Panasonic Racing brings home great finish for Fountain Team
Morehead City, N.C. September 21, 2009 – The Crystal Coast Super Boat fans, lining the sea port wall during Sunday’s race, got an up-close and personal experience from the Superboat Turbine class winner, Aqua-Mania G3 Racing. Leading the race from the drop of the green flag to the checkered, John Cosker [driver] of the 50 foot Mystic thought the final lap might be a little more special if the fans had a little closer view.
Cosker exclaims, “We thought on our final lap, we’d move over a little so fans could get a nice close photo.” Although they probably needed a wide-angle lens to catch it, fans had the chance to feel the excitement and the spray from the rooster tail of the Grand Prix winner. The day was filled with excitement for the crew as well. Cosker continues, “This was a very challenging course and quite a drag race to the first corner. The boat caught, and we were about 120 mph sideways in the air. Rick [Merola – throttleman] did an awesome job helping us recover. We hooked up and then took off doing 160 -170 miles per hour down the back straight away.”
Many teams had great battles and some jockeyed for manufacturer bragging rights. Super Boat Vee Extreme winner, Panasonic Racing, was competing against another Fountain Vee bottom, Saratoga Stampede. “ What a great day and what an awesome boat. This boat was on rails… I couldn’t be happier for the team. Benny [Robertson – throttleman] just gave me a great boat to drive today. With Benny and Reggie Fountain getting us together and helping us get the “Cat Killer” into victory lane, it was just great,” commented, Joe Lamberti, owner of Panasonic Racing. The team was also not without a little drama of their own. Waiting for parts to arrive, next day air, and the team working through the night, the winning Vee bottom showed up just in time for inspections and the official start of the day.
Super Boat International owner, John Carbonell, knows the success of good events. “This year we had more boats and bigger boats than last year and I think the teams did a great job of putting on a show. You could see the efforts from everyone here in Morehead City who volunteered to help put on a great race and I heard from the fans, what a great time everyone had here,” commented Carbonell. One fan, who happens to be a racer, owner Chris Cox of Superheat, commented, “What a great time here in Morehead City. John puts on some great events and he really likes to excite the crowd. I couldn’t be any happier with my team and engine guy (Herb Stotler – Stotler Racing Engines) after today’s race and we’re really looking forward to the Nationals in Clearwater in a couple weeks.”
Super Boat International will crown National Champions after the final points race next month at the Clearwater National Championships in Clearwater, Florida.
The following teams finished first in their respective classes. Superheat (Superboat Unlimited), Global Warmer (Superboat Vee Unlimited), Warpaint (Superboat 750), Team Amsoil (Super Cat), Miccosukee Indian Gaming (Superboat Stock), Just Pray Offshore (Manufacturer Production P5), Simmons Racing (P4), TKO (P2) and Rock Star Energy Drink (P1).
For a complete list of race results visit http://www.superboat.com/. The next race on the 2009 schedule is Clearwater Super Boat National Championships on October 2-4, 2009, in Clearwater Beach, FL.