National Powerboat Association

182 boats entered, but only 163 took the start in the National Powerboat Association's NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN on the Hudson River, Saturday, June 17th at high-noon. That means only one thing...19 boats tested too much prior to the event and were not able to repair themselves in time for the largest powerboat spectacle in the world.

Contestants from 17 states and Canada gathered at Liberty Landing Marina, the "wet pits", in Jersey City, New Jersey to prepare for the outing of their life. A "Good Voyage" Cocktail Party kicked off the festivities on Friday night with a full moon over Manhattan featuring a spectacular view of the Twin Trade Towers and the financial district of Wall Street. With the performance of live Rock-n-Roll and Big-Blocks revving, it was the true sound of "music" to our ears.

Saturday morning began with a Captain's meeting at 10 am and final instructions given by Billy Frenz, the Executive Director of the N.P.B.A. At 11:30, the fleet began to parade up the Hudson River, lead by the PLAYBOY CIGARETTE with Playmate Lisa Dergan at the helm, the Official Paceboat of the 100 MPH Club.

The Cigarette 38 Top Gun Legend, the 500th edition to come out of the factory, was the NPBA's VIP ship and it cleared the way for the parade.

The DONZI 38 ZX was the Official Paceboat of the Speedboat Club and had factory Vice President Nick Miller and Steve Simon at the helm.

The Cruiser's class official Paceboat was the New York Giant's coach Jim Fassil's 46 Sea Ray. He had Phil Simms, Kerri Collins, Tiki Barber, and Sam Garnes aboard. After they dropped the green flag at the George Washington Bridge, these football greats never saw so much "Passing" in one minute and developed a new respect for SPEED.

The Skater Cats of American Offshore Marina ' s THE CHASE IS ON, and Rich Scrushy's MONOPOLY took the lead immediately along with Frank Catania's RUTHLESS. As they accelerated past 140 MPH there was another Skater coming on strong.

Mike Fusco's JET SET, powered by twin GE turbines and Arneson Drives, hooked up and passed the fleet at 178 MPH on his GPS...and that does not lie By being the 1st boat to the Tappan Zee Bridge, 15 miles north of the start line, JET SET won the trophy for KING OF THE HUDSON.

The V-Bottom race to the TZ Bridge was just as exciting with the OUTERLIMITS POWERBOATS Team ruling. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place all went their way with John O'Loughlin's LET'S ROCK, a 37 footer with twin 900 SC's for power, clocked 118 MPH placing 1st with the factory's new 42 footer, LIQUIDATOR, placing 2nd and Dennis Kelliher's 37 footer, NEVER SATISFIED, placing 3rd. Congratulations to this team and their accomplishments in dominating this world class fleet of over 135 V-Bottom speedboats.

With the assistance of water-spraying fireboats the route to checkpoint 1 was clear and the players picked up their cards at the Ossining Boat and Canoe Club and then at Haverstraw Marina.

A quick 24 mile 'run down river brought them to the finish line at Surfside 3 Marina/Chelsea Piers, in New York City. The Chelsea Brewing Company put out a barbecue spread and refreshments for all as the band, Billy Reed and the Street People, featuring Blue Lou Marini on Tenor Sax, serenaded the crowd.

The Playboy Bunnies signed autographs as the SPEEDVTSION TV Crew scrambled to capture all of the activities on land and sea using helicopters and boats.

Awards

Blue Lightning Marine sponsored the trophies and the awards went as follows:

BEST LOOKING CREW:
Ron Bender's WILD THING, the Looney-Tunes cartoon characters from Ohio.
BEST LOOKING BOAT:
Cigarette's 500th Special Edition Top Gun, titled,
THE LIVING LEGEND
QUEEN OF THE HUDSON:
Rich Scrushy's MONOPOLY, 401 Skater from
Birmingham, Alabama.
KING OF THE HUDSON:
Mike Fusco and his jet powered 40' Skater Cat named
JET SET from New Jersey.
KING OF THE HUDSON of V-Bottoms:
John O'Loughlin's 37T Outerlimits named
LET'S ROCK from Now York.
POKER RUN WINNER:
Charlie Melchner in his 38' Formula Fastech.

Many thanks to our sponsors:

CIGARETTE RACING TEAM
DONZI POWERBOATS
SEA RAY/SURFSIDE 3 MARINE
AMERICAN OFFSHORE
MARINA/SKATER
BLACK THUNDER POWERBOATS
BLUE LIGHTNING MARINE,
COCA-COLA
NOR-TECH POWERBOATS
TOTAL MARINE/FORMULA
WELLCRAFT MARINE,
HUSTLER POWERBOATS
ITALIAN POWERECAT CENTER
ADVANTAGE BOATS
FARIA INSTRUMENTS
BEACON POINT MARINE
TOTAL DOLLAR,
OCEAN OUTBOARD/BAJA
OCEAN PERFORMANCE
MERCURY
CHELSEA BREWING COMPANY
LIBERTY LANDING MARINA
MYCO TRAILERS
POKER RUNS OF AMERICA,
RETTE EICKERT POWER PRODUCTS
MARINE MACHINE
POWERBOAT MAGAZINE,
CHILLY BEAR
MICRO-RODS

Thank you for all coming on board to make this event happen.

Watch for the TV Special this fall on the SPEEDVISION NETWORK and we hope to see you all at our next event on August 19, The MANHASSET DAY GOLD CUP POKER RUN, held on Long island sound.

PS: Mark your calendars for 2001, June 16th is the date for THE NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN. . . BE THERE!