The past couple of months have been very productive for Poker Runs America magazine. We have been traveling throughout the United States visiting with various manufacturers in the performance boating industry to help shape the future of poker run events that take place across the nation - and the results of our efforts have paid off in spades.

The APRA will become a sanctioning body driven by key industry members and suppliers with a committee/advisory board to resolve current safety issues and create a stance against regulatory issues regarding poker runs. Of special note, following countless meetings and round-table discussions with the major boat builders and suppliers, plans are in the works to implement a poker run rule book that will set the regulations and major safety issues straight, once and for all. And, in addition to this year's annual APRA Safety Summit at the Miami Boat Show, which will even attract European poker run organizers, a European poker run circuit is being organized to provide the utmost enjoyment for performance boaters across the pond. A rulebook will also be devised for both U.S. and European circuits. We hope to see you at this year's summit Friday, February 16, Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel, 8:00 a.m.

PLANNING FOR A NEW PERFORMANCE SEASON
This time of year is always exciting for performance boating enthusiasts, especially when the Miami International Boat Show powers into town, bringing the very latest in boating design and technology from manufacturers all over the globe. At Poker Runs America, we have had the privilege of an early insight into the developing trends, and now that the wraps are ready to be lifted from the hottest new models, we can unveil some of the new looks of the 2007 models and technology starting with this issue.

Our staff had the opportunity to get an inside look at the artistic side of performance boat design at the Elkhart, Indiana, studios of Dean Loucks, whose TAOD creations will be the new look for Outerlimits powerboats. We also had the opportunity to slide behind the wheel of Randy Hartman's 2007 Fountain 38 Lightning, a very special edition created with the goal of being "boat of the year", and we joined up with Cal and Phyllis Austin at Lake Havasau for a ride on "Patriot", Cal's new 30' Eliminator Daytona.

It's hard to believe that the second issue of our tenth year of publishing Poker Runs America is already off press. But, the way the coming performance season is already shaping up, I feel it's going to be one of the hottest and most exciting years on record!

William E. Taylor, Publisher

(Feature Article: Poker Runs Are Here To Stay)