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Best Viewing is from Lido
Beach
Click the map for the official nautical chart map.
For Live Race Coverage
 
Tentative Race Schedule
2 Race Heats at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For live race updates and info: SNN 6
Boat Ramp Closure / Parking
Centennial Park Boat Ramps will be closed 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July
3 through 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 6. All non-event related
vehicles without proper credentials must be removed or they will be
towed at the owner’s expense. All other public boat ramps will be
open.
Notice of Street Closures
Portions of Main Street will be closed for the Parade and Block
Party on Thursday July 3, beginning at Noon. US Hwy. 301 will be
closed between Ringling and Fruitville at approximately 5:00 p.m.
 This
year’s 24th Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival and Race
is dedicated to Kevin Brown for his tireless efforts for so many
years. Kevin’s spirit is alive and vibrant in all of us who work
toward making this annual Festival and Offshore Race a success.
Thank you Kevin, for making such a difference in the lives of so
many children with special needs and to all who were fortunate
enough to have known you.
Kevin Brown
Race Chairman – Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix
Board Member - Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped, Inc.
Board of Governors and Chief Referee – Super Boat International
This year’s Suncoast Offshore
Grand Prix Race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 6, and
will run from New Pass to Big Pass. This adjusted race course is
approximately 6.5 miles long and the best viewing will be from the
Lido Beach area. Currently we have scheduled two heats beginning
at 11:00 a.m. and the second heat starting at approximately 1:00
p.m.
The re-configuration of the race course was guided by
several factors, which could not be controlled by the Festival
Steering Committee. Super Boat International/APBA Productions Inc.
has been allowing the Sarasota race site to exceed the maximum
race course length for the last several years. Currently the rule
requires that the race course be no less than 5 miles long and no
longer than 10 miles long. This regulation is based on several
issues from the insurance company, which include current medical
response requirements and current mammal watch requirements. In
order to continue to have a sanctioned race, the Sarasota race
site had to conform with the rule on the race course length.
Currently to maintain the integrity of a 13-mile race course, it
takes nearly 60 law enforcement, medical rescue and volunteer
patrol vessels, as well as 2 dedicated helicopters for marine
mammal watch. By shortening the race course, the amount of vessels
needed will be reduced, and the medical response time will be
shortened. In addition, it will enable us to leave both New Pass
and Big Pass open during the event. It is now, and has always
been, the goal of the Festival Steering Committee to put on the
safest, most exciting offshore power boat race possible, within
the confines of the rules and regulations of the sanctioning body,
governmental agencies, and still working within the natural
restraints of our coastline.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Kevin Brown
Cal Erb
Ron Foxworthy
Tom Houser
Donnie McDonough
Lucy Nicandri – Festival Director
SPECIAL EVENT CHAIRS
Kevin Brown, Grand Prix Race
Kyle Brown, Grand Prix Race
Jack Cox - Kickoff Party
Tom DeLong, Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular
Pat Horner, Fishing Tournament
Tom Houser, Powerboats By The Bay
Scott Kessler, People’s Choice Bike Show
Donnie McDonough - Kickoff Party
Lucy Nicandri - Meet and Greet Who's In the Driver's Seat
Reception
Trish Payne, Motorcycle “Grand Prix Souvenir Ride”
Steve Perreault - Parade of Boats
Ernie Ritz - Downtown Block Party
Bob & Sherry Rizi - Golf Tournament
Cheryl Smith - Parade of Boats
Hollis Tucker - Kickoff Party
Mark Willett - Motorcycle "Grand Prix Souvenir Ride”
Dan Wolfert - Sarasota Reds Baseball Night
Jamie & Amy Wood - Golf Tournament
Catherine Woosley - World’s Largest Offshore Party
RACE COMMITTEE
CPO William Bennett – U.S. Coast Guard
Chief Peter J. Abbott, SPD - Law Enforcement
Sheriff William F. Balkwill, SSO - Law Enforcement
Kevin Brown
Kyle Brown - Race Co-Chairman Hot Pits
Tom Brown - Hot Pits
Don Damron – Fire Rescue & Race Control
Jim Henderson – Law Enforcement PATCOM
Pedie Hipps - Aviation/Security
Tom Houser - Course Setup
Capt. Tom King - Fire Rescue Race Control
Lt. John LeBlanc, SPD – Law Enforcement
Jeff Lukowsky, Race Control, Turn Boats & Scoring
Rick Meyer - Race Control
Pat Neill - Hot Pits
Lucy Nicandri – Festival Director
Doug Peters - Grand Prix Race Course Captain
Blaise Pierson - Aviation
Jayne Smith, SPD - Law Enforcement
Rande Starline - Race Control
FESTIVAL SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS
Danielle Deveraux - Volunteer Coordinator
Nichole Double - Volunteer Coordinator
Dan Kriwitsky - Website Support
J. Meric - Festival Photographer
Jack Thompson, Sandy Thompson - Volunteer Coordinators
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