by Simon Bollin
The weather was perfect for last weekend’s 2nd
Annual Great Lakes Grand Prix at Washington
Park in Michigan City, IN. The event was
organized by Super Boat International and
Offshore Super Series, and there were 22 boats
in attendance for the race. Race teams started
arriving in Michigan City on Thursday August 5th,
with boat inspections on Friday, and testing
taking place throughout the day on Saturday.
The first of two races started at 11 a.m. on
Sunday with the second race beginning at 1 p.m.
Thursday and Friday there was live music
performed by local bands in the evening with
plenty of opportunities to meet and talk with the
race crews. Saturday was sunny and very warm
as boats tested prop selection throughout the
day, and tried to predict weather conditions on
race day. Pits were open to spectators all day
Saturday and Sunday to visit with racers, and get
pictures of the race boats. On Saturday,
Washington Park was also host to Taste of
Michigan City with several local eateries
providing food and drinks near the Pavilion.
Saturday night there was a boat parade through
Michigan City ending in a block party, boat, and
classic car show on Franklin St.
Race day began cloudy with spits of rain and 2’
chop on the race course. The course paralleled
the Washington Park beach for roughly 2.5
miles, the front straight away only about 60
yards off shore, offered excellent viewing for all
on shore spectators. There was a 45-50 mile
course for the Production, Stock, and Limited
Classes, with boats ranging in size and
horsepower from 30-40 feet and twin 280
horsepower outboards all the way to twin 525
horsepower Mercury racing engines. The
Extreme, Unlimited, Super Cat, Turbine, and 750
Classes raced an 80 mile course with boats
ranging in size and horsepower from 38-50 feet
and anywhere from twin 525 horsepower
Mercury racing engines all the way up to twin
1,500 horsepower Lycoming T-53 Turbines. The
“slower” race boats averaged about 62-77 mph,
while the larger boats were averaging 75-92
mph. If the waters had been calmer you could
expect these boats to average well over 100
mph. There was one accident with the Popeyes
36’ Skater becoming airborne and flipping about
40 miles into the race after coming out of the
turn on the back straightaway. Rescue boats
and divers from the race helicopter arrived on
scene within seconds and both driver and
throttleman were taken to the local hospital for a
routine checkup and later released. That did not
end the carnage on the race course though with
Team Warpaint damaging their transom, and
Team JBS Racing shearing a port side prop
shaft.
For those of you who think offshore racing is just
for men you’d be in for a surprise. Lisa Matthews
“The Fastest Woman on Water” is the driver of
the Nauti Cool Race Team 42’ Fountain. Her
world record is 157 mph. Another example of
women in offshore racing is 18 year old Maddie
Janssen who drove the Cutting Edge Marine
“Watch Your Back” boat to a Super Boat Vee
Limited win at Sunday’s race.
Overall it was a great weekend for racing with a
good time had by racers and spectators alike.
The racers especially enjoy this race due to the
pits close proximity to the docks, and the
extremely warm reception provided by Michigan
City officials and spectators. This is a great free
weekend event with plenty to do and see for both
families and boating enthusiasts. Be on the
lookout for more offshore racing next year with
the unofficial “Indiana Offshore Triple Crown”,
races will be held in Michigan City, Bloomington,
IN on Lake Monroe, and Louisville, KY on the Ohio
River. Check out http://superboat.com/race-
schedule/ or http://www.offshoresuperseries.
com/racing/schedule.php for dates on the rest of
this year’s schedule.
I would like to thank the Superboat International
and Offshore Super Series officials and Team
Popeyes crew for being so open and
accommodating. I would also like to thank Naomi
Bollin and Aaron Deutsch for helping me with
getting some excellent pictures.
-Simon Bolllin
The weather was perfect for last weekend’s 2nd
Annual Great Lakes Grand Prix at Washington
Park in Michigan City, IN. The event was
organized by Super Boat International and
Offshore Super Series, and there were 22 boats
in attendance for the race. Race teams started
arriving in Michigan City on Thursday August 5th,
with boat inspections on Friday, and testing
taking place throughout the day on Saturday.
The first of two races started at 11 a.m. on
Sunday with the second race beginning at 1 p.m.
Thursday and Friday there was live music
performed by local bands in the evening with
plenty of opportunities to meet and talk with the
race crews. Saturday was sunny and very warm
as boats tested prop selection throughout the
day, and tried to predict weather conditions on
race day. Pits were open to spectators all day
Saturday and Sunday to visit with racers, and get
pictures of the race boats. On Saturday,
Washington Park was also host to Taste of
Michigan City with several local eateries
providing food and drinks near the Pavilion.
Saturday night there was a boat parade through
Michigan City ending in a block party, boat, and
classic car show on Franklin St.
Race day began cloudy with spits of rain and 2’
chop on the race course. The course paralleled
the Washington Park beach for roughly 2.5
miles, the front straight away only about 60
yards off shore, offered excellent viewing for all
on shore spectators. There was a 45-50 mile
course for the Production, Stock, and Limited
Classes, with boats ranging in size and
horsepower from 30-40 feet and twin 280
horsepower outboards all the way to twin 525
horsepower Mercury racing engines. The
Extreme, Unlimited, Super Cat, Turbine, and 750
Classes raced an 80 mile course with boats
ranging in size and horsepower from 38-50 feet
and anywhere from twin 525 horsepower
Mercury racing engines all the way up to twin
1,500 horsepower Lycoming T-53 Turbines. The
“slower” race boats averaged about 62-77 mph,
while the larger boats were averaging 75-92
mph. If the waters had been calmer you could
expect these boats to average well over 100
mph. There was one accident with the Popeyes
36’ Skater becoming airborne and flipping about
40 miles into the race after coming out of the
turn on the back straightaway. Rescue boats
and divers from the race helicopter arrived on
scene within seconds and both driver and
throttleman were taken to the local hospital for a
routine checkup and later released. That did not
end the carnage on the race course though with
Team Warpaint damaging their transom, and
Team JBS Racing shearing a port side prop
shaft.
For those of you who think offshore racing is just
for men you’d be in for a surprise. Lisa Matthews
“The Fastest Woman on Water” is the driver of
the Nauti Cool Race Team 42’ Fountain. Her
world record is 157 mph. Another example of
women in offshore racing is 18 year old Maddie
Janssen who drove the Cutting Edge Marine
“Watch Your Back” boat to a Super Boat Vee
Limited win at Sunday’s race.
Overall it was a great weekend for racing with a
good time had by racers and spectators alike.
The racers especially enjoy this race due to the
pits close proximity to the docks, and the
extremely warm reception provided by Michigan
City officials and spectators. This is a great free
weekend event with plenty to do and see for both
families and boating enthusiasts. Be on the
lookout for more offshore racing next year with
the unofficial “Indiana Offshore Triple Crown”,
races will be held in Michigan City, Bloomington,
IN on Lake Monroe, and Louisville, KY on the Ohio
River. Check out http://superboat.com/race-
schedule/ or http://www.offshoresuperseries.
com/racing/schedule.php for dates on the rest of
this year’s schedule.
I would like to thank the Superboat International
and Offshore Super Series officials and Team
Popeyes crew for being so open and
accommodating. I would also like to thank Naomi
Bollin and Aaron Deutsch for helping me with
getting some excellent pictures.
-Simon Bolllin
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The Red Carpet Concierge Sports Medicine
Group will be a leader in the treatment of
Shomade of Premier Point Health Care and
Simon Bollin, Vice-President Sports for RCC.
RCC will provide the sports injuries and
wellness care in our Red Carpet Concierge
Physician program.
The RCC Sports Medicine Group, a section
within the Department of Red Carpet
Concierge, is comprised of outstanding
athletic care.
Premier Point Health Care will offer
programs to evaluate and prevent sports
injuries as well as diagnosis and evaluate
treatment for athletes and the athletically
inclined.
We are working to provide outstanding
care and research and are always open to
interview for adding to our staff.
Group will be a leader in the treatment of
Shomade of Premier Point Health Care and
Simon Bollin, Vice-President Sports for RCC.
RCC will provide the sports injuries and
wellness care in our Red Carpet Concierge
Physician program.
The RCC Sports Medicine Group, a section
within the Department of Red Carpet
Concierge, is comprised of outstanding
athletic care.
Premier Point Health Care will offer
programs to evaluate and prevent sports
injuries as well as diagnosis and evaluate
treatment for athletes and the athletically
inclined.
We are working to provide outstanding
care and research and are always open to
interview for adding to our staff.
 |