For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
August 14, 2009 Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbmg.net
Who's the Top Gun With the Fastest Boat? Find Out
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. –Find out who has the fastest boat at the Lake of the Ozarks—an honor that comes with the title Top Gun—at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, Aug. 28-30 at Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill on Lake Road 5-50 in Sunrise Beach (mile marker 34.5). The popular event will raise funds for Lake Area Rescue Teams, Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations.
The largest unsanctioned boat race in the nation, Powerboat Magazine has named the Shootout one of the nation’s eight “must-see” boating events. The race will run from the 32.5 to the 34.5 mile marker, just below the Hurricane Deck Bridge.
Ron Duggan, owner of Captain Ron’s, says he expects more than 100 boats to participate this year, up from 94 last year. They’ll be itching to bump current champs David Scott and John Tomlinson, who recaptured Top Gun honors in 2008 with a top speed of 178 mph. In 2007, Top Gun Callan Marine hit 209 mph. “The participants come from all over,” Duggan says, including Florida, California, New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Michigan. “Of course a lot of Lake boat-owners like to try out the course too.”
Boats measuring at least 22 feet in length will be eligible to participate in the Shootout. Competitions will be held in more than 50 boat classes based on length, hull design, and size and number of motors. Each racer will have one mile to build up speed before being clocked by radar. The times will be recorded and measured against other competitors. As a result, each boat races against the clock, not other participants.
However, Duggan notes, for the first time in the Shootout’s 20-year history, a Grudge Match will take place twice on Saturday and once on Sunday. “This event will feature two big-time boats driven by professional drivers going head to head,” Duggan says. “Everyone really is excited about it and the spectators are going to love it.”
Duggan says last year a record 60,000-plus people watched the Shootout action and he expects an even bigger crowd this year. Captain Ron’s, he says, is particularly suited to accommodate the crowds and activities. “It’s easily accessible right off Highway 5,” he says. “We’ll have a dock open for the public so people can boat in and stay a while. Also there will be plenty of parking available at $10 per car but admission to the property and docks will be free.”
New this year, Duggan will set up a large jumbotron TV and numerous other TVs and speakers throughout Captain Ron’s and on the dock so visitors can hear and see the broadcast of the event. In addition, for the convenience of spectators on boats, Captain Ron’s will operate two vessels offering pizza, refreshments and official Shootout merchandise throughout the event. Spectators also may opt to watch the event from the finish line on board the Celebration Cruise yacht. Day passes of $85 per person will include a round-trip shuttle from Captain Ron’s, food buffet and drink specials. For information, please call (53) 480-3212 or visit www.cruiselake.com.
There’s always a complete roster of fun events connected with the Shootout. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the first annual Shootout Benefit Golf Tournament will be held at Indian Rock Golf Club, Laurie, with a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. The popular 130-mile “Dam Run” will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, departing from Surdyke Yamaha Marina. Also at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, the 2009 Shootout Charity Auction will offer more than $25,000 in goods and services from golf and lodging to NASCAR tickets and coolers, grills, jewelry and much, much more. And from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday, participants can register at Captain Ron’s for the fifth annual Lake Ozark Shootout Poker Run, to be held on Friday from 7:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. starting from Franky & Louie’s. A Stereo Shootout, presented by Waves & Wheels, will take place at 6:00 p.m. Friday at Dog Days. The Racer Village and Vendor Village will be open daily at Captain Ron’s, where visitors also will enjoy free live entertainment nightly.
Shooutout participants may register online at www.lakeoftheozarksshootout.org or in person Thursday through Sunday at Captain Ron’s. The $50 registration fee includes two runs. The opening ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Captain Ron’s, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony there at 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
Major Shootout sponsors include Diet Pepsi, Powerboat Magazine, Captain Ron’s, Lockton, AT&T The Real Yellow Pages, West Side Star, Poly Lift Boat Lifts, Charter Media, KRMS AM 1150 and Rough Water Dock.
“We invite everyone to come out and spend an enjoyable weekend on the Lake’s west side and throughout the Lake area,” Duggan says. “We guarantee we will put on a good show for everybody!”
For more information about the Shootout, please call 573-348-1221 or visit www.lakeoftheozarksshootout.org. And to find out more about all the events, activities, shopping, attractions, lodging and dining at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, call 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau’s web site, www.funlake.com.
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