Thanks to the signing of a sponsorship agreement with the producers of Thunder on the Gulf, offshore powerboat racing will return to Orange Beach Alabama and the Gulf Shores from October 15-17 2010.
Thunder on the Gulf will be “a two race World Championship event, meaning the boats will race twice, on Friday, October 15, and Sunday October 17; the teams with the most combined points between the two days of racing will be crowned OPA (Offshore Powerboat Association) World Champions,” according to the OPA press release.
The OPA reportedly expects to have at least 40 boats racing in a dozen classes, ranging from 24′ , 70 mile per hour single engine craft, to the infamous Miss Geico, a 50′ seagoing 200 mile per hour, turbine powered missile. The OPA has also announced that “His Highness”, Sheikh Hassan Bin Jabor Al-Thani, from Qatar, will be racing in one of his two identical Lamborghini powered 43′ catamarans, which are capable of speeds over 160 miles per hour.
The dry pits for Thunder on the Gulf will be located at the Gulf State Park Pavilion on the beach. The pits will be open to the public beginning Wednesday, going all the way through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Spectators will be able to ogle the gigantic race boats, meet the racers, enjoy numerous activities, and check out all of the official race merchandise from a spectacular view of the coast. The wet pits will be open for viewing as well, where spectators can watch the boats splashing around at the Caribe, Cobalt.
The non-stop, total party action of Thunder on the Gulf will kick off before the races, starting Wednesday, October 13, when VIP pass member events begin-including, a pre-race party at the trendy Flora-Bama Lounge at 6 pm . The following night, Thursday, October 14, the Happy Harbor Bar and Restaurant will hold another pre-race party.
This is going to be one wet and wild race party- one that racing enthusiasts don’t want to miss. While you’re preparing for the excitement of a wet and wild week of racing, we here at iTrip.net will be preparing you for an equally awesome Orange Beach condo rental.
For more information on the races and events, be sure to visit the Thunder on the Gulf official website.
Thanks for the update. Glad to see this event has been rescheduled due to the oil spill. An awesome event viewed from a Gulf front condo balcony. A must attend event.
Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that..
I completely see your point, a valid one indeed. Still, many people do have time for vacation, or their business takes them around globe. You’ve also got the racing fanatics, racing of all kinds, who live and breathe the extreme sport. These people want to know about these events. I do hope you can find the time soon to take a soothing and relaxing vacation, and we hope to see you back here soon!
-Annabella
We couldn’t agree more!
-Annabella
I work as security at the caribe resort where the wet docks are and we have hosted this event at our docks in the past and it is always a great event. if you come do not come into the caribe resort go down to the cobalt resturant and park at the resturant that will be the only access to see the boats for the general public at the wet docks the only other option is if you are a caribe employee resident or guest rentiing a room