In the first of two days of offshore racing action, boats in ten different classes competed in Morehead City, NC, for the 2020 OPA Crystal Coast World Championships.
Seven boats competed for top honors in Super Stock class, including Wicked, FJ Propeller, LPC Racing, Phase 5, Jackhammer, STR and Floyds1921.com. STR (Shaun Torrente Racing) took an early lead—hardly a surprise after Torrente’s and teammate Eric Belisle‘s triumphant showing just weeks ago at the Lake of the Ozarks race. However, mechanical gremlins forced the boat off the course, allowing for Reese Langheim and Ricky Maldonado in Jackhammer to take the lead, which they managed to retain. Phase 5 finished in second place, followed by LPC Racing and Wicked.
Nine Pro Stock Vee competitors were on the lineup. #77 Done Deal/Choppers Propellers—a 30′ Phantom piloted by owner/throttleman Steve Papp and driver Mike Mironyk—were the guys to beat, having taken a strong early lead and holding on to it for the duration. #66 LSB Racing, with Brit Lilly and Kevin Smith, moved their way from fourth to third, and finally finished with an second-place finish. They were followed by North Myrtle Beach, Typhoon, Speed Marine/Woah Mama and Fastboys.
Miss GEICO (featuring Steve Curtis and Brit Lilly) and Talisman were the only entries in ClassONE, which Miss GEICO won handily. Knucklehead Racing ran unopposed in Vee Extreme Class. Nitro Circus superstar Travis Pastrana was expected to run in Miss GEICO with Curtis during Sunday’s second and final race.
Results in these and other classes:
ClassONE
1st: Miss GEICO
2nd: Talisman
VEE EXTREME
1st: Knucklehead
SUPER STOCK
1st: Jackhammer
2nd: Phase 5
3rd LPC Racing
MODIFIED VEE
1st: Sun Print
2nd: 151 Express
3rd: Marker 17 Marine
STOCK VEE
1st: Done Deal
2nd: LSB Racing
3rd: N. Myrtle Beach
CLASS 3
1st: Team Woody
2nd: Strictly Business
3rd: Reindl Powerboats
CLASS 4
1st: Tsunami
2nd: Typhoon
3rd: Old School
CLASS 5
1st: Reindl Powerboats
2nd: Hungry Howie’s
3rd: Tunnel Vision
CLASS 6
1st: Rum Runner
2nd: Money Monster
3rd: Deception
CLASS 7
1st: Evil Ways
2nd: Team Progression
3rd: Chug It