The New York City
Powerboat Poker Run 2008!!!

“As Seen on TV and in the Magazines”

June 15^th, 2008

NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN

Hudson River, New York City, USA

     All the “Big Dogs” came out to play in the World’s most famous powerboat rally, the NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN, annually held on the Father’s Day Weekend and headquartered at Liberty Landing Marina, just opposite “ground-zero” and at the foot of the Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River…in other words…

the TOP OF THE CIVILIZED WORLD! The event is produced by the National Powerboat Association and its world headquarters is in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. 

     The world’s top manufacturer’s of speed boats, engines, and related equipment were there. OUTERLIMITS, FOUNTAIN, MERCURY RACING, SUNSATION, ACTIVE THUNDER, CUSTOM MARINE, LIVORSI, CHIEF ENGINES, SUTPHEN PERFORMANCE, and PIRATE.COM.  Additional sponsors helped make the parties spectacular; Peter Mazzo’s “Berry Creek Café” made the Friday night show spectacular as the 1^st round of NPBA  powerboat heroes were inducted into the HALL OF FAME.

Sal Sciandra’s “Top Tomato” Super Caterers/Stores made the Saturday afternoon Award’s Party superb with an endless racer’s barbecue buffet as awards and trophies were distributed to the winner’s of the Poker Run.

     A lot of excitement was generated by the entry of  Reggie Fountain’s “Cat Killer”, by its new owner, Joe Lamberti and his new Fountain Dealership named, “BOATSHOWDIRECT.NET”, Stratford, CT.  She was piloted by Fountain factory president, David Knight and professionally throttled by Ben Robertson…a world famous race team…the best money could buy. “Dressed” in her new colors, the 44’ Fountain with twin 1550 HP Sterling engines coupled to Mercury Racing’s No. 6 Speedmasters, has been rumored to run a “tick” to the upside of 180 mph …thus she has earned her name, “Cat Killer” at many poker runs throughout America.

     SPEED is not a factor in a powerboat poker run…NAVIGATION and ENDURANCE are.

     Big Ronnie Barrette (Recently crowned NPBA HALL OF FAME Racer) and Chuck Bic brought all 3 ingredients to the NYC Run in their JC Performance powered 40 Cat named, “MAXED OUT”. Utilizing Mercury Racing’s Speedmasters, crashboxes, CMI Headers, Livorsi Gauges, and 2,500 HP of  JC “womp-em”, they brought a touch more of each ingredient to the run…making it a celebration party for the Long Island based racing team. A lot of accolades go out to Ronnie, as he has been racing on the NPBA circuit since 1979 and this probably brought him the most “notoriety, praise, and recognition” to a gentleman well respected in the sport.   

     Lake Cumberland Marine brought a 41 OUTERLIMITS Legarra to the show with Merc Racings’ 700 NXT’s piloted by the famous Mike Fiore; PROROC’s Rolf Papke brought the new Hustler ‘Rockit” with Merc Racing Power;  Mariner’s Cove showed off their new 38 FOUNTAIN with Captain “Bo” at the helm and his daughter as co-captain/navigator…alot of teams had to follow them! Mahopac Marine, the new SUNSATION Dealer, had a few speedboats entered in the event that also ran with the “top ten” and led the pack around the course, notably their 41’ F-4 and their 28’ Special Editions that cruise at over 70 mph! FASTBOATS by Georg Magnifico and Tri-State Performance’s Paul Hrobosky entered a group of Active Thunder’s that out performed the fleet in speed and comfort.

     A handful of Cigarettes and Donzi’s entered, but didn’t exhibit the speed needed to cruise with the leaders…they brought up the rear of the pack with the express cruisers.

The following Awards were presented:

“BEST LOOKING BOAT” went to Tim Ciasulli’s 51 Outerlimits named, “Planetman”. Tim is a past Offshore World Champion Racer and this was his 1^st poker run.He was inducted into the NPBA HALL OF FAME on Friday night, June 13, 2008. Tim has been racing NPBA since 1981.

“BEST LOOKING CREW” went to Robert Leider’s 29 Velocity named, “Jagged Edge”.

“SPIRIT OF THE NPBA” went to Sal Sciandra’s 40 Skater named, “AWESOME”. He also was inducted into the NPBA HALL OF FAME on Friday, June 13, 2008 and has been racing with me since 1985. Sal takes all of his sons poker-running with him.

“KING NAVIGATOR OF THE HUDSON RIVER” went to Ronnie Barrette and Chuck Bic’s 40 Skater Cat named, “MAXED OUT”, powered by twin 1150 HP by JC Performance. Ronnie was also inducted into the NPBA HALL OF FAME on June 13, 2008 and has been racing on the NPBA Race Circuit since 1979. 

The card winners:

1^st Place: Mike Kornblum with a Flush in his 38 Cigarette received $2,500.00.

2^nd Place: Mike Kolenberg with a “straight” on 38 Fountain(World’s Fastest Center Console Record Holder) CorporateCars.com. received $1,000.00.

3^rd Place: Ryan Friedman with 3 Kings in his 38 Cigarette (he is 23 y.o.) and received $500.00.

4^th Place: John Akoury (Tom Akoury’s nephew, the famous throttleman from Black Duck Racing Team of the 80’s) with 3-Jacks in his 32 Skater Cat and received $500.00.

5^th Place: Mike Vilardi with 3-10’s in his 37 Active Thunder with ZUL ENGINES representing Team FASTBOATS, INC. and received $500.00.  

June 20, 2009 and June 19, 2010 are the future dates for the NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN.  www.nationalpowerboat.com  www.frenzyperformance.com

NPBA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: 2008

The following have achieved the required votes and were inducted on June 13^th, 2008, 7 PM, at the NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN.

     More Candidates are listed below for next year’s induction.                                                                                      Dated: June 1, 2008

1. Pete Aitkin: BLACK DUCK RACING; 30 Shadow Cat w/twin Merc O/B’s then triples…became a legend!
2. Jim McIntyre: MAD MAC RACING, 32 Scorpion, triple Merc O/B’s…this was just the beginning, he is still in the “game” today in a big way.
3. Ron Barrette: OVERDOSE, SUPERDOSE, MAXED OUT RACING, 30 Superboat w/O/B’s, 40 Skater Cat. …names say it all!!!
4. Rich Luhrs: SHADOW RACING, Image 21 O/B and the 1^st 30 Shadow Cat…Designer, Builder, Commentator Extraordinaire…he knows everything about the “game.
5. Joe Sgro: FEVER RACING, 28 Manta w/Small Blocks …ran over 80 mph back in the 80’s, realized you go faster by chine-walking since you only use half the “coefficient of drag”…currently a star on the OUTERLIMITS/LUCAS Race Team… Tester of the new Racing neck/helmet support brace.
6. Guy LaMotta: DRY MARTINI, 27 Magnum w/Holman & Moody’s, 40 Cigarette, 53 Magnum…a great competitor, innovator, and connoisseur to our sport!
7. Sal Sciandra: AWESOME RACING, 32 Scorpion, 36 Eliminator Cat, 40 Skater Cat…1986 NPBA CHAMPION and still one of the fastest guys on the water!
8. Chris Lavin and Mark Lavin (Deceased): JESSE JAMES RACING, 28 Cigarette in 1984, 30 Chris Cat, 35 Conquest Cat…Courageous is a term that fits the Lavin Bros and their memorable style!!! “Hats-off” to their dedication & contributions to the sport…forever!
9. Larry Smith: OUTRAGEOUS RACING, 30 Sutphen in 1979, 33 Sutphen, initially powered by Jim Ross Engines in the 30 and later powered by Bill Flynn’s tachometer’s needles past 9,000 rpms(no rev-limiters) to make 92+ mph…!
10. Steve Berk: GREAT ADVENTURE, WINGS RACING, 30 Sutphen, 28 Cigarette,…numerous fast boats since then…he loves the rough water where real men race!
11. Pete Mazzo: DYNAMITE RACING, NO DISCIPLINE; presently runs a 46 Outerlimits and is a “legend” on the Poker Run circuit.
12. John Bochis: CRAZY GREEK; the name says it all, racing on Barnegat Bay since 1974, rose to “fame” on the NPBA Circuit and still goes faaaast!
13. Michael Georgio (Deceased): S and S Propellers’ Patriarch and an asset to all teams that wanted to go faster. Michael ran with the EXTRACTOR RACE TEAM on the NPBA Circuit.
14. Tom Akoury, HIGH ROLLER, BLACK DUCK RACING; Throttleman extrordinaire, started on the NPBA Circuit and conquered APBA also.
15. Joey Detore, (Deceased), M-77 SUPERBOAT, started in 1976 at Billy’s Gateway Powerboat Regatta and achieved “fame” while racing with Reggie and  beating those “Movie Stars” on Lake Ponchetrain.
16. Joey Impresscia, EAST COAST MARINE PERFORMANCE; started racing with Joey Detore in 1976 at the Gateway Powerboat Regatta and has made a “World Class” profession of it.
17. Charlie McCarthy, BANANA BOAT; Showed up in Greenwich to race with his 24 Banana Boat, “Fast Lady” (Cigarette)and never looked back.
18. Peter Myer, LADY L, INSTIGATOR; From a 28 Signature to his 38 Fountain, Peter has become a World Champion
19. Rolf Papke, STILETTO, PROROC RACING; Another success story in the industry of Hi-Performance Boating headquartered in Brick, NJ.
20. John Coen, SUPERBOAT , Builder of the Superboats of Long Island and my first nemesis in Class “A” Club Racing. He has sustained the test of time and become a legend in the industry.
21. Tony Caligure, OCEAN OUTBOARD; Tony’s 24 Checkmate made his mark on the NPBA Circuit and founded Ocean Outboard, Inc of Freeport, NY.
22. Roger Munn, JOLLY ROGER; Famous for winnimg races in his 27 Magnum where ever he entered. He dominated the fleet!23.
23. George Linder, designed our Shadows, Conquests, plus the Chris Cats including all of the Jesse James Cats.24.
24. Tim Ciasulli: MAXON RACE TEAM…still leading the way in his 51 OUTERLIMITS “Planetman”.25.
25. Lindsey Pirie: Indigo Race Team…he built the boat!26.
26. Steve Schoderer; Indigo Race Team wouldn’t have won all of those GATEWAY POWERBOAT REGATTA’S back in the 70’s without Steve’s talent!27.
27. Reggie Fountain: …needs no introduction…he is a LEGEND!28.
28. Joe Barrese: ..at 81 years old, still does his own “wrenchin’” AND GOES 92 mph!29.
29. Ray Patnaude; a racer and organizer from New Jersey…the “behind the scenes” guy that make the New Jersey scene tick.
30. Billy Frenz: a Racer, a  Musician, and the “Showman” that makes all this  HAPPEN!!!

Racers in contention for next year’s induction:

Stu Hayim(Recovery), John D’Elia(Special Edition), Sky Gillespie, Deceased,(Executioner Tunnel), Rick Felsen(Hawk Racing Team), Billy Martin(Bounty Hunter), Tom Caruso(Total Marine), Kurt Burger(Smokey and the Bandit), Fred Talarico(Big Shot), Jim Laznovsky(Extractor), Mark Tangas(Profit Taker), John Demeno(Armed and Dangerous; B-52 Bomber(not the red boat), Tim Sharkey(Apollo), Fillipone Bros(Double Vision)., Werner Kuenzle(Borderline), J.D. D’Elia(Breakaway), Matt Leuci, Aldo Aleszczuck, Gino Montrone(Instant Air), Joe Calabro, Bob Idoni, Mike Alesse(Phantom), Jeff Gerardi(Acapulco Gold, Panama Red, Freeze Frame), Rudy DiPietro(Scarab), Frank Buckley(HMS Dea Won), Richie Zul(Zul Racing), Rich Danscicin (Town and Country) are all still in the running.

 

Cast your vote for any of the above or “write-in” your favorite racer to frenzyyy@optonline.net

Go to www.nationalpowerboat.com for further info. 

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM