2008 Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix at Sarasota, FL

[Original Looper 1]

This year marks the 24th year of the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix held at Sarasota, FL, each 4th of July. Proceeds help the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped. It's a week of fishing, golfing, parades, a motorcycle show, parties and on July 6th - offshore grand prix boat racing.

We plan to attend the parade, powerboats by the bay and race events (weather permitting, this is FL in July and the rainy season) and post pictures.

Meanwhile, here's the schedule of events for those of you in FL that are looking for something to do over the 4th of July. Hope to see you there!

Paul A. Christner


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday June 28
7 AM


Golf Tournament
Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club

$650 Foursome / $150 Hole Sponsorship
Registration 7 a.m. / Shotgun Start 8 a.m.
Scramble Format - Includes Lunch and Award Presentations

7 PM


Festival Kickoff Party
Location: Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center
$100 per person / Tables of 10 Available – Silent & Live Auction – 7:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.
Entertainment by Chameleon – Casual Dress – Includes Dinner and Open bar


Thursday July 3
8:30AM

Fishing Tournament for the Physically & Mentally Challenged - "The Friendliest Catch" Sarasota Outboard Club, 1604 Ken Thompson Pkwy City Island, Sarasota
This is the event that expresses what the Festival is all about. Volunteers welcome challenged individuals aboard their boats for a morning of fun on the water. All participants “catch and release” and learn how to gently handle the fish during the 90-minute tournament. Awards presentation and luncheon follows.

7PM

Sarasota Reds Baseball & Fireworks Night at Ed Smith Stadium Hosted By: Sarasota Reds
Location: Ed Smith Stadium
Sarasota Reds vs Dunedin Blue Jays • $5 General Admission / $6 Box Seats • 6:00 p.m.
7PM

Festival Parade of Boats - Main Street in Downtown Sarasota
Presenting Sponsor: Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival
Everybody loves a parade! Sarasota welcomes race teams and their awesome powerboats, floats and more. Live coverage on SNN 6

8PM Downtown Block Party
8PM - Midnight -
Main St. and Lemon Avenue Downtown Sarasota

Downtown Block Party and Powerboats on Main Street. After the parade stroll down Main Street (between Orange Avenue and Gulf Stream Avenue) and see race boats on display and enjoy an old fashioned block party full of music, great food, and vendors on Lemon Avenue.

Powerboats on Main St
Location: Main Street (Orange Ave. to Gulfstream Ave.) / Downtown Sarasota • 8:00 p.m. - Midnight
Stroll down Main Street and view Powerboats up close

Friday July 4
10AM

Powerboats By The Bay
Red White and Blue BBQ
Location: Centennial Park on 10th Street • 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
See Powerboats on display, meet special guests, enjoy great food, vendors, and live entertainment
Free Admission - No Coolers Allowed
Appearance of Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard (and crew members)
as featured on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” Television Series
Autographs & Photos - Noon - 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. / 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Presented by Caterpillar Marine Power
Entertainment Schedule (subject to change)
Tucci Group - 4:00 p.m. / My Friend Scott 4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Ride The Bus
*Bus Shuttles will run between Ed Smith Stadium & Powerboats By The Bay
($1 pp each way – Children 10 and under free)
9PM BAYFRONT FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR!!! - DUSK
Best viewing along the Sarasota Bay front near Island Park - 9:00 p.m.
For More Information on Fireworks Click Here

Please consider bringing a cash donation or a new infant/children’s item for The Florida Center. Drop-off sites will be at:
• Island Park Entrance
• Marina Jack
• Municipal Auditorium
8PM

World's Largest Offshore Party - Hyatt Regency Sarasota 8PM - 1AM
Location: Hyatt Sarasota Ballroom – “Miami Vice Theme”
$15 per person • 8:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.
Casual Dress – Cash Bar and Food Stations

Saturday July 5
10AM

Powerboats By The Bay
Location: Centennial Park on 10th Street • 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
See Powerboats on display, meet special guests, enjoy great food, vendors, and live entertainment
*Appearance of Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard (and crew members)
as featured on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” Television Series
Autographs & Photos - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. / 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Presented by Caterpillar Marine Power
Entertainment Schedule (subject to change)
My Friend Scott Noon - 4:00 p.m. / The Bobby Friss Band 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Ride The Bus
Bus Shuttles will run between Ed Smith Stadium & Powerboats By The Bay
($1 pp each way – Children 10 and under free)
Powerboats By The Bay Events
10:30AM "Meet & Greet Who's in the Driver's Seat" Reception
Meet participating Race Teams – Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard (and crew Members)
as featured on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” – Chef Marc
Location: Hyatt Regency Sarasota Ballroom
$10 per person (Children 10 and under free) • 10:30 a.m. until Noon
Guests may obtain autographs and take photos – special souvenirs will also be available
*Food and beverages available for purchase

1PM Motorcycle "Grand Prix Souvenir Ride"
Start Location: VFW Post 3233 • 124 S. Tuttle Avenue
Registration: 9:00 a.m. - First Bike Out 9:30 a.m. - Last Bike Out 10:30 a.m.
$10 Registration Fee per person • Ride Ends at PowerBoats By The Bay
Riders will be able to create their own “Festival Souvenir”
*Food and beverages will be available for purchase

1PM

People's Choice Bike Show – Van Wezel Parking Lot
Location: Centennial Park on 10th Street • 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
$15 Registration Fee - Trophies for 1st Place at 3:30 p.m.
• Best Stock Harley-Davidson Touring
• Best Custom Harley-Davidson Touring
• Best Stock Harley-Davidson Cruiser
• Best Custom Harley-Davidson Cruiser
• Best Vintage (Pre 1984)
• Best Metric Touring
• Best Metric Cruiser
• Best Custom (Chopper Class)
Note: Stock or Custom is decided by amount of chrome, paint and modifications.

Sunday July 6
11AM

Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Boat Race - Lido Beach
2 Heats 11AM & 1PM
Location: Off Lido Beach (Between New Pass and Big Pass)
2 Heats at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (Subject to Change)
Live “Flag to Flag” coverage on SNN6 and 620 AM The Sports Animal
Enjoy live race coverage at Powerboats By The Bay on a Jumbo Tron

10AM
Powerboats By The Bay - Centennial Park on 10th Street
Location: Centennial Park on 10th Street • 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Watch the race live on a Jumbo Tron under the big tent
See Powerboats on display, enjoy great food, vendors, and live entertainment

5PM
Race Awards Ceremony
Powerboats by the Bay
Location: Centennial Park on 10th Street • 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate with winning race teams under the big tent – food and beverages available for purchase

[Original Looper 1]

The Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix festival is living up to it's name. We spent the afternoon at the Sarasota, Florida, bay front looking at lots of motorcycles and hot racing outfits. The motorcycles were there for a Bike Show and included lots of Harleys, choppers and some vintage motorcycles.

We talked with many of the drivers of the various offshore race teams that were there for Sunday's races. The one driver we really wanted to meet up with was Mike Seebold, driver of the Bud Light boat. Mike's father, Billy Seebold, is a Legend in outboard racing and was also a former Quincy Welding customer - yes, Billy raced Quincy Loopers for awhile.

We took lots of pictures and have posted some (but not all yet) to the
www.QuincyLooperRacing.US web site under Race Events. I'll work on getting more of the photos up here at BRF soon. Meanwhile, you can always go over to the Quincy site to see what's already up on the board.

Hey Ron, several guys we talked to knew you and your propellers. They all said to say hi to you.

Here's a sample of the photos we took today. The offshore races are tomorrow.

thanks,

Paul A Christner

(Please note: These photos are for your enjoyment and are not to be copied or posted to any other web site without my written permission.)