Lake Rescue Shoot-Out Brings Fast Boats,
Fun Times to Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO.– Some of the nation's fastest boats will converge on Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks Aug. 25-27 for the 18th annual Lake Rescue Shoot-Out , the largest unsanctioned boat race in the Midwest.  In addition to identifying the fastest boat on the Lake, the event also raises funds for life-saving equipment for Lake-area fire protection districts including Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Sunrise Beach, Gravois and also the American Red Cross.
   
“The Lake Rescue Shoot-Out started in 1988 to establish who had the fastest boat at the Lake.  As the years have gone by it has become a much bigger event, and now Powerboat Magazine has rated our Shoot-Out as the number-three powerboat event in the world,” says Jeff Dorhauer, deputy fire chief of the Osage Beach Fire Protection District.  “It's such a great event for participants and spectators.  Best of all, it raises money to make boating safer and help save lives here at the Lake.”
   
Boats measuring at least 22 feet in length are eligible to participate in the Lake Rescue Shoot-Out. Competitions are held in a total of 52 boat classes based on length, hull design, motors and bow type.  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.  Last year, 98 competitors raced and the winner was Callan Marine of Daytona, Florida, which also took top gun honors in 2004.  The winning time was 201 mph.
   
The Shoot-Out will run from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Winners will be announced at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.  New this year, all drivers and their guests will be treated to a free dinner at Shady Gators at 7:00 p.m. Friday.  In addition, the exciting PWC races will be held 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday.  All races will take place between mile markers 20 and 22 on the Lake. Boats will run in front of Shooters 21 Restaurant, located off Hwy. 54 and Lake Road 54-56.
   
A Lake of the Ozarks first will occur during the Shoot-Out, Dorhauer says.  A Navy F-18E Super Hornet squadron will do a fly-over during the singing of the National Anthem at 10:00 a.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. Sunday. “This has never before happened at the Lake,” he says.  “It's the same squadron that does fly-overs for the World Series and other major events.”
   
The second annual Lake Rescue Shoot-Out Poker Fun Run will take place 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday. Participants will try to build a winning Five Card Stud poker hand with cards they will pick up at Shooters 21, Franky & Louie's, Backwater Jack's, Bambooze, Halfway Inn, Shady Gators and Smoked on the Water.  Cash prizes will be awarded for the top four hands and the worst hand. Registration will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Shooters 21.  A Poker Fun Run breakfast will be held 8:00-10:00 a.m. Friday, and a dinner with silent auction and prizes from 5:00-11:00 p.m.
   
In addition to the fastest boat, the Shoot-Out also will provide the opportunity to name the Lake's loudest boat.  From 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Shooters 21 dock, boat owners can participate in the Stereo Sound System Shoot-Out to measure the quality and volume of their boat's sound systems and win a variety of sound equipment prizes.  As with all the other events, the proceeds will benefit Lake-area fire and rescue efforts.
   
Visitors also will have a chance to see the latest in power and other boat equipment at the Boat Products Show, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday.
   
Sponsors of the 2006 Lake Rescue Shoot-Out will be Budweiser, Powerboat Magazine, Velocity Powerboats, Epic Audio, KRMS Radio, Shooters 21, Charter Communications, Tan-Tar-A Resort, Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association and Convention & Visitor Bureau, and Hawaiian Tropic.
   
“We work hard to make the Shoot-Out better every year and to make it a fun and safe event,” Dorhauer says.  “Thanks to the great support we get from competitors, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and spectators, it is now one of the Lake's most popular events. Most importantly, it benefits everyone who enjoys water recreation at the Lake of the Ozarks.”
   
For more information about the Lake Rescue Shoot-Out, call 573-348-1221 or visit the event web site at www.lakeshootout.com . And for more information about lodging, dining, attractions, events and more, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE or visit www.funlake.com .

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