Immediate Release:
June 17, 2002
 The NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN was off to a ‘blazing” start as 128 powerboats flying American Flags, paraded up the Hudson River, at High-Noon on Saturday, June 15th . Produced by the National Powerboat Association and filmed by Thinkfast Films, the flotilla was lead by the Official OUTERLIMITS and DONZI Paceboats in 2 classes. A salute to the heroes of 9/11 was performed by flames being exhausted out of “Jet Set”, a 40 Skater Cat with twin GE-58 Turbine engines, acting as flame throwers. The parade was a sight, with its Yellow flag beginning at Liberty Landing Marina, adjacent to the Statue of Liberty, to its Green Flag start at the George Washington Bridge.
Then, the voyage was on……..Full Speed Ahead!
Mike Fusco’s “Jet Set”, at 171 mph was the 1st boat to the Tappan Zee Bridge, on his
way to Checkpoint #1 at Ossining Boat and Canoe Club. Mike Fiore in his 42’ GTX Outerlimits was a close second until a blower belt blew off of one of his 1400 HP Sterling engines at 144 MPH. Vinny Rifice’s 32’ Skater, “Color Me Bad”, with a pair of 900 HP Merlins snuck up next at 145 mph with 5 more Outerlimits’s behind him. Frank Barbarino from California, lead the pack of V-Bottoms to the bridge in his “Fire & Ice”, a 42’ Outerlimits with 1200 HP Cobra’s. Immediately behind him was last year’s V-Bottom Champ, “Rock It”, another 42’ Outerlimits with Eickert Power and Ocean Performances’ Chris Cestaro at the helm. The Outerlimits Team continued with John O’Loughlin’s “What-A-Gas” and John Makepeace’s “Joker”. Rolf Papke of Pro Roc Marine in Charlie Amorosi’s 36’ Spectre Cat, “Tsunami”, broke up the string of V-bottoms at 126 mph and running 7th to the bridge by just passing Brad Benson’s “Pass Blocker”, another 42’ Outerlimits. It did not take long for this crew to complete the 75 mile course. All participants followed the leaders and had returned to port by 5 pm…or were under tow and had some amazing stories to tell.
As the Blues Brother’s “Blue Lou” Marini and the band played on, the results were tallied.
- Craig Marinucci in his 24’ Baja and 1st ever poker run, won the game with an Ace high straight and collected the $5,000.00 purse.
- The prestigious awards followed with the "King of the Hudson" being awarded to Mike Fusco in “Jet Set”.
- "King of the V-Bottoms" was awarded to Frank Barbarino in “Fire & Ice".
- "Queen of the Hudson” was presented to Jim Ross in his stately 45’ Linssen.
- “Best Looking Crew” went to Ron Bender’s “Crash Dummies” from Ohio in “Wild Thing”. This is the third year in a row they have won this award…everyone has a goal.
- The “Best Looking Boat” went to Barkley Geib’s 35’ Formula, “POKERRUN.COM” from Buford, Georgia, after competing in his 6th-in-a-row NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN.
- The “Youngest Captain” Award went to Ryan Friedman in his 38’ Sonic, “Water Damage” powered by twin 575SC Mercs.
- Tim Sharkey displayed the real thrill and desire of the sport and was presented “The Spirit of the N.P.B.A.” award by competing and completing this event 2 years in a row with his 100 HP Evinrude powered 13’ Sharkey Bullet named, “SHARKWAVE”…..now that’s a riiiide.
TOP 10 ORDER AT THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE:
| 1. |
“Jet Set” |
Mike Fusco |
40’ Skater Cat |
T-GE 58 Turbines |
NJ |
| 2. |
“Color Me Bad” |
Vinny Rifice |
32’ Skater Cat |
T-900HP Merlins |
NY |
| 3 |
“Fire & Ice” |
Frank Barbarino |
42’ Outerlimits |
T-1200HP Cobras |
CA |
| 4. |
“Rock-It” |
Bob Russell |
42’ Outerlimits |
T-1200HP Eickerts |
WA |
| 5. |
“What-A-Gas” |
John O’Loughlin |
42’ Outerlimits |
T-1025HP Sterlings |
NY |
| 6. |
“Joker” |
John Makepeace |
42’ Outerlimits |
T-900HP Mercs |
MA |
| 7. |
“Tsunami” |
Charlie Amorosi |
36’ Spectre Cat |
T-650HP ProRocs |
NJ |
| 8. |
“Pass Blocker” |
Brad Benson |
42’ Outerlimits |
T-900HP Mercs |
NJ |
| 9. |
“Team Skater” |
Charlie Tesauro |
28’ Skater Cat |
T-280HP Mercury |
NY |
| 10 |
”Extreme Dream” |
Bob Christie |
42’ Outerlimits |
T-1200HP Typhoon |
NJ |
This was a great show that returned to and celebrated New York City and the Hudson River.
Special thanks to our Sponsors for making this event possible:
- Outerlimits
- Donzi
- Sonic
- Mercury Racing
- Hustler
- Ocean Performance
- Kurt’s Marine
- Total Dollar
- Spectre
- Pro Roc Marine
- The Bravo Shop
- Beacon Point Marine
- Keith Eickert Power Products
- Formula
- Livorsi/Gaffrig Marine
- S&S Propellers
- Huber Marine
- Mack Boring/Yanmar
- Myco Trailers
- Liberty Landing Marina
Teams are already discussing next year’s strategies and planning to run again on June 14th, 2003.
But for those who can’t wait for next year, we will see you on
August 17th for the Manhasset Bay Gold Cup Poker Run (Michael Aronow will attend to sign and sell his book on his father, Don),
and on September 14th for the Glen Cove Hi-Stakes Poker and Radar Run, with a $10,000.00 Purse and Jet-Ski giveaway.
Both events take place on Long Island Sound.
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