OSS Havasu summary

OSS and POPRA Combine Forces on Lake Havasu!

Saturday, April 26, 2008: Winds gusting as high as 33 mph forced the cancellation of the second half of the Shootout at the 2008 Desert Storm Poker Run, presented by Lake Racer and Teague Custom Marine, Inc., on Lake Havasu Saturday. But not before a King of the Desert was crowned. Driver Michael DeFrees coaxed his offshore powerboat to a top speed of 165 mph, the fastest speed recorded in the morning session.

That speed also gave DeFrees the top spot in his boating class. Twenty-two boats ran in 11 classes in the abbreviated shootout. Boaters started in Thompson Bay and had 1 mile - to just south of Contact Point - to reach top speed. Another mile was designated for the boats to safely power down.

Gary Smith, of Phoenix, was the only pilot to offer a significant challenge to DeFrees. Smith pushed his Skater Power Boat to 161 mph for an overall second-place showing and first in his class. The overall third-place performance went to driver Don London who topped out at 152 mph.

Dozens of safety boats, headed by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of the Interior, worked with helicopter pilots to ensure that recreational boaters did not cross into the marked course

Sunday the lake shone with crystal clear blue waters under a beautiful sunny day and perfect desert conditions. OSS Vee Lite team Under Destruction with Mark Dunbar and Jenni Sessor took their first win here after competing in the season opener at Biloxi, Ms. The excitement was ramped up with a collision between OSS Cat 850s WHM and Celerity Investments, taking Steve Page and Joey Gratton out of the race. Amsoil's Bob Teague and Paul Whittier won in OSS Cat Lite with Peppers Racing of Indianapolis coming in second.

Dozens of safety boats, headed by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of the Interior, worked with helicopter pilots to ensure that recreational boaters did not cross into the marked course. Thanks are due to The U.S. Coast Guard, The San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office, and all law enforcement agencies involved.

OSS Race Operations Director John Brunner said" I would like to extend special appreciation to Lt. Douglas Whittaker and Sgt. Dan Gutierrez of the City of Lake Havasu Police Department for working with me in making the weekend a safe and successful event".

-credit: oss