The 24th annual running of the Suncoast Grand Prix will be taking place from July 4th – 6th. For those of you who are not familiar with the event, it is the largest offshore race of its kind. As a matter of fact it is the largest sporting event in Florida period. Last year over 400,000 people attended the event. The race itself takes place off of Lido Beach on the 6th with two races; one at 11:00 a.m. and the other at 1:00 p.m. (subject to change).

Over the past 23 years this race has given over $14 million dollars to the Suncoast Foundation for the Handicapped. If you would like more information about the race and events prior to the race go to www.suncoastoffshore.org. You owe it to yourself to attend this event. It will blow you away and your money goes to a great cause.

Miss GEICO – Full Throttle

What do you do when you have the financial backing, you are 50 years old and have a love for powerboat racing? How about resurrecting the Titanic? Just kidding! But what John Haggin is attempting is just as daunting a task. “Haggin” as his friends call him, with the help from GEICO is putting the sport of offshore racing in the limelight.

Over the last 30 plus years Offshore Racing has gone from its heydays of the 80’s to a secondary sport today. Other sports like NASCAR and Motocross have flourished during this time. Offshore racing just barely existed. With no television exposure and a shrinking fan base the sport looked doomed. Haggin had a vision for the sport. But to understand his vision, you have to understand the man.

John Haggin was an only child who craved attention even at an early age. It was because of his attention getting antics that he spent his adolescent years in military school in Virginia. After graduation his parents set him free to fend for himself and to mold his character. Never having to work before made his freedom challenging. After a series of odd jobs Haggin started to get serious about his future. Over the next couple of years his love for the water and racing took hold. He created AMF Offshore Racing, LLC and began assembling his racing team.

Even with six world powerboat racing championships to his name and four 2007 World Championships for AMF more needed to be done to more the sport forward. Haggin needed someone to share his vision. AMF Offshore Racing found someone who could think outside the box like them. In 2006 GEICO Insurance became that partner. AMF Offshore Racing created Miss GEICO Racing and the vision started the take seed. With the marketing support of GEICO and the showmanship and enthusiasm of Haggin, the future of offshore racing will include big name sponsors, television, new family friendly racing venues and a broadening of its fan base.

To this end GEICO has joined AMF Racing to create the Miss GEICO Triple Crown. This is a series of three races along the east coast which will yield to its only champion. The prize money is the sports largest and should draw many new competitors. This series will help develop the smaller boat classes so they have the opportunity to grow the sport. Haggin and GEICO realize that the heart and sole of the sport is in the smaller more affordable classes. This will be the breeding ground of the next generation of heroes.

Ushering in a new era will not be easy. There still exist major obstacles to overcome but with the backing of GEICO, future sponsors and the PT Barnum mentality of Haggin the sport will shine. Offshore racing is headed for the big time with unprecedented growth and excitement. When the show comes to your town make sure you are there to experience the thrill of a lifetime.

(What you do in life…echo’s for eternity) John Haggin