ChicagoPoker Run 2007

Chicago Poker RunEast Chicago Marina

Resorts CasinoEast Chicago, IndianaJuly 20-21, 2007

www.chicagopokerrun.com

EXTREME BOATS MAGAZINE | EVENTS

Chicago

Crossing the Lake!This 46’ Cigarette Rough Rider makes its way across Lake Michigan on a perfect day!

Boaters who like it R-O-U-G-H can brag about the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, or being caught in the wind against the Gulf Stream,

but as veteran boaters from the Great Lakes will testify, you ain’t seen nothin’ until you’ve boated on Lake Michigan...

Welcome to the Chicago Poker Run, 2007!

Rick Mackie (Mercury Racing) and Reggie Fountain chatting about .... engines?

EXTREME RACING | CHICAGO POKER RUN

rough ride’n on lake michigan

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STORY MARILYN DEMARTINI PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL KEMIEL PHOTOGRAPHICS • BOB PASCHKE • NATHAN SCHROCK

EBM | EVENTSEXTREME RACING | CHICAGO POKER RUN

Chicago Poker RunEast Chicago

Marinais headquarters

for the event, which attracted

boaters from as far away as

Texas.

THE WINDY CITY | After extremely rough waters, chilling winds and rain last year, the Chicago Powerboat Club figured it was in for some better luck this year. Last year’s weather did not diminish the enthusiasm or enjoyment of the event—this hearty crew doesn’t run from some white caps.

This year’s fleet topped last year’s for size and range of boats attending. From Ronnie Lewis’ 25’ Baja and perennial CPC volunteers, Keith and Marcy Shafer’s 29’ Powerquest, to Jim Lee’s 46’ Skater, US-1 Freedom, and Nick Fratt’s 47’ Outerlimits, Rocket Man, the boats were impressive, including MTI’s, Sonics, Skaters, Sunsations, Velocity’s, Formulas and of course, PLENTY of Fountains.

This is Shogren Performance Marine territory, and Scott Shogren was out in full force, with Reggie on hand to glad hand with all his customers—and potential ones--the persona behind the brand. Shogren recently purchased the

notorious “Cat Killer” and planned to run it with Fountain president, David Knight, but transmission problems landed it back on a trailer. Brett Furshman showed up with his Miccosukee-sponsored race boat and the bright green machine, despite its own mechanical difficulties, put on a good show for the helicopter photographers. In the sea of other Shogren, or Shogren-sold 42’s, to some other boaters, it must have felt like swimming in a school of Fountains.

As the docks at the East Chicago Marina filled up with a colorful array of assorted power, friends leisurely reconnected and shared stories of their last rendezvous. The recurring theme at the Chicago Poker Run is down-home, Midwestern hospitality. Everyone is there for a good time and a good cause and the kids at Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital are the reason for this run. The heart-rending stories came later in the evening, but sponsors like

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EBM | EVENTSEXTREME BOATS MAGAZINE | EVENTS

Ken Janik of Sun Aero Helicopters, live the stories. Janik’s young daughter has been at Children’s Memorial for 3 ½ years of her young life, fighting brain cancer, and all those lucky enough to be out on this sunny, warm day at the Casino Resort, were reminded of their good fortune and happy to lend support.

Even those who couldn’t make it, like Steve Schubel of Offshoreonly.com, a big supporter of the Club, sent warm, apologetic wishes and a proxy, Tim Gallagher of Cigarette Racing Team, who came to run the Pier 57-sponsored Offshoreonly Top Gun.

With other sponsors like Mercury Racing, CMI, Myco Trailers, Livorsi Marine, Ilmor and Bio-Kleen Products, the finest of the market was in attendance. Bullock Marine made its Skater presence known and Mark Miller of Grand Sport Marine, the local Cigarette and Baja dealer, brought a number of clients to the docks as well. Ateco Marine from nearby Waukegan, IL, was also in the mix with Dazzlement, his 38’ Scarab, as was Brad Zastrow in the Ateco-powered MTI race boat he and Larry Goldman of Extreme Marine converted into a “pleasure cruiser” for last year’s run. This boat, recently reviewed in EBM, is a stellar example of how talented men can make a “project” boat into the homecoming queen!

Michael Craig’s new 44’ Red Bull-slugging, cartoon-clad, Hammertime, was the latest MTI showpiece and Craig’s whole crew from Grand Lake, Oklahoma E-Dock were on hand to add big boat and big rig spectacle to the event. Chris DeLoache’s 43’ Nor-Tech cat OU Want Some? and Bruce Bullock headed the crew of seven boats who made the trek including Brandon Lee’s 36’ Skater and the 44’ MTI, Spine Tingler.

Baja brought its new Poker Run-themed 35’ Outlaw, Lucky 7’s, complete with International® CXT rig. Formula’s Vic Spellberg was also on the dock with a smile, happy customers and a 382’ FASTech® with carbon fiber accents.

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Bringing Back the Passion to Performance Boating

Chicago Powerboat Club

Spine TinglerThis 44’ MTI

was a real crowd pleaser - and

was right at home on the open water.

to Performance Boating

Some unusual boats added local color to the impressive array of power. Jeff and Jessica Zitzner brought Indecent Exposure, their stand-out, purple pride and joy, a self-restored 42’ Lightning. Long-time CPC member, Mark Boudos, had a cherry, 1985, 38’ Cigarette, complete with a wooden swim platform that just whispered “classic” as it went by.

Another “old school” looking boat, was Mike O’Brien’s new 41’ Chief (with Smoke on the Water’s Marc and Cherie Blondin aboard). Bill La Buda’s Apache and Mark Kingman’s 34’ Super Hawaii were other original hulls that brought back the nostalgic powerboat aura of yesterday. Those big, deep V hulls were probably the best equipped for what was ahead…

HEADING OUT | As the drivers’ meeting wrapped up and boaters looked out into the bright sun and white caps and felt the wind in their faces, they knew that they, and all their gorgeous equipment, were in for a beating on that day.

Since the immense size of Lake Michigan, one of the world’s largest fresh-water lakes, has an ocean feel, it is really no surprise to see boats disappear into “holes” as they slosh to and fro in this giant washing machine of sharp and unpredictable waves.

“At least in the ocean, you have rollers and you know which way the sea is going,” said Mike Livorsi as he drove the cameraman from spot to spot to catch boats launching off waves. “Here, the waves are coming from all directions—it is just crazy!” he laughed, keeping his 38’ Fountain running steadily as possible to ensure that there was video coverage of the event from the water as well as the air. Creative Television’s videographer held on to his camera and the boat for dear life and relished his first experience aboard go-fast boats in these conditions.

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Chicago Powerboat ClubEXTREME EVENTS | CHICAGO POKER RUN

Bringing Back the Passion to Performance Boating

I SAW IT IN ‘EXTREME’

Bringing Back the Passion to Performance Boating

Another Safe Event

The entire club is focused on producing a

safe event. They have followed

the Be-Safe guidelines for

the last 2 years.

Some boaters chose a more leisurely morning cruise, preserving their equipment for the beautiful afternoon Chicago city skyline portion of the run, so they started lunch early. Good food, upbeat conversation and music flowed on the sun-bathed docks, with the Resorts Casino in the background, beckoning players for the evening banquet.

The Chicago Powerboat Club knows how to throw a party and organizers Mark Smith, Steve Shay, Dan Vasta and Frank Holas keep people and action moving from day through the night. Smith led the way as pace boat in his 39’ Ocean Express, Chi-town Hustler, but his skills as a DJ and show-host carry the evening. This independent band of boaters obviously does this work for the love of the sport—and for the kids at Children’s Memorial. Anyone who has ever participated in the promotion of a Poker Run knows that is may be fun, but it is a LOT of work!

This year’s effort raised over $5,000 the special Chicago hospital, increasing the Club’s donations over the years to over $30,000. That generous out-pouring of money and horsepower, translates to some real people power! Congratulations to the Chicago Powerboat Club for another successful year! May 2008 grant you gentler winds, warm sun and the same great people to create another fine event. ebm

Bringing Back the Passion to Performance Boating

EXTREME EVENTS | CHICAGO POKER RUN

To find out more about the

visit cpc.clubexpress.comChicago Powerboat Club

Chicago PoweChicago Powerboat Clubrboat Club

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