The who¡¯s who of
performance boating and celebrities of North America¡¯s poker
run circuit were all in attendance at the fourth annual Poker
Runs America Miami Boat Bash and World Championship Poker
Run Party.
It was just four years ago when Poker Runs America publisher
Bill Taylor came up with a new plan to take the poker run
concept to an entirely new level. Wanting to create a world
championship poker run title, Bill opted to take the excitement
from the water to center stage and bring together the first
place winners of nearly every major poker run event under
one roof to play a game a chance and vie for the world championship
title. To raise the stakes even higher, it was decided to
host the performance spectacle in the heart of Miami, Florida,
during the Miami International Boat Show, one of most anticipated
and thrilling events on the performance calendar.
Now in its fourth year, the event is as popular as ever among
the performance crowd. The party raises the bar of excitement
every February and has been hosted at such luxurious resorts
as the Ritz Fontainbleau Hilton and the Roney Palace Ocean
Front Resort on Collin¡¯s Avenue in Miami¡¯s ultra-chic South
Beach.
This year, Poker Runs America¡¯s Miami Boat Bash and World
Championship Poker Run Party was held Friday February 16th
at the opulent Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel, the host venue
for the in-water portion of the boat show and one of the top
ocean front resorts in the greater Miami area. The spectacle
attracted more than 500 guests, representing the marine industry¡¯s
leading boat manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers, as well
as many of North America¡¯s most popular poker run teams and
offshore racers.
As in recent years, first place winners from more than 80
poker run events and their organizers were invited to face-off
against one another, each anxious for the unveiling of the
cards that would determine the next World Poker Run Champion.
In traditional Poker Runs America fashion, the spectacle kicked-off
with exciting live music, sponsored by Montano Motorsports,
along with an excellent buffet spread, cold beverages, and
tantalizing hors-d¡¯oeuvres. The hotel¡¯s luxurious ballroom
also featured a jumbo TV screen highlighting the sponsors
and key poker run events across North America.
Halfway through the evening, the cards were drawn revealing
the 2006 World Poker Run Champion. The title went to Carl
Forss of Watkinville, Georgia, owner of a 382 Formula Fas3Tech
and winner of last season¡¯s APRA-sanctioned Rock the Bay Poker
Run in North East Maryland. Winning with an Eight of Clubs,
Two of Diamonds. Two of Clubs, Seven of Diamonds and Two of
Hearts, the 2006 Poker Run World Champion received a his/her
Gevril watch set, valued at $10,000, and the World Champion
Poker Run trophy. Organizer of the Rock the Bay Poker Run,
Jeff Jennings, accepted the award on his behalf.
The stage is now permanently set as Poker Runs America will
be announcing a new world champion each year at this annual
performance gala. All first place winners from poker run events
around the globe are invited to participate and play a game
of chance to win the Poker Run World Championship title. Be
sure to mark your calendars for the crowning of the fifth
annual Poker Run World Champion at next year¡¯s Miami Boat
Show Friday, February 16, 2008.
The World Champion Poker Run title went to
Carl Forss, former winner of the Rock The Bay Poker Run in
North East, Maryland. While the award was accepted by the
organizer of the Rock The Bay Poker Run, Jeff Jennings, Carl
won the title with an eight of Clubs, Two of Diamonds, Two
of Clubs, Seven of Diamonds, and Two of Hearts.
SPONSORS
Carrie Covers
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Mercury Marine
Montano Motorsports
Myco Trailers
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