SMOKIN’ THE SOUND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05/01/2014
As the ice was thawing off the water of most of the racers testing grounds, Biloxi was the host of the first ever Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) Smokin' the Sound Divisional Race. Biloxi's skyline features casino after casino and with the weather being sunny in the mid to high 70's, it provided the perfect backdrop for the teams that attended. The Beau Rivage and Margaritaville Casinos rolled out the red carpet for the racer parties which included the seafood delicacies that the Gulf Coast is known for while the Hard Rock provided a penthouse for race officials and the Golden Nugget hosted the wet pits and awards.
The much anticipated race action began on Saturday with Super Stock, Super Vee Lite(SVL), and Class 4 in race 1. Top Starz Energy with ace throttleman Gary Ballough on the sticks and rookie Taylor Chastelet surged to the front and never looked back. Finishing close behind in second was SOS Venezuela and rounding out the field was WSMParts.com. Pirate Racing made easy work over Team Octane in the SVL class with Simmons Marine taking Class 4. Race 2 featured the "Run What You Brung" race which matched the 200 mph Miss GEICO up with the field down to the 84.9 mph Simmons Marine. Miss GEICO blasted out to a substantial lead which fortunately saved them for the victory as during the last lap a motor gremlin crept in and they finished the race at approximately 45 mph on one motor holding off the hard charging SOS Venezuela.
Saturday night included a motor swap-out by the Miss Geico team in preparations for Sunday’s finale. Sunday provided 3 races with SVL and Class 4 in race 1. Team Octane utilized every inch of the course in route to their victory and also made up the time difference from Saturdays second place finish which gave them first place overall for the event. Simmons Marine once again took first place and overall for Class 4. Race 2 featured the Super Stock class and it did not disappoint. It was a battle throughout with SOS Venezuela taking first place honors, followed by Top Starz Energy and WSMParts.com in third. SOS Venezuela was unable to make up the time from Saturdays action giving the overall win to Top Starz Energy. In the "Run What You Brung" race 3 finale, Miss GEICO once again couldn't overcome the motor gremlins which opened it up to anyone. SOS Venezuela took full advantage and closed out the day with the victory and overall win for the class, followed by WSMParts.com and Miss GEICO finished in sixth, however with the victory in Saturdays race was able to maintain third overall.
The season kicked off with a bang and the teams can't wait to get back to the picturesque town of Biloxi in 2015. Hurry up and catch your breath as OPA opens up their National Season this upcoming weekend in Lake Hopatcong, NJ.
