Last weekend was incredible for both Offshore Powerboat Racing and RonRipple.com. It was the Offshore Super Series’ National Championships, so this past Thursday I loaded the cooler with a few cases of beer and headed to good ol Lake Ozark, Missouri.
I was so excited to see my new race team out there representing my website as well as the best sport in the world… NASCAR. I couldn’t wait to see my boat out on the water and watch MY team “Ron Ripple Racing”… (sounds good doesn’t it?) prepare for Sunday’s big race.
So I rolled in on Thursday evening at Lake Ozark, MO, checked into my hotel, and headed to the bar where I met up with my new team and competitors. Thursday night seemed to be the night where all the teams, drivers and fan’s met at the local bar and threw down as many beers as they could. Offshore Racing has their fair share of drinkers but they don’t call me Beer Drinking Ron Ripple for nothing… I showed the boys how it’s done!!!!
Thursday and Friday the teams started rolling in with their semi tractor trailers and equipment. Friday was a day of rest… a.k.a…. a day to nurse my hangover.
Before I go any further I want to thank all of the teams and fans for welcoming me with open arms and with a cold fresh beer as I entered into the pits. Steve Page (driver) and Joey Gratton (throttleman) of the Ron Ripple Race Team were incredible and instantly made me feel at home. The fans and spectators of Lake Ozark are huge race fans and I enjoyed meeting all of you!
Ok… back to my weekend! So Friday was a day of nursing my hangover and socializing with the teams. I met so many incredible people this past weekend… the rumors are true… Offshore racing is like one big family. I’m glad I am officially a part of it.
Saturday was the start of the horse power and rooster tails!!! (A Rooster Tail is the water that shoots out the back of the boat when a boat is hauling ass) My team worked on preparing the boat for Sunday’s race and made a number of laps around the course testing propellers and set ups. After timing the competiting it looked like we were the fastest so it was a great feeling going into Sunday’s race.
Take a look below at a photo my new buddy Pete Boden was able to grab as the Ron Ripple boat was screaming at 140mph down the lake during testing on Saturday!!
(unfortunately Pete Boden Does not have a website to show off his other photos)
Sunday finally came, and I woke up with butterflies in my stomach and had a bad case of what I liked to call my own ”Rooster Tails.” There were thousands and thousands of spectators and fans that lined the course… I was shocked as to how many race fans were out… I figured everyone would be at the NASCAR race which was only 3 hours away in Kansas City.
It was finally race day… and the day started with 5 different classes of racing which lead to the biggest race of the day (The Ron Ripple Team Debut). I was vibrating with anticipation and in order to control myself like I do for NASCAR racing, I shotgunned 2 quick beers which calmed my nerves.
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