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Welcome to
the 26th Annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival!
 This
year’s Festival and Super Boat Race will continue to offer plenty of
fun and excitement for the entire family, both on and off the water.
A special welcome to all participating race teams. This year’s Kilo
World Speed Record Event will feature the 56’ Phenomenon boat driven
by Al Copeland Jr. and throttled by Schott Barnhart as they try to
be the world record speed of 220 mph.
With economic times continuing to effect all of us, many of this
year’s Festival events continue to remain free of charge thanks to
our generous sponsors. These events include Powerboats By The Bay,
Parade of Boats, Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular, World Record Kilo
Run, and the Grand Prix Super Boat Race. Hundreds of volunteers,
Super Boat International, and multiple governmental agencies
continue to make this annual event successful and safe.
Sarasota continues to be one of the longest continuously running
race sites in the country and one of the few race sites that has
raised money for charity since the beginning. We have lost two
dedicated individuals whose influence and hard work has brought this
Festival to where it is today, Gene Whipp and Kevin Brown. I, along
with so many other Festival volunteers and race teams, know the
important role Gene and Kevin provided as mentors to so many of us.
I know they are cheering us on from above!
As you enjoy this year’s Festival, please know the true winners are
the children and families helped each year thanks to the efforts of
Suncoast Charities for Children. I hope you enjoy everything this
year’s Festival has to offer. Best wishes to everyone for a safe and
happy July 4th holiday weekend!
Lucy V. Nicandri - Festival Director
2009 CVB Tourism Leader of the Year
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