National Powerboat Association - New York City Poker Run 2004

When the sun shines, so do all the stars of the National Powerboat Association's infamous NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT RALLY. With 143 contestants from all over the nation competing on the Hudson River, multiple helicopters could be seen filming and photographing the event for international TV Shows and glossy magazine publications.

The 1st segment of the event was the Patriotic Parade from the Statue of Liberty to the George Washington Bridge, which was lead by the 42' OUTERLIMITS, "Silent Sam", the Official Paceboat for the 100+ mph class. Then followed the Speedboat Class led by the 46' CIGARETTE RACING TEAM's, "American Muscle" Paceboat and finally the Cruiser Class lead by POWERQUESTS' 70 mph 32' Express Cruiser.

All powerboats took the start at the George Washington Bridge to commence the 2nd segment of the event, the World Champion Hi-Speed Run to the Tappan Zee Bridge. After completing this 15 mile leg, all boats navigated the 3rd segment of the event, the Poker Run, which took the fleet to Ossining Boat and Canoe Club, Haverstraw Marina, and finally returning to Liberty Landing Marina, the host marina and headquarters for the show.

Mike Fiore's, XXX, Sterling powered 47' OUTERLIMITS (the World's Fastest V-Bottom Record Holder), grabbed the early lead, but was wounded by an electrical system gremlin on one motor. Bob Russell's OUTERLIMITS, the sister ship to XXX, was backing-up Michael at speeds of 150+ MPH until he blew an engine. Oliver Bock of Canada, was in the mix also with a sister ship of XXX, "Big Soldier" and out ran all the rest of the V-Bottoms and Cats to the Tappan Zee Bridge with his co-pilot Jim Earle, with the exception of one cat..."JET SET"...the tubine powered 40' Skater Cat of Mike Fusco.

Mike came back this year to re-gain his crown as "King Of the Hudson" after missing last year's event...at speeds of 175+MPH.

Oliver Bock's "Big Soldier" is the new "King of the V-Bottoms".

James Bresnick's 47 Outerlimits, "Wet N' Wild" from Massachusetts placed 2nd in the V-Bottoms and a wounded XXX placed 3rd.

Vinny Rifice's 36' Skater, "Color Me Bad" with 2000 HP of gas motors, just was not enough to catch JET SET, but placed and impressive 2nd place just ahead of Michael Bartone's 36' Skater Cat with 1800 HP total, named "Team Skull". All of these boats utilized Mercurys' Speedmaster #6 outdrives except for JET SET, which uses Arneson Surface Drives for propulsion.

For the 5th consecutive year, Ron Bender's, "Wild Thing" from Ohio, won "Best Looking Crew", all costumed up as Batman and Crew.

The "Best Looking Boat" Award went to George Magnifico's 36' Eliminator, sponsored by his company, Fastboats, Inc, the new Northeast distributor for Eliminators.

Mark Jameson won the coveted "SPIRIT OF THE NPBA" Award for doing exactly what the title infers...SPIRIT and ENTHUSIASM for the Sport!

Our "Youngest Captain Award" was passed on from Ryan Friedman to Tom Hart, Jr. in his 38' Cigarette Top Gun, "Steppin' Up". He is quite a captain at 15 years old!

The real winners of the day were Charlie Tesauro and George Magnifico. They tied with each having a matching Full House and split the Five Thousand Dollar Grand Prize. That should help put some gas in his Charlie's Skater Cat and George's Eliminator Cat for a few more runs.

With support and sponsorship from Outerlimits, Cigarette Racing Team, Powerquest, Ocean Performance, Eliminator by FASTBOATS, INC., Trenton Marine Center, Typhoon Performance Marine, Hustler, Formula, Tiger Performance, Livorsi Marine, Mercury Racing, Huber Marine, Total Dollar Insurance, OffshoreOnly.com, Myco Trailers, Double Tree Club Suites, Liberty Landing Marina, Chillybear, ThinkFast Films, Patsy's Bay Marina, Boat world USA, Glasswerx, Marc Jameson Chimneys, PROROC, 4 Fifty 5 Restaurant, Steamboat Landing Restaurant, Full Throttle Marine, Jose Cuervo, Smirnoff Vodka, Black Haus, Total Marine, American Marine Insurance Services, Velocity Powerboats, Top-Knot, Mattituck Marine, Frenzy Wax, Marine Power Service, and of course FRENZY PERFORMANCE, this event was the epitome of,

The National Powerboat Association is a company dedicated to the advancement of powerboating in America through event promotions and productions as a purveyor of powerboats, powerboat equipment, videos, and sportswear.

Conceived in 1976 with regional events and upgraded in 1982 to national events, the N.P.B.A.'s boating experience assures premium shows and quality products.