAIRS
Bob & Sherry Rizi - Golf Tournament
Jamie Wood - Golf Tournament
Hollis Tucker - Kickoff Party
Donnie McDonough - Kickoff Party
Jack Cox - Kickoff Party
Tom Houser - Powerboats By The Bay
Pat Horner - Fishing Tournament
Catherine Woosley - World’s Largest Offshore Party
Steve Perreault - Parade of Boats
Karen Reynolds, Powerboats By The Bay
Cheryl Smith - Parade of Boats
Lucy Nicandri - Meet and Greet Who's In the Driver's Seat Brunch
Trish Payne - Motorcycle "Patriotic Celebration Ride"
Mark Willett - Motorcycle "Patriotic Celebration Ride"
Ernie Ritz - Downtown Block Party
Scott Kessler - People's Choice Bike Show
Kevin Brown - Race Chairman
Dan Wolfert - Sarasota Reds Baseball Night
RACE COMMITTEE
Chief Peter J. Abbott, SPD - Law Enforcement
Doug Peters - Water Support
Jeff Lukowsky - Tow & Patrol
Jayne Smith, SPD - Law Enforcement
Sheriff William F. Balkwill, SSO - Law Enforcement
Capt. Tom King - Fire Rescue Race Control
CPO John Brown - U.S. Coast Guard
Kyle Brown - Hot Pits
Tom Brown - Hot Pits
Pedie Hipps - Aviation/Security
Tom Houser - Course Setup
Jeff Lukowsky - Water Support
Rick Meyer - Race Control
Pat Neill - Hot Pits
Blaise Pierson - Aviation
Rande Starline - Race Control
FESTIVAL SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS
Jack Thompson, Sandy Thompson - Volunteer Coordinators
Nichole Double - Volunteer Coordinator
Danielle Deveraux - Volunteer Coordinator
J. Meric - Festival Photographer
Dan Kriwitsky - Website Support
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