Clearwater Super Boat Speeds Into Town

The thrill of huge boats speeding through the Gulf of Mexico will soon be seen again in Clearwater. But there are a few essential things a race-goer needs to know to navigate the three full days of family friendly fun.
 
The Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship will speed into Downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach on October 1st for the second year in a row. Although, Super Boat has quickly become a Clearwater staple, the added activities are expected to make this year “bigger, faster, louder” compared to last year’s inaugural event – meaning there are a few essential things a race-goer needs to know.

• The spectacle of “NASCAR on water” will involve Super Boats equipped with F-16 canopies reaching speeds of up to 200 mph just off the shore of Clearwater Beach on Race Sunday, turning every corner with both grace and speed as they vie for the title of National Champion.

• The Super Boat series is the longest running offshore power boat racing series in the United States. This year, Super Boat International has teamed up with the Offshore Super Series to bring more boats and more excitement to Clearwater.

• Bright House Networks’ Blast Friday presents the St. Petersburg Times Super Boat Block Party will serve as the kick off for the Super Boat festivities. The party begins at 5:30 on October 1st on the 400 block of Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater. Blast Friday will have concerts from Suite Caroline, Frankie Valli tribute band Let’s Hang on and Bryan White, food and libations, a Junior Poker Run for kids, and a chance for fans to meet the drivers and get photos with the boats.

• The race and all (non-VIP) activities are free.

• A VIP race experience is available for purchase for an adult admission price of $100 per person and $25 for children 16 and under through the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce. The VIP race experience offers VIP race viewing, parties, and more.

• Last year, Super Boat brought an estimated 60,000-plus people to Clearwater, and made an estimated impact of $5-6 million on the local economy, without spending a penny of taxpayer’s money, picking up a traditionally slow time for tourism.

• Super Boat was brought to Clearwater by Frank Chivas of the Bay Star Restaurant Group and Former Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst of Bright House Networks, who understood the private sector has the responsibility to play a key role in the community.

• The St. Petersburg Times said that last year’s Super Boat showed “Creative ideas from the business community can help beat back the impacts of a slow economy on Clearwater's tourism industry.”

• All proceeds from the event will be donated to three local charities: The Clearwater Community Sailing Center, Sailability, and the Make a Difference Fishing Tournament.
For a schedule of race events and details, visit www.clearwatersuperboat.com.
About the Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championships:

When Super Boat International (SBI) founder and 30-year veteran, John Carbonell, wanted to produce Clearwater’s 1st Annual Super Boat National Championship and Festival two local area businessmen made it happen: Restaurateur Frank Chivas and Former Mayor of Clearwater Brian Aungst Sr.

The Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championships will be produced by Super Boat International and presented by Bright House Networks. To see the full list of sponsors, partners and sponsor hotels, visit www.clearwatersuperboat.com.