Team WHM Motorsports driven by William Mauff with Jay Muller on the throttles. (photo by: Chuck Green / Cg Photography)

Clearwater, Fla. — The fourth annual, Clearwater Superboat National Championship, is now in the books, and by all accounts, a rousing success for

Team Phathom with Mark Neiman driving and Kurt Jugel on the throttles. (photo by: Chuck Green / Cg Photography)

all involved. Thousands of people lined the white sands of Clearwater Beach, and a large fleet of spectator boats were anchored along the entire back stretch of the four mile race course in anticipation for what was to come. Seven different classes of boats took to the relatively calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico for two rounds of racing. The production and stock classes were up first, and delivered crowd pleasing, water spraying, and on numerous occasions, deck to deck racing action.  This would set the stage for the second race of the day featuring the world’s largest, and fastest race boats in the world, the Unlimited Superboats. The unlimited Superboats are generally forty feet plus from bow to stern, and can produce upwards of 2200 horsepower, with speeds ranging near 180MPH. The field at Clearwater would feature the superstars of the sport, WHN Motorsports, Superheat, Gassee, Stihl, and the fan favorite, the bright neon green, Miss Geico. When the green flag dropped, the Superboats literally thundered into the first corner with the Team Gasse boat leading the way. The action was close throughout the entire race as the Gasse, and WHM motorsport boats swapped the lead several times, and the only turbine powered boat in the field, the Semper Fi would stay in close contention. Fan favorite Miss Geico would succumb to mechanical issues, and dropped out early. When all was said, and done the bright red, team Gasse, with Tor Staubo at the helm, and John Tomlinson controlling the throttles, would take the victory, and with it the Clearwater Superboat National Championship title.

Team Gasse with Tor Staubo driving and John Tomlinson on the throttles. (photo by: Chuck Green / Cg Photography)

Great weather, fast boats, and exciting racing capped a week-end of festivities that benefit several local marine charities. Clearwater resident and wrestling superstar, Hulk Hogan was the official grand marshal for the event, and race organizers are already working on plans for the fifth annual Superboat race in 2013. Next up for the Superboats is the World Championship in Key West, Florida.

Complete race results from the Clearwater National Championship, and details of the upcoming World Championship are available by visiting www.superboat.com