Carter's team powers to victory

DAYTONA BEACH -- Backstreet Boy Nick Carter's race team made a big splash at the motorsports capital of the world when it won the season opener of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) Offshore Tour. Carter's 40-foot Super Vee had never been tested in open-water competition, but nonetheless took the checkered flag in the 12-lap race.

"I didn't expect we would do so well," said Carter who watched the action from shore. 'I would have been happy just to place."

Carter started the team so his father, Bob, could pursue his passion. But Bob Carter let Key West chiropractor Steve Oropeza pilot the race boat Sunday while fellow Key West resident Lee Murray handled the throttles.

"I know my record company wouldn't be happy, but I am seriously thinking about getting another race boat and running it myself," Carter said. "I've really gotten into the sport. I'll start off in one of the smaller classes, learn all I can."

The APBA Offshore Tour makes its next stop in Carter's hometown of Marathon in the Keys on May 17-19.

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