Panama City Beach Hosts 2007 National and Florida Championship Race

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (September 12, 2007) – Prepare for an adrenaline rush at sea during one of the world’s largest powerboat races. Catch the 2007 Super Boat National and Florida Championship Race, Friday, Oct. 19 – Sunday, Oct. 21, in Panama City Beach, Fla. Also featuring boat parades, awards, parties and more, it’s an action-packed weekend for the entire family.

The Super Boat Grand Prix is sanctioned by Super Boat International Productions, Inc., as the leading series in the extreme sport of professional powerboat racing. Now in its 17th year, the racing series attracts top-ranking competitors and enthusiasts from across the country for 10 events along America’s East Coast, from Miami Beach to the Hudson River.

As the culmination of the Super Boat Grand Prix national series, the National and Florida Championship Race promises to get the heart pumping with three days of high-speed fun. Take an up-close look at some of the world’s fastest and largest powerboats during the Super Boat Parade, Friday, 5:00 p.m. Bring family and friends to this free event. The parade begins on Front Beach Road and Clara Ave, and proceeds east to end at Spinnaker Beach Club & Paradise Grill, 8795 Thomas Dr.

On Sunday, spectators line the pristine shoreline of Panama City Beach for prime viewing of the two main racing events, which take place just 60 feet offshore. During the Grand Prix, the 50-foot Super Boats slice across the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, propelled by up to four engines that allow them to reach speeds upwards of 200 miles per hour in less than a minute. The winners of each race will go on to compete for the international title in the world’s largest powerboat race, the 2007 World Championship Race in Key West, Florida.

Panama City Beach Event Schedule

Friday, October 19, 2007
• 9:00am – 5:00pm - Registration/Information at Frank Brown Park
• 9:00am – 5:00pm – Dry Pits at Frank Brown Park
• 9:00am – 5:00pm - Inspection at Frank Brown Park
• 5:00pm - Boat Parade Front Beach Road from Clara Ave. East to Beach Drive and continue East to Spinnakers
• 6:00pm – 10:00pm – Racers’ Party at Spinnakers

Saturday, October 20, 2007
• 9:00am – Mandatory Drivers’ Meeting at Frank Brown Park
• 9:00am – 5:00pm - Dry Pits at Frank Brown Park
• 9:00am – 5:00pm - Fueling at Frank Brown Park
• 10:00am – 5:00pm - Registration/Information at Frank Brown Park
• 10:00am – 5:00pm - Testing & Launching, location TBA
• 7:00pm – 9:00pm - Racers’ Party

Sunday, October 21, 2007
• 7:30am – 8:30am - Physicals: Frank Brown Park
• 9:00am - Mandatory Drivers Meeting at Frank Brown Park
• 7:30am – 5:00pm - Launching/ Recovery, TBA
• 7:00am – 12:00pm - Fuelling at Frank Brown Park
• 10:00am - Pilots Briefing at Panama City – Bay County International Airport
• 12:30pm - Boats Proceed to Milling Area: Race 1
• 1:00pm - Start of First Race
• 2:00pm - Start of Second Race
• 6:00pm - Awards Ceremony at Frank Brown Park

For a complete lineup of events and times, visit www.superboat.com or call 1-800-PCBEACH or visit www.thebeachloversbeach.com.

About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The Northwest Florida destination was cited as one of America’s Most Beautiful Beaches by Condé Nast Traveler, 2006. Additional recognition as a top beach destination comes from The Travel Channel, USA Today, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, delectable dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this seaside destination annually. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070) or visit http://www.thebeachloversbeach.com.