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The Birth of a Poker Run – For the past few years, Bill Beccaro an attorney from Essex, CT has been asking Poker Runs America to produce and host an event in the Connecticut / Long Island area. During the Sarasota Poker Run last April we sat down and discussed the possibilities… the concept was intriguing, to say the least – a tri-state event covering Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island, that would introduce a new group of performance boating enthusiasts to the Poker Run experience. After our preliminary meetings to discuss the feasibility of the new event we decided that 2006 would be the year to launch the Connecticut/Long Island Poker Run. My wife Marilyn and I flew in to meet with Chris Cestaro of Ocean Performance, and Bill, who gave us an in-depth tour of the area. Our first priority was to find a really unique area – Chris Cestaro was kind enough to offer his entire Ocean Performance facility, consisting of a series of cavernous buildings, a world class sales and service facility, and a fabulous area to park all of the boat trailers. Bill Beccaro spent countless hours with PRA’s Richard Crowder, laying the groundwork for the event. They spent many days working with officials from the Coast Guard, Police, and municipalities as they developed the Poker Run route. We ended up with one of the most interesting venues on the Poker Run circuit – thanks in great measure to the tireless efforts of Bill, Chris, and the staff of Ocean Performance, whose enthusiasm for the event injected that special energy so essential to a memorable weekend on the water. -Bill Taylor Poker Runs America extends a hearty thank-you to owner Chris Cestaro and the entire staff from Ocean Performance. Carol Shabbott had 45 Ocean Performance staff working on the event in various capacities and they were treated to a day on the water and dinner at the Mohegan Sun. A special thanks as well to Bill Beccaro, and all of the local officials who were on hand to assure a smooth event. We would also like to acknowledge with thanks the great job done by the water authorities whose efforts made for a safe and enjoyable event for all participants and spectators.

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The first annual Mohegan Sun Connecticut/Long Island Poker Run set a new standard for performance boating events when more than fifty boats, and close to 200 participants, brought the thundering excitement of offshore boating to the town of Old Saybrook, CT and Long Island Sound on the weekend of July 14-16, 2006. Hosted by Poker Runs America Magazine, in conjunction with Ocean Performance, one of the world’s premier and longest-operating high performance boat dealers, the Mohegan Sun Poker Run was set in the splendor of one of the world’s largest and most upscale resort complexes, encompassing more than 300,000 square feet of gaming excitement, over 20 restaurants, 40 plus shops, parking for more than 13,000 vehicles, and a luxurious 34-storey, 1,200-room hotel. Whether you pull your boat with a motorhome or a tractor trailer, the lot at the Mohegan Sun is large enough to accommodate all of the toys that Poker Runners enjoy. Located less than 2 hour drive from New York City or Boston, there is no limit to the entertainment options available during the course of a weekend at the Mohegan Sun Resort, and the upscale atmosphere added that touch of luxury to one of the most unique boating events on the poker run circuit. for example, just take a look at the roster of top name entertainers headlining at the Mohegan Sun Arena – Ringo Star was on stage while we were at the hotel, and as you read this issue, the Blue Man Group will be appearing, followed by Patti Labelle, Eric Clapton, Loretta Lynn and Randy Travis, Aaron Neville… and the list goes on and on – check the website at http://www.mohegansun.com for the latest schedule. The Mohegan Sun Poker Run started on a high note on Friday, with Ocean Performance opening the dealership’s expansive facilities in Old Saybrook, CT for the registration phase of the event. With boats launching every few minutes from the state ramp, and the lifts at Ragged Rock Marina, and then converging for refreshments and snacks at Ocean Performance, less than a minute from the launch sites, the party atmosphere was established early, and it continued throughout the weekend. After the first wave of boats launched, and tied up at Between The Bridges Marina, their mooring for the night, it was time to head for the Mohegan Sun for the Opening Night Welcome Party – cocktails and entertainment with a distinctly upscale appeal, accompanied by the mellow tones of guitarist Ron Murray, and the humor of effervescent bartender Bubbalee. In the finest Mohegan Sun tradition, the buffet was incredible, bringing upscale gourmet flair to the pre-event fare. Following the reception, poker runners explored the many world-class restaurants and boutiques within the Mohegan Sun complex. With a range of internationally known dining establishments, including Michael Jordan’s Steak House, Jasper White’s Summershack, and Todd English’s Tuscany Restaurant, to name just a few, there was a menu to suit everyone’s taste. After dinner, our poker runners settled down to try their luck in the casino… it must have been a good night at the tables, because several of our guests were overjoyed with the evening activities. Saturday morning started off on a high note with a deluxe breakfast sponsored by Ocean Performance, leading into our customary driver’s meeting and safety briefing. MC Dave Kirkland briefed the drivers on Poker Run procedures, and the route, as well as the local rules and regulations. Running a performance boating regatta event in a popular recreation area is always a challenge, and we certainly appreciated the input and advice from Sergeant Gene Heiney, Constable Dan Dzenkowski and the Department of Environmental Protection patrol officers – their suggestions helped us share the waterways with other recreational boaters, bringing the thrill of the performance boating experience to all in a pleasant and cooperative manner. Many of the local boaters stepped up to the plate to act as pace boats, and to assist with the marshalling duties along the route. Ocean Performance not only organized this support fleet, they even provided boats with certified mechanics on board to assist poker runners with any problems that might occur during the run. Paramedics rode with the Ocean Performance staff accompanying the fleet, to assure the safest possible event. Start your engines! While the weather looked a bit questionable at dawn, by the time the boats fired up their engines at 10:00 a.m., the sunshine had burned off the fog, and we enjoyed a spectacular summer day, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-90’s. When the call for “Drivers, start your engines” echoed over the water, Sergeant Heiney and the water patrol crews led the Poker Run fleet out to the open water, where the Police boats split off to let the Poker Run pace boats bring the fleet up on plane for one of the most impressive starts in Poker Run history. After the fleet followed the pace boats down to the mouth of the Connecticut River, they throttled up for the dash to Orient Point, on Long Island, and then followed the course to Greenport, LI, and the second card stop at the Long Beach Lighthouse. The fleet regrouped to proceed in formation behind the pace boats at a steady 60 mph for a “parade of power” around the beautiful and scenic Shelter Island, and then powered up again for the run to Block Island, RI, where the crew at Dead Eye Dicks and Payne’s Dock were waiting with a fabulous buffet lunch, including sandwiches, pastries and non-alcoholic beverages. Dead Eye Dick’s, overlooking New Harbor, is famous throughout the area for mouthwatering meals at reasonable prices – specializing in seafood, meat and fowl. Payne’s Dock is full-service marina serving visitors to Block Island since the turn of the (last) century. Following the relaxing lunch and refueling at card stop #3, the fleet set course for Race Rock, then to the mouth of the Thames River, New London Harbor, CT. They then slowly proceeded to card stop #4 at the USS Nautilus Submarine Museum, where the world’s first nuclear powered submarine sits at permanent anchor a short distance up the Thames River at Groton, CT. From Groton our route took the fleet back down the Thames River, then along Long Island Sound to Old Saybrook, and then up the Connecticut River to Between the Bridges Marina for the final card stop and overnight docking. Spectators and friends gathered around the boats, admiring the latest in marine technology and chatting with the drivers. The run was an outstanding adventure on the water, covering approximately 125 miles of the most scenic and historic waterways in the North East. After a pause to refresh ourselves after a day in the summer sunshine, it was off to the Mohegan Sun for a gala cocktail party that kicked off the Saturday evening banquet at the Casino, with a live jazz trio providing the entertainment. PRIZE WINNERS 1st Place, Don Branciforte, 42’ Cigarette, $2500 cash, $3000 watch from PRA plus other prizes totalling about $7500 2nd Place, Tom Safar, 36’ Cigarette $1000 cash from PRA plus other prizes totalling about $3500 3rd Place, Ante Zic, 37’ Outerlimits $500 cash from PRA plus other prizes totalling about $2000 Best Graphics, Robert Duckworth, 51’ Outerlimits Best Dressed Crew, Robert Doohan, Outerlimits Water Channel Prize, Jason Blake, 38’ Cigarette

A smiling Don Branciforte (second from right) of Middletown, CT
with a 42’ Cigarette takes first place honors with his crewman Carl Hayn.
Presenting the award and prizes is PRA Publisher Bill Taylor (L)
and Chris Cestaro (R), owner of Ocean Performance.


Tom Safar (L) from Point Pleasure, NJ with his 36’ Cigarette “Drop The Hammer”
accepts the second place trophy from poker run co-organizer Bill Beccaro.


Ante Zic (L) from Oakland Gardens, NY with his 37’ Outerlimits “Infatuation”
accepts third place honors from event sponsor Gary Montano of Montano Motorsports.


Best Dressed Crew honors went to Robert Doohan of Milford, CT in his 39’ Quatro Outerlimits
“Up & Over Roofing.” His crew (L-R), Mike Raccio, Alano Montano, Nick Emerling,
Mickel Montano-Emerling, Sapna Tandon, and Robert.


Dean Albanese of Lincoln, RI and his 38’ Donzi team “Exotic Tans.”
Dean was awarded the prize for the best Donzi hand at the gala banquet.

SPONSORS:
Mercury Racing
Cigarette
Donzi
Formula
Fountain
Outerlimits
Myco
Custom Marine
David Clark Co. Inc.
Lake Cumberland Marine
Montano Motorsports
Ocean Performance
Sea Tow
The Town of Old Saybrook, CT
Officer Gene Heiney and the Old Saybrook Police Department
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
The Southold Bay Constable
The United States Navy, particularly the security personnel at Subbase Groton, CT
Dead Eye Dick’s
Paynes New Harbor Dock

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