The
2006 Sarasota Spring Opener kicked-off with a rushing blitz of performance
with more than 90 boats and distinguished sport celebrities, NFL Hall
of Famer John Elway and Tennessee Titans’ Albert Haynesworth.
By Stu
McDonald
The new Poker Runs America 47’ Fountain.
Onboard from top left;
PRA’s Dave Kirkland, Rick Mackie of Mercury Racing,
PRA’s Bill Taylor and offshore superstar, Reggie Fountain.
(See more pictures in the
magazine...)
T
he 2006 winter Olympics are now just records in the history
books, the 2008 summer Olympics are still deep in the planning
stages, but the 2006 Poker Runs America Tour, presented by Mercury
Racing, has arrived. The poker games began with the largest
turnout ever at the Sarasota Spring Opener, held March 31-April
1, when more than 90 of the most exotic poker run boats congregated
at the Hyatt Hotel for what turned out to be one of the greatest
weekends in poker run history.
After several months of visiting the series of boat shows, dreaming
of clear, blue skies and pristine waters, the time had finally
come for this annual performance spectacle. And what a spectacle
it was! Builders arrived with many exciting new products and
poker runners were more than eager to show off their new acquisitions.
The big boys of the circuit were there in full force, along
with a few new boats and faces including Mark Hawkins, who introduced
us to BladeRunner, an intriguing performance boat manufacturer
from the United Kingdom, and Jonathan Mangual, of Adrenaline
Powerboats who exhibited his new 30’ model. It was a pleasure
to see Ed Carlin in a new 36’ Concept as well. In fact,
Ed used this center console (equipped with twin Mercury outboards)
as an extra chase boat for the event, assisting Scott Gaines
in a 42’ Fountain. We’d like to thank Ed and Scott
for their valuable assistance – every bit helps when there
are more than 90 performance boats at a poker run. On the water
for the first time was the new World Cat safety boat, driven
by Poker Runs America’s Bill Jennings who ran with two
of the four paramedics. The second pair of paramedics were aboard
Frank Pisano’s 42’ Formula. Jim Ferguson of Marine
Engineering and Joe Spina of Securamax also lent a helping hand
by finding a place to store all the boat trailers, which was
just a short distance from the launch ramp. It’s often
quite difficult to find an area for more than 90 trailers and
we can’t thank Jim and Joe enough for their help.
As the docks filled beyond capacity, the crowds had plenty to
admire. The parking lot turned into a mini boat show, Outerlimits
opened up their large rig, Velocity Powerboats served up the
entertainment at their hospitality center – a 45’
Featherlite coach and models from MTI and Cigarette were put
on display. Hideaway Marina and Nor-Tech also showcased exhibits.
Inside the Hyatt, registration was a busy place as poker runners
lined up to check in for the event and casually browsed the
vast selection of safety equipment showcased by David Clark
Company and Tiger Performance Products.
The docks were also busy as crowds gathered to get a close-up
and personal glimpse of the awesome power, which included arsenal
from all the major builders. Skip Braver and Neil Hernandez
of Cigarette Racing were eager to spread the word about the
six new models, which they had tied to the docks. One popular
model was Skip Braver’s 46’ American Muscle III.
But this time, it was in the hands of new owner, John Elway
who in 1979 was the highest recruited pro athlete in the country.
Following a successful and astounding career as quarter back
with the Denver Broncos, John was elected to the Pro Football
Hall of Fame in 2004. Another celebrity on deck was Albert Haynesworth
of Nashville, Tennessee, a pro defensive tackle for the Tennessee
Titans. Albert entered the run with his new Outerlimits, X Factor.
Doug Valentine and Gene Weekes were also on hand from Donzi
Marine, helping out Josh Stickles, vice-president of marketing
for Donzi, who couldn’t attend the event due to a prior
commitment. Josh was getting married and we would like to extend
our best wishes to him and his new bride.
Mike and Paul Fiore of Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats had a
fleet of models alongside the Quay, while Nor-Tech’s Trond
Schou and Terry Sobo filled the next six slips with several
models including an all-new canopied cat named Danger Zone.
While performance boats are getting larger all the time, it
came as no surprise to see a dazzling selection of 39- and 41-foot
boats from Steve Stepp and Velocity Powerboats, along with several
new 47’ Fountains, including the new Poker Runs America
pace-boat driven this weekend by Reggie Fountain. Another new
47’ Fountain was also onsite, owned by Troy Links. Proprietor
of Jack Links Beef Jerky, Troy had his “Jerky Girls”
present handing out samples of his product. David Woods of Pier
57 and Randy Scism of MTI brought boats from all over the country,
showcasing a dynamic display of 42- and 44-foot cats.
Two major players, Cigarette Racing and Douglas Skater, hosted
the opening festivities on Friday evening. As the music began,
supplied by Gary Montano of Montano Motorsports, and the cocktails
flowed poolside at the Hyatt, poker runners from far and wide
made many new friends and renewed old acquaintances. Poker runs
these days are more exciting and entertaining than most family
reunions, but this is what poker runs have evolved into - family
affairs. In fact, Tamara Taylor presented a special gift to
her mother Marilyn, who was celebrating her 21st birthday! (As
this is a family event, nothing more will be mentioned about
the gift!)
On Saturday morning, with a total of 92 boats registered, it
was time for the mandatory driver’s meeting. Taking center
stage was Poker Runs America’s Dave Kirkland, explaining
the course and emphasizing the safety rules that are enforced
at every Poker Runs America event. Sgt. Kevin Stiff of Sarasota’s
finest was even present to explain safety concerns. This year’s
route would take the fleet south from Sarasota, through the
Boca Grande pass, across Charlotte Harbor and into Fisherman’s
Wharf for lunch at Harpoon Harry’s, then a return trip
back to the Hyatt in Sarasota.
A huge thank-you is in order for owner Chris Evans for all his
help with the lunch stop. We also have to thank one of our poker
runners who was very involved with the arrangements for this
stop as well as arranging the fuel trucks filled with high-octane
gas and outlining waypoints for the route. Roger LaPierre and
his wife Marilyn, from Gouveneur, New York (and winter Floridians)
gave us invaluable assistance and their help was greatly appreciated.
Special kudos is also in order to Bill Jennings for helping
with waypoint information.
As poker runners set off on the course, the fleet split into
two groups, led by their respective pace boats and escorted
through New Pass and out to the Atlantic by Sgt. Stiff in one
of the Sarasota Police boats. This turned out to be the best
Parade of Power ever seen in the area. Sgt. Stiff later commended
the drivers for their good seamanship and respecting the no
wake zones.
The first group, comprised of the faster boats, were led farther
out into the ocean by the Poker Runs America pace boat and the
Formula Fas3Tech driven by Formula’s Vic Spellberg. The
second group, led by Gene Weeks in a factory 38 ZR Donzi and
Peter Mazzo in a brand new 46’ Outerlimits, cruised south
closer to the shoreline so the smaller boats were clear of the
large wakes of the big boys.
This run gave the poker runners various water conditions and
going full speed over two-foot waves as far as Boca Grande pass
was a most exhilarating experience. It was then calm, perfect
water across Charlotte Bay and up the Intracoastal.
Following lunch at Harpoon Harry’s, the fleet headed to
Gasparilla Marina to play the next card, which was handed out
by a pirate who had apparently strayed away from the waters
of the Caribbean. Large crowds were along the docks at Gasparilla
Marina to watch the boats idle slowly in and out of the marina
– special thanks to John Chaplin for his assistance.
Due to the large number of boats, the scheduled card stop in
Venice was cancelled and the fleet headed directly to the Hyatt
Marina to play cards four and five. There was quite a surprise
for the crews upon their arrival at the Hyatt. The Sarasota
Lady had arrived to board passengers for a sunset cruise. This
90-foot cruise caused some difficulties for docking at the marina,
but as usual, the poker runners took this in stride and nobody
was left drifting off into the sunset.
With the boats tied up for the night, it was time to party and
party they did – not only around the docks – but
during the awards banquet and later at many establishments around
Sarasota. Due to the annual “Miss Watermelon Pageant”
(and I won’t go any further on that one!) the awards banquet
was held at the Sarasota Municipal Hall, a short walk from the
hotel. As poker runners gathered for cocktails and a delicious
buffet dinner, the cards were revealed and the winners took
their places. (Top) |
(l-r) Randy Swears, Lucy Taylor and Zack Taylor,
owners of a new canopied 43’ Nor-Tech, and Ron McLean.
Lois and Charlie Amarosi with Steve Stepp, owner
of Velocity Powerboats, and his wife Kim.
(l-r) Marilyn DeMartini with poker runners Scott
Dennis, David Cohen, and James Goldman.
Troy Links of Jack Links Jerky with his “Jerky
Girls.”
Sponsors relaxing at the party. (l-r) Angie Tooley
and Reggie Fountain,
owner of Cigarette Racing Skip Braver, Neil Hernandez, vice-president
of
marketing for Cigarette Racing and David Woods of Pier 57.
Pierre and Danielle Gaudreau, owners of Hideaway
Marina,
simply proved poker runs are a family affair as they enjoyed
the event with their adorable son, Blake.
The event headquarters resembled a mini boat show
rather than a poker run!
(See more pictures in the magazine...)
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