'Thunder on Cocoa Beach 2014 May 14 through Sunday, May 18

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COCOA BEACH – The Thunder on Cocoa Beach boat races next month promises to be faster and and more furious than last year.

And if attendance levels grow to expectations, it also should be more lucrative for the local tourism industry.

Last year, organizers estimated the four-day event attracted 80,000 spectators and had a $16 million economic impact.

This year they think the spectator number for the off-shore super boat race should be in the 85,000 to 90,000 range with a corresponding economic uptick.

Activities for the race begin May 14 with a welcome VIP party, followed by a bikini contest and a street party in Port Canaveral's Cove area. The actual race is Sunday, May 18.

"We've seen a steady increase every year with this event," said Kerry Bartlett, Thunder on Cocoa Beach's race director.

Thunder on the Beach is part of the Super Boat International circuit, sort of like a NASCAR for high-speed, off-shore boats. The boats can be in the $1 million-plus range and they can go as fast as 200 mph.

Most of the races in the series occur in Florida. The season concludes in November with the 34th annual Key West World Championship.

The size of Thunder on Cocoa Beach isn't lost on local tourism officials.

"That always draws a huge crowd," Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director Rob Varley said. "A lot of the hoteliers will sell out that weekend."

Organizing the local race event isn't cheap. Bartlett said because it's not a ticketed event so he and other organizers lean heavily on corporate sponsors, and volunteers to cover expenses.

There are about 35 sponsors for this year's race and organizers still are looking for more.

A big sponsor this year is Ocean Potion, one of the sunscreen product lines made by the Cocoa-based Sun & Skin Care Research LLC. The race coincides with Ocean Potion's 25th anniversary.

"We're based here in Cocoa and Cocoa Beach and this is a great way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ocean Potion," said Valda Coryat, vice president of marketing at Sun & Skin Care Research. "We live, work and play here. What better way to celebrate our anniversary? What better brand to wear while riding the waves?"

The May 18 race begins at Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach with turns at Lori Wilson Park and the Cocoa Beach Pier. All three sites are good for spectators, Bartlett said.

And in case anyone thinks the super charged boats are a danger to marine life, Bartlett tried to downplay any fears.

"Super Boat International does more than any other organization as far as protecting wildlife like turtles and manatees," he said. "We actually have four, state-certified turtle/manatee watch people on staff — one in the air, two on boats and one on land. And then of course we'll have more than 80,000 spectators keeping an eye out for wildlife."

Contact Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com.

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http://thunderoncocoabeach.com/

The 5th Annual Thunder On Cocoa Beach Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix is on Sunday, May 18, 2014. Watch world famous race teams like Miss Geico, Instigator, WHM and Spirit of Qatar race through the waters of the Atlantic at speeds close to 200MPH. The first race starts at 12pm and the second race starts at 2pm. Race viewing is available beachside anywhere between the Cocoa Beach Pier and Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach. Premium race viewing is available with a VIP Ticket at your choice of three VIP Beach Cabana locations: the Cocoa Beach Pier, Shepard Park or Lori Wilson Park.

Details
Date: May 18, 2014Time:12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Venue
Beachside in Cocoa Beach
Phone:321-799-9444
Cocoa Beach, 32931

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Thunder On Cocoa Beach 2014 - Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix

The 2014 Thunder On Cocoa Beach Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix is rolling into Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral on Wednesday, May 14, 2014.

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BREVARD – Get ready to hear the roar of several dozen super boats, as they race one another along one of Florida’s most famous beaches.

On Wednesday, May 14 through Sunday, May 18, “Thunder on Cocoa Beach,” the Space Coast’s Super Boat Grand Prix, will storm the beaches of Port Canaveral to world famous Cocoa Beach, with a forecast of heavy excitement and high energy.

“Super Boat International’s John Carbonel brought a race here in 1991,” said Kerry Bartlett, race director. “After learning of that race, we set out to find out why they never came back.” Mr. Bartlett said he and his team were shocked to find out that no one asked the organization to return for another race; however, Mr. Bartlett was determined to bring a bit of the Super Boat Grand Prix back to Florida’s Space Coast. “So, we had our first race in August 2010,” he said. “We had 16 boats, and the racers absolutely loved our venue.” This year will mark the fifth race Space Coast Super Boat will host, with the hope of bringing many more in the future.

Beginning on Wednesday, May 14, tens of thousands of onlookers will flock to Brevard’s beaches for an extended weekend of fun and excitement. There will also be several opportunities for both VIPs and regular admission attendees to meet the different race teams participating in this year’s “Thunder on Cocoa Beach.”

“This is a great opportunity to see the boats up close,” Mr. Bartlett said. “People can take some pictures, meet the race teams and get their autographs. There will also be live music, vendors and a bikini contest on Saturday.” Boats will enter the water on Sunday, May 18, at noon for the first race of the day, with the second race following at 2 p.m. The race begins and ends at Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach, with turn No. 1 taking place at Lori Wilson Park and turn No. 2 at the Cocoa Beach Pier. “We usually have more than 30 boats, but we are expecting more this year,” Mr. Bartlett said. But, knowing how unpredictable Florida’s weather can be — especially this time of year — Mr. Bartlett and the rest of the Space Coast Super Boat team are confident that the weather will hold up just fine.

“As long as we can fly a helicopter, there will be a race,” Mr. Bartlett said. “We are fortunate that, in May, if it rains, it only does for 15 minutes or so.”

With tons of action and fun in the sun, “Thunder on Cocoa Beach” promises to be a great time for people of all ages.

“This event has had a great economic impact on Brevard County,” Mr. Bartlett said. “It fills the hotels with a lot of people, who are new to the area, and they get to see our great people and beaches.” “Thunder on Cocoa Beach” will take place on Wednesday, May 14 through Sunday, May 18 in Cocoa Beach. VIP passes may be purchased for the event. Premium VIP passes are $74.97; Super Saver VIP passes are $59.97; Sunday VIP passes are $24.97; and Kids VIP passes are $19.97. General admission on race day is free.

Thunder on Cocoa Beach' schedule of events:

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

6-8 p.m.: VIP, Media and Sponsor Reception at Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront. Invitation and VIP only.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

6-10 p.m.: High Octane Kick-Off Party at Java N Juice, downtown Cocoa Beach. Meet the race teams.

Friday, May 16, 2014

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Registration- Race Village, Flounder Drive

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Inspection, Race Village

9 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Power Boats and Race Teams in Dry Pits, Race Village, Flounder Drive.

11 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Press Credentials, Race Village

4 - 6 p.m.: Power Pre-Party, Hunker Down

6 - 10 p.m.: Thunder on Cocoa Beach Block Party, Meet the Racers

6 - 10 p.m.: VIP Party/Meet the Racers, Coconut's on the Beach, Cocoa Beach

Saturday, May 17, 2014

8:30 a.m.: Mandatory Drivers Meeting, Fishlips downstairs-610 Glen Cheek

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Power Boats and Race Teams in Dry Pits, Race Village, Flounder Drive

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Registration, Race Village

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Inspection, Race Village

Noon - 4 p.m.: Launching

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Wet Hot Pit's in the Water with VIP Viewing

Noon - 5 p.m.: Testing, as per SBIP rule book

Noon - 10 p.m.: Live Music , the Cove, Racer Village

7 p.m.: Miss Space Coast Super Bikini Contest, Racer Village

6 - 10 p.m.: VIP Party/Meet the Racers

Sunday, May 18, 2014

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.: Physicals, Fishlips downstairs

8:30 a.m.: Mandatory Drivers Meeting, Fishlips, downstairs

8 - 9 a.m.: Press Credentials, Race Village, Flounder Drive

9 a.m. - 4p.m.: Launching

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Power Boats in Dry Pits, Race Village, Flounder Drive

11:30 a.m.: Boats of First Race proceed to milling area, Cocoa Beach

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.: VIP Hospitality Tent at the Pier

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.: VIP Hospitality Tent at Lori Wilson Park, beachside

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.: VIP Hospitality Tent at Shepard Park, beachside

Noon p.m.: Start of First Race

1:30 p.m.: Boats of Second Race proceed to milling area

2 p.m.: Start of Second Race

3 - 6 p.m.: After Burner Party, Hilton Cocoa Beach

6 p.m.: Awards Presentation, The Cove, Port Canaveral, Milliken's Reef

All times and events are subject to change. For most up to date information, visit www.ThunderonCocoaBeach.com.

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If You Can’t Make It To Cocoa Beach … Watch It Here On Livestream!

http://new.livestream.com/sbi/cocoabeach2014

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COCOA BEACH --

Thousands of people are expected to descend on the beach in Brevard County this weekend — and it will be loud.

It's the 5th annual Thunder on Cocoa Beach, part of the Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix.

More than 35 powerboats racing at speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour right off the beach all weekend long.

Officials estimate some 80,000 people will visit to take in all the action, bringing in an estimated $16 million into the local area.

"They are fan friendly. You can get autographs, get up close, get pictures of the boats with the racers. Without the fans these guys don't exist, so we love the fan participation," says Kerry Bartlett, one of the event organizers.


There are multiple, pre-race events, which kicked off Wednesday night at the Cocoa Beach Hilton. You can purchase VIP Tickets on Thunder on Cocoa Beach's website here.


http://www.baynews9.com/content/news..._thunder_.html

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Deep Impact: Official Pace Boat of 2014 Races

DEEP IMPACT BOAT TO LEAD THE PACK IN COCOA BEACH 360 Open Set to be Pace Boat at Thunder at Cocoa Beach It is with great pride and pleasure that Deep Impact Boats announces involvement in the 2014Thunder at Cocoa Beach Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix. Super Boat International has a 35 year track record of success in powerboat event promotion, and the Space Coast event is experiencing solid growth. Deep Impact Boats is honored to partner with a nationally and internationally acclaimedcompany and, based on attendance and growth estimates, expects to reach an audience of well over 80,000. Deep Impact will participate in a variety of events over the weekend—guaranteeing maximum exposure to the proven high income demographic. Friday, May 16, Deep Impact’s Red 360 Open will be riding through the streets of Cocoa Beach in the SuperBoat Street Party and will later be displayed at the VIP Party at Coconuts on the Beach. We will also be displayed in the dry pits all day Saturday, May 17, including during the Miss Thunder on Cocoa Beach Bikini Contest. Sunday, May 18, we will receive supreme exposure as the event’s designated pace boat. Since our vessels are known for quickly reaching high speeds, Deep Impact’s 360 Open, equipped with quad Mercury Verado 300 engines, will lead the pack of racing boats as the races commence and be the first to reach the eyes of the thousands of spectators. Deep Impact’s 360 Open will then sit in the middle of the raceway with a diver on board, in order to ensure safety to all participants and bereadily available to help during any emergencies. We are ecstatic to play such a fundamental role in this event and cannot wait to see how it all unfolds.

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Course Map

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There are currently 29 boats expected to participate, if none break in testing. Snowy Mountain is not there running under their new rules and weight additions, so Superboat Vee should be an interesting race. Sunprint, Phantom 9, JD Byrider, Absolutely Not, and Scott Free will all be battling for the podium. Info says Mike of JD Byrider injured his shoulder so Trent will be in the boat with Frank. Will let you know if there are any additional updates.

Two of the Qatar boats are there, the Turbine boat is not ready to race yet. The Superboat Unlimited 613 has been repowered with 1650 Merc's. The Superboat 20 has also been repowered and is expected to be more competitive than last season.

Don't forget to watch the races at noon and 2:00 PM on Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/sbi/cocoabeach2014

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Water conditions are currently rough.....

[Ratickle]

Some excellent racing. Cat outboard was quite the attrition story, five started, one finished.....

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