Short Term Pinch (STP)

[kim40]

Heavy heart here right now. I just got back from the Off Shore Power Boat Races in my little home town. They run these races all over the world, from Miami to New Jersey and everywhere in between. We have been so lucky for them to run in my little home town for the last 23 years. The last class of races had the Miss GEICO and American Ethanol CatCanDo racing neck and neck. I think it was only two laps in when the accident happened. Where I was sitting, you didn't even know an accident even happened until they announced that there was an accident. We seen the Miss GEICO boat come in and it was really damaged in the front right side of the boat. I never seen the other boat come in. They shut the races down, didn't tell anybody anything about the drivers. My husband and I went to one of the local bars and was talking to the bartenders, they told us the paramedics were doing chest compressions on one of the drivers from American Ethanol but didn't know what the outcome was.

I was down there on Friday and talking to the Miss GEICO driver who I have seen for years here at the races in my little home town. They haven't been here for the past few years and I was asking him about it. He said it has been four years since he has been here, because there boat had burned down. I am in total shock right now.

Before we left today, my husband said to me there was a fatality, they would not shut the races down like they did if there wasn't. I didn't believe him and when we got home I googled our local paper and oh my GOD there was a fatality. One of the drivers died.

I don't think it was any one from the Miss GEICO team, as from what people were saying about seeing the chest compressions being done on the drivers of the other boat. I am just so sick right now. GOD Bless them, all of them. My heart goes out to you and all your families!!!

I pasted a copy below of the article from our local paper about the accident. Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers!!



The St. Clair River Classic offshore powerboat races came to an abrupt stop Sunday after two powerboats collided, leading to one fatality.
The two boats involved in the crash were American Ethanol CatCanDo and Miss GEICO, both from the Extreme division, said St. Clair County Sheriff Marine Division Lt. Paul Reid. 
Reid could not confirm the name of the deceased racer though. Reid said the man was transported to St. John River District Hospital in East China Township where he was pronounced dead. 
Reid said other racers had minor injuries but were not transported to the hospital. 
St. Clair County Sheriff Sgt. Scott Jones said the crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Jones said the race was black-flagged, or cut short, following the accident.
Reid said the crash occurred in the north turn of the race, but does not yet know what led to the crash. Both boats were removed from the water and loaded on trailers to allow investigators to start analyzing the events. As of Sunday evening, investigators were interviewing boat drivers and taking photos of the involved vessels.

St. Clair Police Chief Rick Jefferson said the crash happened during one of the last races of the day. 
The incident is still under investigation.
Prior to the crash
Prior to the crash, the event was a family-friendly affair not just for local fair-goers, but for racers as well.
Many boats had father-son duos while there was one spousal team.
Jason Saris, 60, of New York, races a 32-foot Cobra powerboat with his son Johnny, 24. While Jason began racing in 1982, his son soon followed suit once he turned 16.
“It’s awesome racing with my son,” Jason said. “There are not too many parents that get to do that with their kid. It’s an activity that we can continue to do together even as he gets older…It gives us mutual respect for each other too. Everyone loves their family, but not too many are this hands-on and able to see what the other is able to accomplish so closely.”


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While Jason handles the throttle, his son drives the boat – an experience, Jason says, is all about focus, concentration and team work.
About 35 teams came to participate in the race hailing from across the country. Teams traveled in from New York, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, among others.
Frank Vecce, Offshore Powerboat Association official, said St. Clair Continues to be an excellent site to raise at and doesn’t have a bad seat in the house.
Noah Krug, 4, of Croswell, was most excited to see the Batman boat race by. He even brought his Batman sunglasses to show his support.
While he loves Batman, Noah said he does not like the bad guys that Batman fights.
Noah’s parents, Jeff and Robin, bring both of their kids to the powerboat races every year because they feel it is a good family activity.
“I like it because it’s fun and out of the norm and a once-a-year-thing that is different for them,” Robin said. “He just wanted to see the Batman boat.”
Joe Meglino, of New Jersey, races with two others on the Jersey Outlaw, a 29-foot Scarab powerboat. Meglino said they enjoy coming to St. Clair each year because the city welcomes the teams and crews like family.
“People are great and hospitable and always welcome us,” he said.
Jarrett Correll, 20, of Ohio, traveled up to St. Clair for the weekend to support two of the racing teams. He said he has been an avid supporter of the sport and was first intrigued by the races because of how fast and powerful the boats are.
Correll’s cousin, Andrew Somers, 36, of Marysville, was watching the races for the first time. He said he comes for the concerts the night before, but was enjoying the sport as well.
Contact Nicole Hayden at [phone] or [e-mail]. Follow her on Twitter @nicoleandpig.