TEAM AMSOIL OFFSHORE WINS TOUGH BATTLE IN SOLOMONS ISLAND, MARYLAND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2011
Contact: Cherilyn Teague
661.295.7000 ph
661.295.7007 fax

TEAM AMSOIL OFFSHORE WINS TOUGH BATTLE IN SOLOMONS ISLAND, MARYLAND

After Hurricane Irene caused the cancellation of the Patchogue, Long Island race, Team AMSOIL was especially anxious to get back on the race course to continue the battle for the AMSOIL OPA Championship Title. The town of Solomons, Maryland and surrounding areas were excited to have the AMSOIL OPA race series back for the third annual Solomons Offshore Grand Prix. The result was huge crowds and related activities including a parade and charity fund raiser event at the Fire Station with live bands, food, and fun all day. This also gave thousands of fans the opportunity to talk to the racers and view the race boats up close.

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The Solomons race course measured about 4.6 miles running along the Board Walk on the front straight-a-way. On the back stretch, there was a chicane added creating a more challenging course. Team AMSOIL ran over 80 miles testing set ups on Saturday, looking for every half of a second to make sure they were ready for the very competitive Phoenixparts.com boat. While Team AMSOIL was testing, the Phoenixparts.com boat was having a problem with a crankshaft sensor. Team AMSOIL team member Steve Lippincott was dispatched to help the team resolve the problem. Team AMSOIL’s help resulted in the competitor’s boat being ready to run the race.

On Sunday, conditions were fairly flat with about a 7 mph wind. But the conditions changed as the race boats churned up the bay’s water. Team AMSOIL was assigned the pole position of the first start of the main event. After the parade lap, race boats formed in milling circles waiting for the pace boats to bring them up for the start. As the pace boats pick up the first start, AMSOIL took to pole position. When the green flag dropped, Team AMSOIL ran deck to deck with the other boats into the first turn.

Bob Teague and Paul Whittier carved a sharp turn at the turn 1 buoy maintaining the inside lane, continuing through turn 2, which gave enough of an advantage to maintain a tight line on turn 3 which was the right turn in the chicane. Team AMSOIL continued to run flat out maintaining the lead, with Phoenixparts.com in hot pursuit.

Course traffic presented several challenges throughout the 60 mile race. Team AMSOIL was able to stretch its lead slightly. Pushing hard to catch Team AMSOIL, Team Phoenixparts.com caught a roller in turn 5 on about the 10th lap resulting in the boat sliding sideways and flipping. Team AMSOIL was unaware that the second place boat had flipped until Paul and Bob came around on the next lap.

Team AMSOIL is happy to report that Ray Contreras and Harry Clack of Team Phoenixparts.com escaped the overturned boat through the safety hatch and were not injured. The integrity of the safety systems and the required dunker training for racers is credited for their safety. Rescue teams were on the scene immediately.

As a result of winning the Solomons Offshore Grand Prix, Team AMSOIL is the Super Cat Lite class National Champion in the AMSOIL OPA Series. Team AMSOIL has also earned more points than any boat in any class for the season which they will be recognized for by receiving the Stugots Cup Award at the OPA Annual Awards Event.

In addition to presenting the AMSOIL Offshore Powerboat Series, sanctioned by OPA, AMSOIL has stepped up to title sponsor the production of a new television program by the same crew that covered the SnowCross series. Cameras followed the Team AMSOIL members throughout the weekend to bring viewers a behind the scenes look at offshore powerboat racing. Coverage of the AMSOIL Offshore Powerboat Series is set to air on the Versus Network this November.

AMSOIL’s great sponsorship package, dedicated racing department team and superior lubricants all make it possible for Team AMSOIL Offshore Racing to achieve success! The AMSOIL Dominator Racing Oil continues to be proven as the best choice for the Mercury Racing 525 EFI engines. The Team has also proven that the absolute best oil for a Mercury dry-sump VISSM drive is AMSOIL “MCF.” Teague Custom Marine is an authorized AMSOIL dealer and offers the complete line of high performance lubricants in its store and for purchase over the phone. There are also opportunities available for you to become a dealer!

See you at the races!

Next stop: OPA World Championships – Orange Beach, AL – October 9, 2011 www.oparacing.org

Official Amsoil Site: http://www.amsoil.com/racing.aspx

Official Teague Custom Marine Site: www.teaguecustommarine.com

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