By Eric Colby

In offshore racing terms, John Carbonell definitely thinks outside the promotional box. In February 2007, for example, as part of the Super Bowl XLI activities in Miami, he’s staging an offshore race under his Super Boat International/American Power Boat Association Offshore banner. Before that in December of this year, his organization is shipping five boats to China for an exhibition series of races. “We’re doing fine and we’re sticking to our business plan and everything is working out,” said the understated veteran of more than 25 years in offshore racing as a competitor and promoter. SBI/APBA Offshore is running a 12-race series this year, concluding with the national champions being crowned at the Deerfield Beach, Fla., race and the world championship at Key West, Fla., arguably the most famous venue in all of offshore racing. The 13 classes in the organization range from the Superboat Unlimited catamarans that approach 200 mph to single-engine open-cockpit boats that run in the Production 5 class. There truly is something for everyone. What sets apart Carbonell and SBI/APBA Offshore from other organizations in the sport is that he looks it as a business. His is not a group run by racers for racers. It is a for-profit venture that needs to pay its bills to continue to produce events and improve its product. This season, he has taken a different approach to television. Locking into a season-long commitment with a single channel or network is a double-edged sword, something Carbonell learned last year with Outdoor Life Network. SBI/APBA Offshore had the network’s highest-rated daytime show, but Carbonell was disappointed with the channel’s lack of promotion of his organization and its races so for 2006 he’s moved on. Instead, he’s working with different producers for different channels. The Marathon, Fla., race from May 21, will air on Fox Sports Network, but when SBI/APBA Offshore heads to Washington, N.C., for its annual event at the Fountain Powerboats headquarters, National Geographic will be on hand to produce a show on the race. Carbonell said that going with different channels gives him better opportunities for his organization and for the sport. That’s one of the reasons why he changed the name from Super Boat Productions to Super Boat International a few years back. It gives him a more worldwide reach. As such, two boats from Italy will be competing at this year’s world championships, having qualified in Union Internationale Motonautique’s events this year. Additionally, the boats and teams that are participating in the China exhibitions in China are fully sponsored. On the home front, Carbonell has series sponsorship from Fountain Powerboats, Sunoco Racing Fuels and others. The Hard Rock Casino is a presenting sponsor for the Florida races and at other sites, he’s teaming up with local Native American tribes to promote their casinos. He said he’s been getting inquiries from as many as 10 cities in the United States to host events and that his organization’s fleet is strong at every race. Even if he thinks outside the box promotionally, Carbonell knows he needs a good show with fast boats to please racing fans. Don’t be surprised if the best competition during Super Bowl weekend is the offshore race. (Close Window)