September 7, 1999

ALCONE RETURNS HOME VICTORIOUS - BRINGS USA FIRST OFFSHORE WIN IN HISTORY

Victory Celebration held September 12th in New York's Hudson River

MIAMI, FL ... It's been many years since the USA has had a representative compete in European waters, but never has an US Open Class Offshore Champion snatched a victory from the most highly competitive legends in Offshore Powerboat Racing. For Matt Alcone, it was not just another win - this time he did it for the USA.

The 46 year old from Laguna Beach, California, is the winningest driver in offshore racing today, with 3 World Titles and 5 National Titles to his credit - all stacked up into 5 short years. In fact, as of last year's US1 designation as the fastest raceboat in the United States, Alcone has won every American Title possible so when the invitation came from the Union Internationale Motornautique (U.I.M.) to race 12 "Class One" boats, with speeds similar to his, it was an opportunity he couldn't turn down.

"I was glad we could show the Europeans that we could compete on their level. Where they had Lamborgini engines, we used our Twin 950hp Sterlings, made right here in the USA and we had a 5 minute 43 second lead at the end of the race. It was very exciting racing." said Alcone. "We also set a new speed record of 158.45 miles per hour, which we will try to top at the New York Race - our official homecoming", he added.

Alcone's many American fans and supporters have had to content themselves with watching his frequent victories on ESPN2 and Speedvision's television coverage. Now, New Yorkers and New Jersey residents alike will get the opportunity to see this winning team live in the Hudson River on September 12th at 1:00PM when they compete in the Superboat International Race Event. There, Alcone will attempt to break his current speed record in his 45' Douglas Skater, with expected speeds close to 160 miles per hour.

The public is invited to view Alcone's raceboat up close and meet the team, who will be available on Friday, September 10th and Saturday, September 11th in the Dry Pits at the New Jersey Liberty State Park. Spectators can view the race from the shores of the Hudson River or by personal watercraft in the spectator zones on Sunday . To learn more about the team, visit their website at www.alconemotorsports.com.

NEW WORLD SPEED RECORDS!

Friday, August 13, 1999, was a day of unparalleled victory, as legendary
master of motion Reggie Fountain came out of retirement to set a smashing new world speed record on the Pimlico River in Washington, North Carolina, home of Fountain Powerboats.

With Reggie in the driver's seat and famed throttleman Jerry Gilbreath (of Alcone/Team Fountain) by his side, Reggie's 45-foot Fountain catamaran, running twin 1100 hp engines, ran an average speed of 165.458 mph, establishing an amazing record in APBA's newly formed Unlimited Class.

But the sweet taste of victory for Fountain was far from over. In the World Kilo Speed Run, teams are allowed two passes along a one-kilometer course. The recorded speeds are then averaged. Once post-race inspections are complete and all timing equipment is re-certified, official results are released.

As the 100-degree Fahrenheit heat and 95% humidity cloaked the race course
and thousands of cheering spectators, two teams - Ocean Spray, a 42' Fountain driven by Bruce Penhall and throttled by Dennis Sigalos, and Pier 57 Fountain, driven by Jeff Harris and throttled by racing legend Art Lilly - battled it
out. On the first runs through, it seemed as if the Pier 57 Fountain broke the
record, but a later clerical error gave the win to Ocean Spray. Not to be beaten, Harris and Lilly came back with a vengeance to set a new mark at 140.12 mph in their 39' Fountain V-bottom. (Ocean Spray did, however, win the Sunday race in Super Vee).

Drambuie on Ice, with their twin non-supercharged, fuel injected motors, beat
their own record, earlier set by Tom Gentry, running 161.513 mph. Factory
Class racers also made their mark as Texas' Team Yahoo set a record 112.861 mph speed in a 36' Skater. Factory 1 racers Jim Arvis and Justin Halden captained their Progression, Mountain Dew, to a lightning new record of 81.849 mph.

Congratulations to all! (Home Page)