Extra Excitement For 1000 Islands Poker Run Fans
Story and photos by Norm Rosen

The 1000 Islands Poker Run weekend built to a climax sunday morning as Poker Runners readied their boats for the ultimate test of skill on the water 每 matching their performance to the official radar run results to claim the Poker Runs America Kingston Cup, sponsored by Scott Industral Services. In keeping with the concept that performance boating should be a safe and enjoyable activity for the entire family, the PRA Kingston Cup requires drivers to predict their speed as they break the radar beam - the boat that comes closest to ※hitting the mark§ without going over the speed is declared the winner. Each boat gets three passes through the course. Unlike a Kilo competition, which is based purely on the top speed attained through a measured kilometer, the ※hit the mark§ shootout can theoretically focus on any cruising speed 每 it is up to the competitor to set the target speed＃ most choose a mark toward the high end of their boat＊s cruising capabilities. Even with the latest in GPS, this is not an easy task 每 the river current, winds, and water conditions all affect the boater＊s ability to fine tune speed to within 1/10 of a mile per hour. With spectator boats lining the southern perimeter of the course, and fans languishing on the shoreline, ten boats competed for top honors. Next up was Brian Lundy in his 36＊ Cigarette, aiming for a speed of an even 85 mph 每 at 75.9 mph the St. Lawrence was not about to give up so easily. With the trophy still up for grabs, Rejean and Jennifer Doucet entered the course with their 45＊ Sonic. After experiencing some mechanical difficulties during the poker run on Saturday, they chose to aim for a conservative 50 mph run. With a first run of 51.4 mph, thery were out of luck because they came in at just 1.4 mph above their mark. Wayne Casey had been running over and under his mark of 75 mph during the practice runs, and posted a disappointing 64.0 mph on the first official run through the course. With the gleam of the Knigston Cup firmly in his sights, Ric Burley nudged his 32＊ Skater through the course at 80.2 mph, just 1.8 mph off his mark of 82mph 每 and right on target to tie for the lead. Chuck Allen stepped up to the plate with 88 mph on his mind, but his 36＊ Nor-Tech had other ideas, and the radar clocked just 81.8 mph. Gene Weeks was up next, with his brand new 38＊ Donzi ZR promising an impressive 97 mph. Depending on your point of view, either a flock of Canada geese or a Donzi ZR logged 79.1 mph on the first run＃ impressive for the geese, but not quite what Gene had in mind. Aaron Jolley set his mark for 74.7 mph, and his 42＊ Sonic delivered 62.9 on the first pass 每 not even close, but the crowd was working up to a fever pitch because local favorite Bill Tomlinson was approaching the course with his 46＊ Skater ※My Way§. Bill＊s boat is a modern legend in the 1000 Islands region, and regularly thrills Kingston area fans with its twin Lycoming turbine engines. There＊s something about the leading edge of technology 每 when it works, everything is rosy 每 but when something goes wrong, the results can be equally impressive 每 ※My Way§ was the first competitor to fall prey to mechanical gremlins. The Skater, which normally posts speeds well in excess of the century mark, limped through the finish line at 110 mph 每 the fastest speed of the day, but well short of Bill＊s 175 mph mark, and the gap was 65 mph! Bill Taylor batted clean-up, steering the Poker Runs America 47＊ Fountain pace boat onto the course. With a group of local VIP＊s on board, the Fountain shattered the 70 mph mark by a solid 15 mph, posting a first run result of 85 mph, bringing a smile to the faces of everyone on board 每 there＊s nothing quite like the 85 mph mark to give you a performance boating face lift! As the competition progressed, drivers dialed-in their boats to within a few mph of their targets. Gene Weeks piloted his Donzi through the course at 97.7 mph, just .7 mph above his mark. Brian Lundy logged an 81.8, just 3.2 mph short of his 85 mph mark. Jennifer and Rejean Doucet came within .8 mph of their 50 mph target, with a final run of 50.8. Aaron Jolley overshot his mark by just .6 mph, with his best run clocked at 75.3. Bill Tomlinson coaxed 150 mph out of the wounded ※My Way§, but still came up 25 mph short of his target, and Bill Taylor was the perfect host, finishing his runs by logging 68.3 mph, just 1.7 mph shy of the mark. When the rooster tails settled, the competition was as close as it could be. Chuck Allen notched a run of 87 mph, just 1 mph short of the target. Rick Burley matched that performance, posting 81 mph against his mark of 82. Wayne Casey had been over and under his mark during the first two runs, and finished strong with a 74.7 mph, just .3 mph short of his target. In an impressive show of skill (which some on the poker run circuit spell P-U-R-E-L-U-C-K), Paul Honeywell throttled his T-502 powered 33＊ Eliminator with a velvet glove to precisely match his 80.6 mph mark, taking the top honors at the 2006 Kingston Cup.

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The winning couple, Tammy Wyatt and Paul Honeywell accept the 2006 Kingston Cup.


Aaron Jolley＊s 42＊ Sonic overshot the mark by just .6 mph, with his best run clocked at 75.3.


Jennifer and Rejean Doucet came within .8 mph of their 50 mph target, with a final run of 50.8.


The crowd was working up to a fever pitch because local favorite Bill Tomlinson was approaching the course with his wounded 46＊ Skater ※My Way.§ The Skater, which normally posts speeds well in excess of the century mark, posted 150 mph - 25 mph short of the target.


Ric Burley nudged his 32＊ Skater through the course at 80.2 mph, just 1.8 mph off his mark of 82mph.


Chuck Allen stepped up to the plate with 88 mph on his mind, but his 36＊ Nor-Tech had other ideas, and the radar clocked just 81.8 mph.


Brian Lundy his 36＊ Cigarette, logged an 81.8, just 3.2 mph short of his 85 mph mark. The St. Lawrence was not about to give up so easily.


Wayne Casey had been over and under his mark during the first two runs, and finished strong with a 74.7 mph, just .3 mph short of his target.


Gene Weeks piloted his Donzi through the course at 97.7 mph, just .7 mph above his mark.
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