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The 2009 Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association Season has finally arrived. This year’s schedule started in Lake Havasu. It was a wild weekend. The weekend got kicked off on Thursday with the Desert Storm Street Party. Wild boats, engines, tow vehicles and just about everything else you could imagine as it pertains to the powerboating lifestyle. It was CRAZY. The next day we were surrounded by a couple of hundred other boats getting ready to start the Desert Storm Poker Run in Thompson Bay just outside of the infamous channel in Lake Havasu. The Poker Run was so much fun, as it is every year. Jim Nichols and the entire Desert Storm team make it an event to remember every year. Then on Saturday we watched the Desert Storm Speed Runs. From 0 to whatever speed you can run in 1 mile. There was a 33′ Eliminator that ran 177 mph. Yes 177 mph. There was also a 51′ Magnum that weighed 55,000 lbs, that ran 67 mph. It had a couple of v12 Caterpillar Engines. It was huge. The wake that came off of it was enough to surf on. Finally, Sunday, the POPRA Lake Havasu Grand Prix. We had a great time. The boat ran well, but not as well as I wanted. We didn’t get the set up right and paid the price for it. It was still a greta time, and we walked away with a checkered flag. The highlight of the race was Team Who’s Racing and there attempt to defy the laws of gravity. Who’s Racing Roll Over . They got a little bruised up but walked away, minus an engine hatch and a clean pair of shorts.
We were invited to the Red Bull Air Show in San Diego for a photo shoot with Kirby Chambliss and his Red Bull Airplane on the race course with the San Diego skyline in the background. Well, needless to say, it was canceled due to the heavy marine layer. The Plane was unable to leave the airfield. So, they asked us to stay the weekend and run the boat on Saturday during opening ceremonies and then again on Sunday for closing ceremonies. Let me say that the experience was awesome. ( Red Bull Helicopter) There will be a video posted soon of what the crowd was seeing on the jumbo-trons. It was pretty cool. We are so thankful to the Red Bull personnel that treated us so well. They were extremely gracious and took care of us the entire weekend. Also, we would like to thank Tom Brunner for hooking us up. Without him, we wouldn’t have been there. Thanks Tom, your the best.
We came, we raced, we kicked butt. The 98th annual Long Beach to Catalina Rum Run was more than we could ask for. Saturday’s practice was rough. 5 to 6 foot swells with a 20 mph wind. It was crazy. We had got more than we could ask for. We had been waiting for a big water race and we weren’t disappointed. Sunday’s race was more of the same. The race started with Ragamuffin out in front. They shot out like a cannon. We hit turn 1 fifth overall. By turn 2 we were third overall. Lick this through a prop on the way to turn 3, which left us and the 4000 hp Second Chance raceboat racing for turn 3. After nearly taking out 2 wave runners that cut across in front of us, we were second overall at turn 3. Now it was the final leg back to the finish line. With 5 foot seas and running 105-110 mph, we caught and then passed the Secon Chance Team with only 15 miles to go. Yes…..we were FIRST overall. Then, with a mile and a half to the finish line, we lost all steering. With the 40′ Skater called Risky Business coming up behind us fast, we did what any team would do, we used the motors to turn the boat, got up on plane, and pinned the throttles. Risky Business passed us, but we were able to run the boat without steering at 88 mph and hold second overall. Rum Run Finish We were extremely excited and proud of how well the Old War Horse held up. A 36′ Skater with twin stock 525’s and the superior Weismann Dry Sump Drives was almost able to take 1st overall. What a race.
Well, San Diego was an eventful wekkend. With all of the racing going throughout the Mission Bay area, it was very busy. We had some surprise Crew Memebres from Iowa, Minnesota and a secret location somewhere on the East Coast. (Lt. Colonel Brad Gavle came in from his underground bunker at his undisclosed location) The Entire Juve Family supporters were a pleasent surprise. A special thanks to Darrin, Lars, Steven, Brad, David, Bret, Jody, Mike, John John, Tommy, Uncle Ron , Uncle Dick, Uncle Rob, and Uncle John. You guys made my Dad happier than you can imagine. Thanks for coming. It was unfortunate that I came down with the swine flu and spent most of the weekend in the hotel room, but it was still great to see my relatives. Anyway, back to the racing. We finished off the weekend first in our class. That being said, it was very fun battling with some of the other boats in differnet classes. Team AVR and Team Renegade made it very interesting. We battled every race with them, it was incredible. We really enjoy the San Diego Race. There is a lot of video footage of the race at Tracking International . Once again, we finish off the 2009 Season in first place in Cat Lite.
I can’t thank my Team, my Sponsors and my family for the support. Especially my wife. without her, none of this would be possible. I look forward to next year.
Thank You So Much,
Troy
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