JBS Racing OSO Miami Race Press Release......
Here's a shot of JBS on their last lap. Coming out of the turn about 200 yds before the start/finish line. Easy to see what is getting ready to happen.
It was great offshore water- made for better pix.
The set is here.
First, Team JBS Racing piloted by Jeff Stevenson Driver/Owner, Throttled by Joe Skrocki, and the entire JBS Crew, would like to apologize for our delayed response surrounding the APBA/SBI Miami Offshore Race. For those that are not aware; Team JBS Racing only had a half of a lap remaining to complete and win the race with a substantial lead over second place. Some even thought JBS Racing had won the race. Unfortunately this was not the case. Team JBS Racing made a TEAM decision to stop. This was due to the boat rapidly taking on water and resulting in the partial sinking of the boat. We did not crash unexpectedly. We never took a hit that did more damage than a previous wave and or lap. We never were in fear for our safety as all the events that took place were very calculated as a TEAM. We understood there would be many questions afterward from every angle. What we did count on was the rate at which they were going to be asked.*
Unlike any other offshore race team in the world, Team JBS Racing has some amazing resources that are unrivaled in Offshore Powerboat Racing. This is partly due to Unlimited Offshore Racing having no rules in place limiting the team's capabilities. JBS Racing has the unique opportunity of having an onboard data acquisition telemetry system. Turbine Marine, who built the engines and rigged the boat, are analyzing all vital parameters real-time as we are running and/or racing. Our crew was in various strategic points on the race course, one of them being from a high point where the complete course could be viewed. This allowed Team JBS Racing to have complete verbal communication with all of those points as well as with the boat at all times. It also allowed complete video to be recorded and monitored to insure the external elements of the boat were monitored at all times. This system allowed complete data communication as one person viewed the boat's parameters and another to interpret events. There are over 10 video recorders in very well placed areas in the boat recording vitals such as drive shafts, oil levels, and 360 degree views of the boat externally and internally.
To the point; There was a slight amount of cosmetic damage the boat sustained in the first 3 laps while Team JBS Racing took the lead and held it. In fact, the cosmetic damage was much less than it sustained in the Key West World Championships in November 2008. We then lowered the pace as every other race boat did in an attrition type of race condition. The damage did not increase at any alarming rate as the high power hi definition cameras were recording real-time at all points. The only exception was at one point during the race we agreed to pick the speed back up for data acquisition purposes ONLY. As in anything, but more true when speaking of racing, hind sight is 20/20. Our hind sight...We slowed in the corners too much to insure the win. As low as 40 mph at times around the corners to give the Super V’s more than extra room to complete their battle. This placed higher loads on the non-running surface where the effected area was located. The area was completely cosmetic until coming back toward shore and passing the start/finish line. At that point we got the first report that the area was now on the running surface. After slowing even further, there was still no water intrusion into the boat. Water intrusion occurred after start/finish line and took under 5 seconds from breach for the boat to fill with water. Jeff and Joe remained calm as both turbines were kept running as they are good water pumps. As the water level increased on the starboard side, the engine was shutdown manually and allowed to free spool to a complete stop. The port remained running and completely free of any water. Jeff shutdown the port side manually, as Joe was in the bilge manually pumping water and assessing the damage to both hull and engines. Jeff could feel the boat taking on more water and pulling too hard to continue running the port engine. The port engine also freely and completely spooled to a stop.
Safety patrol and David DiPetrillo, who we also consider a direct part of Team JBS Racing, were right there as well as multiple tow services. This is not the only time Team JBS has had experience preventing a boat from sinking, or recovering a boat off the bottom ourselves. At the 2005 Miami Offshore Race the JBS Racing Super-V sank to the point the drives were touching the bottom while Joe and Jeff were still in it. The circumstances could not have been more alike surrounding the tow companies. Fortunately, Joe and Jeff were able to jump on the boat owned and operated by the owner of Offshoreonly, Steve Schuble. Joe, using the tanks from the safety divers and working with Steve, had many failed attempts at righting the upside-down Super-V due to inadequate tow ropes and equipment. Many tow companies were surrounding the vessel like vultures. Jeff, as the owner of the Super-V, gave Schuble*the authority to broker a deal to get the boat back to the crane and out of the water at a set price. Many came and went as only one company agreed to a set price, and that IT WAS NOT A SALVAGE JOB though the races were long over at this point. During the race, the racing organization has a permit from the US Coast Guard and it becomes their territory. Team JBS Racing has been there and done that! The JBS Mystic was on the hot race course and was connected to a tow company vessel using JBS equipment that was connected by Joe. The tow company did not want the Mystic connected in the configuration that ultimately saved the boat from sinking completely. The tow company was convinced the JBS boat would sink them. Entering the cut, after serious progress had been made, the tow company wanted to let the boat sink and return later when there was less chance of sinking their own boat. They did not want the US Coast Guard involved stating, "They would roll the boat and sink everyone if they followed the well thought out plan JBS Racing had given". The USCG Captain agreed with the JBS Racing plan.*
To say the least, the deal from the towing company changed once the boat was on the trailer, citing circumstances labeling it a salvage. All issues surrounding the tow were addressed on shore with key witnesses present. The bill was paid in full by JBS Racing. The only reason being, Team JBS Racing, is not out of the 2009 National Championship Races yet!*
You know how Team JBS Racing rolls....Bigger, Better, Faster!
A special thanks to ALL the race teams present, as everyone came together and really made it happen for Team JBS Racing!
