Legends of the NPBA – National Powerboat Association


LEGEND of the NATIONAL POWERBOAT ASSOCIATION Guy LaMotta (1942-2021) By Billy Frenz
Guy LaMotta "… my personal HERO and inspiration for over 45 years, rarely took “NO” as the final answer… from ANY authority." BF
I met him at the 1974 Benihana Gran Prix in Pt Pleasant, NJ…as we were both sneakin’ up the Manasquan riverbank to get into the back door of the Hot-Pits Area … because 5 minutes earlier, they said “NO” to both he and I, neither one of us took “NO” as the answer. …we think alike…and became sincere friends for over 45 years. Guy raced his 27 Magnum with twin-Holman and Moody’s and I raced my 20 Bertram. Boat Racing was our common bond. Then we grew into the 80’s and produced powerboat races with Guy supplying the Finish Line Yacht, a big, 53 Huckins with an Italian cook on board making tomato gravy…24 hours a day in the galley , FULL TIME, stewing tomato sauce…you could SMELL your way to his boat! Our friends Tony Lucarro and Peter Meyer joined in the fun with their 27 Signature…and we made HISTORY. We enjoyed a 10 year run producing a generation of world class boat races with our Gateway Powerboat Regatta/National Powerboat Association Series…Pete Aitkin, Chris and Mark Lavin, John and JD D’Elia, Stu Hayim, are all products of our events… just to name a few. Guys’ speedboats got bigger…a 36 Cigarette and then a 39 Squadron XII...what a boat!	Guy served in the US Army from 1962 to 1965 and then as Harbor Patrol for the Town of North Hempstead. --------------------------------------------------- In 1964 he followed his passion for boats and being on the water. He purchased property and developed Manhasset Bay Marina which has been part of Port Washington for the past 57 years. The real Port Washington. 1964 Worlds Fair gas dock float at Manhasset Bay Marina serving boaters in 1970 before becoming the roof to LaMotta's Restaurant --------------------------------------------------- "We ran Boat Races and Record Runs Around Long Island, along with Poker Runs on Long Island Sound and around New York City…whenever it had something to do with speedboats, GUY WAS IN ! We did it ALL….even when they said, “NO”!" Billy Frenz --------------------------------------------------- Guy & Billy
Guy & Rocky Aoki	Guy also had a passion for horses. For nearly 20 years he also resided in Saratoga Springs, Where he helped Gabriel and Nicole in building Goodwin Farms.
	"Worldly "… we used to joke, “who needs the internet when we’ve got Guy…” Loving- of his “FFC” …family, friends and co-workers alike…
Guy LaMotta may best be described by these words from his nephew, Pat Fay, “Guy LaMotta was an encyclopedia of boating information, whether it was about racing, sailing, navigation or marine fabrication and construction, he always had the answer for the problem or question. Guy also knew everyone in the boating community from Key West to Maine, we could be at an event or boat show and run into someone from 30 years ago and then end up telling stories of their adventures and escapades together for hours like the time has never passed. Guy was the most generous and fun person to be around if you were family and if you were his friend, you were family whether you wanted to be or not. He would always have a crowd around him listening to stories whether he bought you a drink or was cooking food for a crowd. He was the center of attention if he was in the room if he was quiet or holding court.” --------------------------------------------------- My good friend, and yours, Offshore Commission Chairman of the American Powerboat Association Rich Luhrs had this to say: “The fact that his Marina was in my hometown… His restaurant had great food and quality which was his passion… His love of Offshore Racing and its history…. His loyalty to Cigarette… His continual hosting of Races and Poker Runs with a smile, … that, made you feel welcome…" --------------------------------------------------- World Champion Powerboat Racer Stu Hayim told us this about Guy: “Generous beyond words. I put a decal 6” around on the side of my 1st Raceboat. In return, he promised to launch and retrieve my boat “at cost” for the year. For the following 32 years including the around LI day he never once charged me a dime. Spanning 14 boats!" ---------------------------------------------------


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Immediate Release: August 21, 2021 LEGENDS Honored & a Poker Run Around NEW YORK CITY… Port Washington, New York…Long Island Sound. The National Powerboat Association has honored a Special Group of Men that have stood our as WINNERS in the Gateway Powerboat Regattas of Greenwich, CT and the NPBA’s Events over the past 44 years in the New York City/Northeastern Region. Many have gone on to race nationally and many have become leaders in the marine industry. A LEGEND may be one of our “RECORD SETTERS” of the “Around Long Island Challenge”…or they may be one of the “KINGS OF THE V-BOTTOMS or CATS” at any of our Events on the Hudson River or Long Island Sound, …or just have been a COOL Competitor.
We CELEBRATED the LEGENDS with a 65 mile Poker Run Around NEW YORK CITY…followed by a PARTY and AWARDS…a GOOD TIME. The National Powerboat Association presented Awards to and Recognized the LEGENDS of the NPBA POWERBOAT Circuit…on Saturday, August 21, at 4 PM at LaMotta’s Restaurant/Manhasset Bay Marina, Port Washington, NY. This was Preceded by a 12 noon, 65 mile Poker Run around New York City that paid $5,000.00 CASH to the best 5 card hand. Many came to meet these Men that are the STARS of our Events and have become well known to all competitors, Regionally and Nationally, …in our unique sport. Honoring the LEGENDS of our Sport gave a unique perspective on how long and how fast we go in our boats…a great perspective after 18 months of Covid 19 lockdown. Enjoying Sponsorships from Total Marine/FOUNTAIN POWERBOATS, FERRARI of Long Island, TRULY, and more…enhanced the success of the event. Our ALL-STAR Crew of enthusiastic power boaters showed up on Saturday, that started with a Driver’s meeting and then a parade out of Manhasset Bay into Long Island Sound…Buoy 27.	As the Helicopter showed up, the PACEBOAT of Sam Galasso, a 120+MPH, 47 Fountain, lead the group to a quick start…around the most famous City in the world. Under the Throggs Neck Bridge, under the Whitestone Bridge, down the East River, up the Hudson river, and return on the Harlem River. A 65 mile course that’s scenery can’t be beat…a sea-level view of New York City from the water. The FAST Fun was restarting at the Statue of Liberty and speeding up the Hudson River, in relatively calm conditions, a mere 6 miles to the George Washington Bridge.
Sam Galasso 47 Fountain with T-1550HPs Sam started with 24 Superboat w/300HP Merc, to a 35 Turbo charged Fountain, to a 38 Supercharged Fountain ....SPEED THRILLS!	Joe Cibellis 42 MTI Cat with T-1100HPs Joe has been a Legend since he and Joe Sgro set the 3 hour, 5 minute V-Bottom Record circumnavigating Long Island 2011 in a 43 Outerlimits with Ilmor Power, breaking Stu Hayim’s previous record of 3 hours and 6 minutes.
James Knowles 39 Sutphen with T-1150HPs James is new to the NPBA scene, but has been building this 39 Sutphen to perfection at 100 MPH, thrilling every passenger that steps on-board!	Joe Giunta 42 Cigarette with T-800HPs After enjoying a handful of center console Cigarettes, Joe moved up to a REAL SPEEDBOAT with 860HP Mercs and has joined the NPBA to participate in future events on Long Island Sound ... and New York City !
While enjoying the sights of Manhattan on the starboard side, soon ends at the Harlem River, the border between Manhattan and the Bronx…we take the Harlem River, under 15 bridges and past Yankee Stadium. Soon we approach Hell’s Gate, where the East River, Harlem River, and Long Island Sound come together…usually rough and choppy, but not for this fleet!
Greg Abbate 40 Fountain with T-900HPs Greg entered his first NPBA Event with the “LEGENDS Poker Run Around NYC” to show off his Classic 12 Meter Fountain with 900HPs and Arneson Drives. Gregg gets the award for the highest rooster tail!	Theo Baktidy 38 Formula with Twin-470HPs
The return course brings everyone past Riker’s Island, LaGuardia Airport and SUNY Maritime Academy. We arrive back at Manhasset Bay Marina for the Festivities ... and the AWARDS.

We arrive back at Manhasset Bay Marina for the Festivities and the AWARDs	BEST LOOKING BOAT Vinny Winoski and Team 34’ Phantom
SPIRIT OF THE NPBA: Sam Galasso and Team	BEST DRESSED CREW Wesley Abraham and Team 36’ Cigarette Gladiator
The 2021 National Powerboat Association Legends Awards
Joe Castellana, AWESOME RACE TEAM	Tom and Wes Abraham: “Around Long Island” Single Engine Record Holder
Bill Betz QUICK GET AWAY TEAM Legend of the NPBA, King of the Long Island Sound V-Bottoms 2009 & 2012, NPBA Poker Runner.	Tony Caligure (d) OCEAN OUTBOARD RACE TEAM National Champion and Winner in the Gateway Powerboat Re-gatta Series. (Tony's Wife and Son receiving the NPBA LEGEND Award.)
Alan Cohen Legend of the NPBA, Racer, Inspector, Referee, Paceboat Driver.	Peter Meyer LADY L & INSTIGATOR RACE TEAMS World and National Champion, NPBA Hall of Farner, Raced in the Gateway Powerboat Regatta Series.
Joe Cibellis: World Record Holder V-Bottom Around Long Island	Tommy Caruso and Sons: LEGEND and NPBA Hall of Famer
Joe Defusco SONIC RACE TEAM Winner "Marathon Around Long Island Race 2010". 30' Sonic	Chris Cestaro OCEAN PERFORMANCE RACE TEAM Legend & NPBA Hall of Farner, Gateway Powerboat Regatta Competitor, Old Saybrook Poker Run Winner.
Matthew Gordon Around Long Island Challenger SPIRIT OF THE NPBA Winner	Joe Sgro (d) LEGEND of the NPBA World’s Fastest V-Bottom Record Holder. AROUND LONG ISLAND V-BOTTOM RECORD HOLDER
Mike Alesse LEGEND of the NPBA, PHANTOM RACE TEAM, National Champion	BEST POKER HAND Anthony Musser $5,000.00 Winner

Guy LaMotta (d) DRY MARTINI RACE TEAM King of Long island Sound 2004, NPBA Hall of Farner, Raced in the Gateway Powerboat Regatta Series.
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THE EVENT
Saturday, August 21, 2021 LaMotta’s Restaurant/Manhasset Bay Marina, Port Washington, NY. ________________________________________________ The EDITED Legends video Includes Helicam & Boatcam ________________________________________________ The RAW Legends video RAW Helicam (both videos include the awards presentations) ________________________________________________ The Legends event photos Photos from the helicopter, various boats & on-shore friends ________________________________________________ Our ALL-STAR Crew of enthusiastic power boaters showed up on Saturday, we started with a Driver’s meeting and then a parade out of Manhasset Bay into Long Island Sound…Buoy 27. Under the Throgg's Neck Bridge, under the Whitestone Bridge, down the East River, up the Hudson river, and return on the Harlem River. A 65 mile course that’s scenery can’t be beat…a sea-level view of New York City from the water. ________________________________________________ As the Helicopter showed up, the PACEBOAT of Sam Galasso, a 120+MPH, 47 Fountain, led the group to a quick start…around the most famous City in the world. ________________________________________________ *Members of the NPBA who are LEGENDS!* ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
the NPBA Crew… ”back in the day”

ACCOMODATIONS ROSLYN CLAREMONT HOTEL 1221 Old Northern Blvd Roslyn, NY 11756 Tel: 800- 626-9005 HOLIDAY INN - WESTBURY 369 Old Country Road Carle Place, NY 11514 Tel: 516-997-5000 THE GARDEN CITY HOTEL 45 Seventh Street, Garden City Long Island, NY Local:(516) 747-3000 Free: (877) 549-0400 THE MANSION AT GLEN COVE 200 Dosoris Lane, Glen Cove Long Island, NY www.glencovemansion.com Reservations (516) 671-6400
P.S. It all started here .. ... my 20' Bertram Baron !

Joe Castellana Joe Castellana started racing his red, 32 Scorpion, “AWESOME” on my National Powerboat Association’s Race circuit in 1986 in the ‘D” class. As I started producing Poker Runs in the 90’s, primarily the NEW YORK CITY POWERBOT POKER RUNs that started in 1997 on the Hudson River. Joe and his son joined me and found the winning combination in his 386 Skater Cat powered by Sterling big-blocks, after going through a few different boats. He ‘peaked’ as KING OF LONG ISLAND SOUND in 2016 and 2017 in his 386 Skater Cat. Joe received our ‘NPBA LEGEND AWARD’ in 2021.

Larry Smith - "OUTRAGEOUS"

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