In preparation for the upcoming 5th Annual Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix, Speed On The Water and Offshore Only has been catching up with teams slotted to compete at Cocoa Beach. Check out a portion of their coverage below, featuring Team Warpaint and an update on their MTI catamaran, or click here to read it in full.
Six months after wrecking its boat in the second race of the Super Boat International Key West Offshore World Championships, Team Warpaint Offshore Racing is ready to return to action, starting with next week’s fifth annual Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix in Cocoa Beach, Fla.
“We got the boat back from MTI right after Easter,” said Bob Vesper, owner and driver of the 42-foot Marine Technology Inc. (MTI) catamaran that he runs with throttleman Danny Crank in the competitive Superboat class. “They did a beautiful job on the boat. The damage was enough that we really needed to let the manufacturer do the work, and I’m glad we did—she looks great. Now it’s time to get her back on the water.”
Vesper and team manager, Patti Raffa, said the boat is at the team’s Florida warehouse in Port Canaveral and has already been rigged with the twin 750-hp engines from Sterling Performance the team had refreshed right before the Key West races last November. Fortunately, all of the damage was done to the front right side of the boat, so the hardware and equipment was intact.
Team Warpaint won’t be the only MTI at Cocoa Beach this weekend, as both the #05 Team BROACDO and #20 Spirit of Qatar boats are also registered to compete in the event.
Feel the need for speed? Check out the fifth annual super boat races that will zip and zoom over the water between the Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave., and Lori Wilson Park on May 18.
Organizers for Thunder on Cocoa Beach, known previously as Thunder on the Beach Super Boat Grand Prix or simply, super boat races, have an entertainment lineup that will build excitement up until race day. Festivities for this year’s event start on May 14.
Last year, organizers said about 80,000 people attended the four-day event. Thunder on the Beach is part of the Super Boat International circuit, sort of like a NASCAR for high-speed, off-shore boats. The boats can be in the $1 million-plus range and they can go as fast as 200 mph.
Tickets are $24.99 for a Sunday VIP ticket, $59.97 for a thrillseeker VIP ticket, and $74.97 for a premium VIP ticket for adults. VIP tickets for children are $19.97.
For more information, call 321-799-9444 or visit thunderoncocoabeach.com. If you can’t make it out to the races, don’t miss out! You can still keep up with all the action in real-time via the official Super Boat International Live Stream, here!
Sources: www.OffshoreOnly.com; Jason Johnson; May 7, 2014. www.FloridaToday.com; May 7, 2014.