Diesel News

Clash of the Titans Set for Super Bowl Weekend - On the Water and the Gridiron

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ — Dungy and Smith won’t be the only ones readying their teams for a victorious South Florida showdown this weekend. Hollywood will play host to a Super Bowl of a different kind — powerboat racing. The stage is set for a “Clash of the Titans” between AMF’s turbine-powered “Miss Geico 2 Platinum” and Team Cintron’s piston-powered boat — the fastest engines on the water today. AMF Offshore stands firm behind its bet on its jet-power, the same engines that flew Cobra attack helicopters during the first Gulf War. With good reason, in past seasons when set up against Team Cintron, AMF landed on top. The two will face off again in the kickoff race of the season at the Super Boat International/American Power Boat Association’s Hollywood Super Bowl Grand Prix, Thursday, Feb. 1 - Sunday, Feb. 4.

Like Dungy and Smith, John Haggin, Owner and Founder of AMF Offshore Racing, believes in his team and does what it takes to stay number one. From equipment to crew, AMF Offshore Racing is the preeminent team in the constantly-evolving sport of powerboat racing. There is one reason why — the experience of his crew.

“Our boats are the best in the business. The engines we have on the water are unparalleled in their power and durability,” said Haggin. “But, they’re only machines without the mastery of the men who make them run.”

Driver Marc Granet is a seasoned veteran who broke into the sport through an impressive campaign of the outboard catamaran, the hottest and most competitive class in offshore racing today. A natural evolution to the big turbine-powered “Miss Geico 2 Platinum” catamaran came in 2006 when Granet joined the AMF team. “This is the most technologically-advanced boat that I’ve ever seen,” he said. “The inside of the cockpit looks like a space shuttle.”

And, Throttleman Scotty Begovich will tell you it flies. A seasoned racer who honed his skills in the Vee-bottom classes, Begovich brings a rare perspective to the cat campaign. “The boat is very responsive,” Begovich said. “Even at half throttle we fly by the other boats like they’re standing still.” Miss Geico 2 Platinum” is powered by twin T53-L13 Lycoming engines, each one putting out 1500 in heated horsepower.

This is the inaugural contest of the 14-race season that will take these teams, and many others, from Florida’s East Coast, as far north as New York City and then back to Key West for a World Championship. AMF Offshore is positioned for its best performance ever with the backing of insurance industry leader Geico. Fans will feel the excitement, energy and undeniable appeal of the team as Miss Geico 2 — the name of the turbine-powered boat and the hot mascot who finds her perch atop the bow — whizzes by. “We are a team ready to win — not only every race, but the hearts and commitment of fans throughout the country, as we come prepared to present a once-in-a-lifetime performance,” Haggin said. AMF Offshore will not only reach out to its first- class fan base at the race site, but is set to warm the hearts of children who’ll be watching it televised from Chris Evert Children’s Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale. On Thursday, the team will visit children in the hospital’s pediatrics and oncology units, offering a close-up look at their mighty machine and sharing the wonder and possibilities of adventure. “It’s important to our team that we touch every community however we can in a way that will make a lasting difference in a little one’s life,” Granet said.

For more information on the Clash of the Titans — Turbine vs. Piston race — or to schedule an interview with the AMF Team, please call Kanika Tomalin at 727-742-7108.

Complete engine specifications for the AMF Offshore “Miss Geico 2 Platinum” turbine-engine powered boat follow.

Specifications: AMF Offshore “Miss Geico”
2007 Miss Geico 2 Platinum.

Builder: Platinum/Skater
Design: Michael Peters
Materials: Composite, Carbon, Epoxy
Length: 40 feet
Beam: 11′ 10
Weight: 9,500 lbs
Fuel: 265 Gal Capacity
Type: Jet- A, Kerosene, Diesel
Engines: Lycoming T-53 L13 series
Drives: BPM, Surface
Horsepower: 1450 x 2
Propellers: Precision, High Strength Alloy
Rudder: Stainless, FlexiTab, Italy
Paint: House of Colors, EFX
Performance: 185+ MPH!!!
0-180 mph = 1 mile

Hollywood Super Bowl Grand Prix Event Schedule

THURSDAY FEB. 1ST 2007
9:00am-3:00pm Registration/Information: Tent — Hard Rock-
Parking Lot East of Main Entrance Across the
Street
9:00am-5:00pm Dry Pits: Hard Rock- Parking Lot East of Main
Entrance Across The Street
9:00am-5:00pm Inspections: Dry Pits
6:00pm Mandatory Drivers Meeting: Registration Tent -
Dry Pits
7:00pm - 9:00pm Racer’s Party: SBIP/APBA-AMF Party in the Pits

FRIDAY, FEB. 2ND , 2007
9:00am-5:00pm Registration/Information: Tent - Dry Pits
9:00am-5:00pm Dry Pits: Hard Rock-Parking Lot East of Main
Entrance Across the Street
8:00am-5:00pm Inspections: Dry Pits
9:00am-5:00pm Launching: Playboy Marina 760 Taylor Lane
9:00am-5:00pm Testing: As per the Driver’s Meeting
8:00am-5:00pm Fueling: TBA
7:00pm - 9:00pm Racer’s Party: Nick’s Bar & Grill 1214 N.
Broadwalk Parking Off Johnson St. in Parking
Garage.
7:00pm - 9:00pm Racer’s Party: Ocean’s 11, 3111 N. Surf Rd.

SATURDAY, FEB. 3RD , 2007
7:30:am-8:30am Physicals: Registration Tent
9:00am Mandatory Drivers Meeting — Registration Tent
8:00am-4:00pm Launching/Recovery: Playboy Marina
8:00am-12:00pm Fueling: TBA
10:00am Pilots Briefing: N. Perry Airport
12:30pm Boats Proceed to Milling Area
1:00pm Start of 1st Race
2:00pm Start of 2nd Race: As soon as you are launched
proceed to milling area to be ready to start
right after the 1st race.
6:00pm Awards: On special stage that has been placed on
the Beach for the event. On the Sand at the end
of Johnson St.