It was one of the most beautiful weekends for performance boating
每 the Gulf waters were flat; the weather was ideal,
and the hospitality 每 as perfect as can be＃
By Stu MacDonald




(Tampa Harbor Yacht Club 每 our hosts for the lunch stop.)
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The 2006 Poker Runs America Tour came full circle in October, when more than 80 poker runners converged on the beautiful Sarasota Hyatt for the season finale 每 the Sarasota Fall Poker Run. The season had begun in Sarasota, in early April, with a record turnout at the Annual Spring event, and many of the participants returned to Sarasota, joining a fleet of eighty-seven of the most exotic high-performance boats, converging at the Hyatt on the Bay for yet another superb weekend of excitement on the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Many of the entrants and all of the sponsors that churned up the waters of Sarasota Bay in the spring were back to do it again. Some of the poker runners returned with their tried and trusted boats but others with new, bigger and hopefully better ※toys§. This event was a big one 每 with the most exotic poker run boats coming in from all across North America. Factory teams were there in full force to give us a preview of the very latest in design and technology for the new model year. New hulls, new paint schemes, and the latest in power were on display before the most enthusiastic performance boating audience. The large turnout was an exciting culmination to the season, especially since the Sarasota run came only two weeks after our big Platinum Poker Run in Stuart, FLA. If this is an indication of the growth of the Poker Run phenomenon, you can imagine how exciting the spring season opener in Sarasota will be! The Hyatt Hotel is an almost perfect spot to host a poker run. The surroundings are magical; the exotic pool area is a perfect party venue, the high-class cuisine is exquisite and the Hyatt staff cannot do enough to cater to everyone＊s needs. So why is it ※almost perfect§? There is just one word which most people recognize, ※Docks§. Every owner that enters a boat at this event wants to be up front and center in the Hyatt Marina, but unfortunately, with 49 slips and 87 boats, it＊s a ※Houston, we have a problem§ situation. Thankfully, most of the Poker Runners appreciate the dilemma that we are faced with, and many are prepared to make use of the slips at Marina Jack, which is only a short distance from the Hyatt. A courtesy shuttle was provided to ferry people between the two venues, and complimentary cocktails were available on Friday afternoon. Marina Jack features beautiful docks, great hospitality, a wonderful restaurant and two bars - some boaters prefer the easy access to the slips, especially those who want to go cruising on Friday and don＊t want to be blocked into the Hyatt Marina by up to two and a half thousand feet of fiberglass. The annual Friday evening poolside bash was a big hit with the poker runners, as they basked in the warmth of a tropical soiree, sponsored by Cigarette Racing and Douglas Marine Skater. It＊s always a great time to renew friendships and make new acquaintances. The music, supplied by Gary Montano, entertained the crowd. As the evening turned into night, the crowd just did not want to leave. The bartenders where ready to close, but the poker runners said otherwise, so the party went on, even when the poolside bars closed down, and people adjourned to the Boat House bar, where our favorite bartender, ※Poker Run Bobby§, was awaiting a late night rush. The action kicked into high gear on Saturday morning with a driver＊s breakfast, followed by the mandatory drivers meeting, where Dave Kirkland and the Poker Run Safety Team briefed the drivers and navigators on safety regulations and the various operational and ecological considerations of the course. There was one major change from our traditional Sarasota route - most of the run would be completed before the lunch stop, leaving a shorter leg to the finish. With magnificent sunshine and calm waters, everyone was pumped and ready to go with more than 100,000 horsepower. The course took the boats from Sarasota bay to John＊s Pass Marine (Treasure Island), alongside the famous Gators Caf谷, for the second card pick-up. This was the longest leg that has ever been run at any Poker Runs America event. From John＊s Pass, the fleet headed back south and into Tampa Bay, under the Sunshine Skyway, and then traveled all the way across the bay, passing St. Pete＊s Pier, the usual card stop, and into Tampa Harbor Yacht Club for lunch. Tampa Harbor Yacht Club is part of the Yacht Clubs of the Americas chain of ※Dockominiums§. Steeven Knight, founder of Y.C.O.A, supplied a lunch that was appreciated by everybody. It is the first time that poker runners have been able to choose what they wanted off the regular restaurant menu. This did slow down service somewhat, but with only a short leg to the homeport, beautiful sunny weather, and on-site entertainment nobody seemed to mind waiting the extra time for lunch to be served. Many of the poker runners took advantage of the time to tour the Yacht Club and view all the new condominiums and the marina facilities. For more information on Yacht Clubs of the Americas pick-up a past issue of Poker Runs America Magazine (Volume 9 Number 9), or visit our website at pokerrunsamerica.com. After a great lunch, the fleet set out from Tampa Harbor for the final leg. It was a magnificent sight to see the whole fleet slicing across the flat waters of Tampa Bay as they headed back out onto the Gulf, to Long Boat Key to collect card number four from the docks at the Mar Vista Restaurant and Marina. Some of the fleet took the option of continuing south on the Intercoastal into Sarasota Bay and the Hyatt Marina, and some went back out onto the Gulf to get a final high speed run before slowing down and entering Sarasota Bay via New Pass. With all the fleet safely back in their slips, at the Hyatt and Marina Jack, it was time for everyone to collect card number five and hope that they had the winning hand. This would not be revealed until the evening banquet, so until then it was time to lubricate dry throats and tell tales of the day＊s events. Many people took advantage of the swimming pool, the outdoor spa and of course the Hurricane Hut. As the sun set and the humidity of the day fell, it was a perfect evening on the terrace before the evening festivities. The banquet was well attended by more than 400 poker runners, and after food was served, and the video of the days run enjoyed by all, it was time to play the cards. Emcee Dave Kirkland took the microphone and after welcoming everyone to the awards, he asked Tony Esposito from Custom Marine to describe the CMI/PRA photo contest that had run during the summer months. With a theme of ※Let＊s See What＊s Under Your Hatch!§ the contest drew hundreds of entries from boaters who provided a running shot of their boats, and a photo of their engine compartment. Tony introduced Ron and Tana Sammons, the first prize winners of the contest. Their prize for winning was their entry and hotel accommodation for the Sarasota Poker Run. After this brief interlude, it was time to reveal the cards. In third place with two pairs was Bill Robins who had traveled from Humble, Texas with his 38＊ Fountain. He went home with a trophy, a cheque for $500, a DVD player, a TV, a UFlex steering wheel, and a pair of Pentax binoculars. The second best card hand (three sevens) was held by Dan Jenkins from J & J Sales in Ohio, who hauled a 38＊ Cigarette Top Gun to the event. His haul for the second place finish was a trophy, a cheque for $1,500, a certificate for a Mercury Racing jacket, a DVD player, a TV, a stereo system, a UFlex steering wheel, a pair of Pentax binoculars, and a Budweiser umbrella. The winning hand (three jacks and two queens, belonged to Michael Schnell who traveled from Oak Forest, Illinois with his 38＊ Formula ※Inferno§ Michael collected a trophy, along with a cheque for $3,000, a prop certificate from Mercury, a Gevril timepiece valued at $3,000, a DVD player, TV, Stereo, a pair of David Clark Headsets, a UFlex steering wheel, and a pair of Pentax binoculars. Once again, Sarasota proved to be the ideal venue for the Poker Run tour to conclude an outstanding season of performance boating. The Poker Runs America spring season opener returns to Sarasota March 30-31, 2007 to kick off another season of high octane excitement on the water. PRESENTING OUR SPONSORS＃ - MERCURY RACING - AQUA TOY STORE - BUDWEISER - CIGARETTE RACING TEAM - COBRA POWER - CUSTOM MARINE - DAVID CLARK COMPANY - DONZI MARINE - DOUBLE R PERFORMANCE (NOR-TECH NORTH) - DOUGLAS SKATER - FOUNTAIN POWERBOATS - HIDEAWAY MARINA - OUTERLIMITS POWERBOATS - MONTANO MOTORSPORTS - MYCO TRAILERS - NOR-TECH - PIER 57 - RIO ROSES - SHOGREN MARINE - TYPHOON MARINE - VELOCITY POWERBOATS - YACHT CLUBS OF THE AMERICAS

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Lunch at Yacht Clubs of the Americas.


Tron Schou of Nor-Tech and friends.


It＊s always exciting at the Cigarette/Skater Sarasota Extravaganza on Friday Night.


Beauty among the beasts.


Slater Smith and David Woods, Pier 57.


Outerlimits display at the Hyatt.

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