June 12, 1996
Now billed as "The Fountain Powerboats Offshore Series" the seven-race 1996 nationwide tour will include stops in Galveston, Texas; Fort Myers, Florida; Sarasota, Florida; Kent Narrows, Maryland; Palm Beach, Florida; Ventura, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Discussions held between the two organizations on the future direction of the sport are encouraging and exciting.
Prime Sports' network of affiliates has agreed to cover and broadcast the races nationally. This is an exciting development in many respects for the sport, and will bring Offshore Powerboat Racing to the entire nation and fourteen foreign countries.
Fred Hauenstein, President of APBA, is delighted over the new union and express his congratulations to both Reggie and Don for their vision in bringing the two parties together. Don Jones stated "the ORC looks forward to working with Reggie and Fountain Powerboats, the world leader in hi-performance powerboats, as the goals for growth and professional racing are high priorities for both organizations".
Fountain, a 30-year racing veteran who will compete throughout the season in a 47' triple engine boat of his own make, ranks among the favorites to win this years Offshore National Championship.
Fountain currently holds the Offshore V-bottom kilo speed record at 131.94 mph. Furthermore, no V-Bottom boat builder other than Fountain has finished first overall at any APBA Nationally sanctioned offshore race in the decade of the '90s,
Since starting his boat company in 1979, Fountain has used offshore racing as a cornerstone for both marketing, and research and development. The decision to sponsor this year's tour was a natural. "Because we race with the same V-bottom hull designs we sell to our customers, offshore racing has become the ultimate proving grounds for our company," said Fountain. "If you can build boats that win offshore races at 130 and 140 mph, just imagine how they will handle at even fast cruising speeds of 70, 80 or even 90 mph."
"Additionally, when we win on the race course, it backs up our claim that Fountain builds the fastest. smoothest, safest and best handling boats in the world. We have an important message to tell performance-minded boaters and sponsoring this year's offshore racing tour is an excellennt way to help get that message across".
With projected sales this year in excess of $45 million, Fountain ranks among the premier high performance boat builders in the world today. The just introduced 1997 Fountain sportboat line includes models from 24 to 47 feet. Additionally, Fountain manufacturers outboard and stern drive powered fishing boats along with a complete line of sport cruisers. By year's end, Fountain will also offer a complete line of high performance motor yachts featuring a revolutionary drive train propulsion system, of its own make.
Back to the Offshore Powerboat Racing Homepage