For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
September 8, 2009 Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbmg.net
Offshore Super Series Race Offers Non-Stop FREE
Fun at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. –Organizers of the third annual Lake of the Ozarks Offshore Super Series National Championship Race, Sept. 25-27 at the Lake of the Ozarks, announce all the activities associated with this exciting event--the largest single event at the Lake--will be free this year. In addition to the thrill of watching sleek powerboats hurtling through the water at speeds up to 185 mph or more, visitors will enjoy a full schedule of free, non-stop racing action, entertainment and fun.
“There is nothing else like seeing the fastest boats in the world competing head-to-head for the national title. It’s like NASCAR on the open water,” says Merlyn Vandervort, owner of the Lake’s OSS headquarters, the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex. “The Offshore Super Series National Championship Race is without question the biggest event to ever come to the Lake of the Ozarks.”
About 26,000 spectators—more than half from outside Missouri--viewed the action last year and at least that many are expected this year. Organizers say the event had an estimated impact of $4.5 million on the local economy.
The race course will begin and end near the Horny Toad and Shady Gators Bar & Grill, near the 7 mile marker. Testing will occur 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 3:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday, and the races will take place 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Spectators will have a good view anywhere between the 6 and 9 mile markers, by land or water. Those who prefer to watch the racers at full throttle may wish to observe the action from the straightaways. Those who prefer to see precision driving will want to find a vantage point near the course’s nine turns.
Spectators who will want an up-close look the boats will find plenty to see at the Race Village on Bittersweet Road, open 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here visitors can mingle with the drivers and their crew, get autographs and photos, see the amazing boats and purchase team-approved racing gear.
Other activities will include a Pre-Race Party, 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Horny Toad Tiki Bar and a Meet the Racers & Sponsor Appreciation Party for racers, VIPs and sponsors, 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Resort & Yacht Club at Toad Cove. Music will fill the air all weekend at the Horny Toad and Shady Gators; highlights will be the amazing Beatles tribute band Liverpool at the Horny Toad Amphitheater, 8:20 p.m. Friday and a concert by the legendary Rick Derringer at the Horny Toad Amphitheatre at 9:00 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday the Winner’s Circle Awards Ceremony will take place at the Horny Toad Amphitheater from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
The heart of the event, however, will be the races themselves. The event will feature about 35 boats in nine OSS classes and five Pro-Am classes literally flying over a nearly six-mile course between the six and nine mile markers. Racers will run up to 16 laps depending on the boat class. New this year, the bows of the race boats will be painted in different colors to help fans identify boats competing in different classes in the same race.
Racers have been competing for points in approximately ten competitions throughout the year, leading up to these national finals where they compete for points and prize money and also to be recognized as the best in their classes.
Among area lodging venues offering special rates for the event will be the Resort & Yacht Club at Toad Cove, The Lodge of Four Seasons, The Resort at Port Arrowhead, Lake Ozark Vacations/PMG and Baymont Inn. Free shuttles will transport guests from the host hotels and parking lots to race events.
Major sponsors will include the Horny Toad, Shady Gator’s, Pepsi,Classic Cool Hits 102.7, Mix 92.7, Charter Media, ABC-17, Lake Media, Lake of the Ozarks Profile Magazine, Relocating to the Lake, Ozark Village Docks, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Tri-County Lodging Association and Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau.
To find out more about the Offshore Super Series Races, please visit www.ossnationals.com. And for information about lodging, dining, shopping, attractions and events throughout the Lake area, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or online at www.funlake.com.
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