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With money and security issues resolved, APBA is ready to race

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 30, 2001

After months of negotiations, American Power Boat Association Offshore has reached an agreement with city officials, paving the way for next weekend's National Championships at The Pier.

Race fans can expect the same basic format with minor restructuring of classes. This year, however, the best viewing spots on the east end of The Pier will cost $5.

The negotiations were the results of money problems. Race organizers said they consistently lose money on the race, the proceeds of which benefit the Pinellas Association for Retarded Children, and they had to strike a deal with city officials on several issues such as charging admission and licensing to pull the event out of the red. "It takes money to put on a safe race," APBA Chairman Michael Allweiss said. "The Pier revenue should help us recover some of our costs."

Offshore racers are eager to hit the water in St. Petersburg. The tour's last race, scheduled for the Trump Marina & Casino in Atlantic City on Sept. 22-23, was canceled after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Until Monday, APBA officials were not sure if they would be cleared to race on Tampa Bay.

"Because of our close proximity to Tampa Airport, MacDill Air Force Base and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, we were on a high security alert," Allweiss said.

Late Monday, the Coast Guard gave Allweiss the green flag.

Race fans can expect at least 10 Super Cats, the APBA's largest and most prestigious class, in town for the Nationals.

Also racing will be the Factory II Class, 30-foot and longer vee-bottom hulls powered by twin 500 horsepower engines, one of the APBA's most popular and competitive classes. The class, which features the same boats driven by recreational boaters, is patterned after NASCAR's Winston Cup. The races are usually evenly matched and often are decided on the last lap.

Here's whom to watch:

SUPER CAT: Clearwater's Hugh Fuller and Miami's John Tomlinson in Drambuie on Ice have dominated the tour with three wins, three times as many as any other boat, and lead the national point race. Keep an eye out for the yellow and white Tommy Bahama boat. The 40-foot MTI, driven by Paul and Mark Nemschoff, is rumored to be the fastest of the fleet but has had trouble finishing races.

SUPER CAT LIGHT: The competition is tight between Team Telium, How Sweet It Is and Zipp Express, a 36-foot Spectre built in Largo by Jay Pilini. Zipp Express won the previous race in Mississagua, Canada, and is on a roll.

SUPER VEE: Wyatt Fountain and Jeff Harris of Znetix/Lake Cumberland don't have much competition in this six-boat fleet, having won five of their past six races.

FACTORY I: A hotly contested class that has had 26 boats race this year. Chesapeake Inn (formerly MCS Activator) has three wins. This field can go any way, any day.

FACTORY II: As popular and competitive as the single-engine Factory class, FII racing is close and usually up for grabs. Team Virgin comes to St. Petersburg with four wins under its belt. But don't discount Utz Quality Food.

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