Largest unsanctioned powerboat race in the nation returns to Lake of the Ozarks

American Ethanol team attempts to defend 2015 'Top Gun' title

In this August 2014 file photo, Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Poker Run participants register for the event at Backwater Jack's in Osage Beach.
In this August 2014 file photo, Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Poker Run participants register for the event at Backwater Jack's in Osage Beach.

Last year, American Ethanol was awarded an honor only the top powerboat racers in the world receive: "Top Gun" at the annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.

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Such a cloud as this might look foggy enough to clear out a restaurant. But the cigarette is an electronic gizmo that only simulates tobacco smoke. The haze is a nicotine-laced vapor that dissipates quickly. Controversy lingers.

American Ethanol's boat beat out about 100 boats with the "Top Gun" speed of 208 mph. The team plans to compete in the 28th annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout this weekend. They will challenge about 100 boats for top honors as they defend thier title along the set up race course.

Known as the largest unsanctioned powerboat race in the nation, the Shootout's main race event is Saturday through Sunday in front of Captain Ron's Bar and Grill in Sunrise Beach at the Lake. American Ethanol will attempt to defend their title and break the current Shootout speed record of 244 mph set in 2014 by the Spirit of Qatar, while some of the fastest offshore powerboats in the world take their turns racing against the clock and competing for the "Top Gun" honor.

According to a news release from Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau, the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, hailed as one of the "must-see" boating events in the nation by Powerboat Magazine, attracts more than 100,000 people from across the U.S. to witness this on-water racing event.

"I'm definitely excited for the races on Saturday and Sunday," said Ron Duggan, event coordinator and owner of Captain Ron's Bar and Grill, in the news release. "We have a really good field of competitors, with several past 'Top Guns' participating again this year, so it should be really fun and really competitive. The speeds these boats reach are truly impressive, and the crowd and atmosphere couldn't be any better."

The main activities start with personal water craft races at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by the official opening ceremonies and national anthem at 10 a.m. The powerboat races begin after the opening ceremonies and continue until 5 p.m. Pontoon drag races and aerial performances by Brian Correll Air Shows will also take place Saturday.

The public can also browse through a vendor village and racing village from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and enjoy live music from the i-Berrys from 7-11 p.m. and entertainment from DJ Kyle from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. following races Saturday.

Sunday's activities begin with races from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. More pontoon drag races and aerial acrobatics will take place, with the final powerboat races running from 2-3 p.m. The presentation of the 2016 "Top Gun" will take place during the awards ceremony at 4 p.m. The vendor and racing villages will also be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

According to Troop F Commanding Officer Capt. Michael A. Turner, boating traffic will be restricted to no wake, idle speed Saturday and Sunday from the 31.5-mile marker to 36-mile marker of the main channel. The no wake, idle speed restriction begins 30 minutes prior to the event start time and enforced 30 minutes after the last race Sunday. In addition, the no-wake zone will be extended to the 30-mile marker from 3-6 p.m. Saturday to help facilitate a safer environment on the lake as people leave the event, Turner said.

The race course itself stretches from approximately the 33-mile marker to the 34.7-mile marker on the southwest side of the main channel. Turner said there will be a 400-foot buffer zone between the race course and designated spectator area.

Over the years, the Shootout has also become one of the most successful fundraisers for the Lake of the Ozarks community. Last year, close to 700 volunteers worked more than 7,000 hours to ensure the success of the event's activities, which all bring in generous donations that go to 32 Lake Area charities, the news release said. In 2015, the Shootout donated $175,000 to local charities and Duggan has set his sights on raising $200,000 this year.

Additional Shootout activities

Numerous activities have taken place and are scheduled for Thursday and Friday leading up to the main racing events this weekend.

Those events include the eighth annual Shootout Benefit Golf Tournament, Shootout Lil' Boat and Pontoon Poker Run, seventh annual Mini-Shootout, Great Shootout Treasure Hunt, Shootout Volleyball Tournament, Shootout Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction, and Shootout on the Strip Meet and Greet.

Many of these events also helped raise money for the Lake Area charities and fire and rescue teams.

Today, performance boaters will give power boat rides to kids and their families dealing with serious illnesses and disabilities during the Wishing on a Ride event from noon-4 p.m. at Captain Ron's dock #3. Parents and siblings are invited to ride along and reservations are required.

Last year, the Lake of the Ozark Shootout donated $27,911 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with funding raised from a variety of sources, volunteer hours, the silent/live auction and direction donations from community partners and race participants.

For more information or to register, contact Tiffany Maasen at 573-368-1177 or [email protected].

Also on today, Performance Boat Center will present the Shootout Auction at the host's location at 1650 Yacht Club Drive in Osage Beach. The silent auction is 5-7 p.m. and live auction begins at 7 p.m.

Many auction items will be available including golf, dining, boats, docks, sports, gift cards, travel and others from contributors. Money raised from this event helps Lake Area charities, including several Lake of the Ozarks fire and rescue teams.

The event is open to the public and registration is 4-9 p.m. Overflow parking is available with shuttle service at the former Dogwood Hills Golf Resort on Route KK in Osage Beach.

PolyLift will present the annual Shootout Poker Run on Friday. Registration, breakfast and the event start begins at 8 a.m. at Franky and Louie's in Sunrise Beach.

Participants will receive one card per stop with a chance of up to nine best of five cards per entry fee. Stops include Franky and Louie's, Backwater jacks, Redhead Yacht Club, Old Kinderhook, Nauti-Fish Rum Bar, Larry's on the Lake, Paradise Restaurant and Bar, Big Dick's and Captain Ron's. The Poker Run awards presentation begins at 6 p.m. with live entertainment from The Cherry Pistols from 7-11 p.m. and DJ Kyle from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. following the ceremony.

Entry is $300. The captain/first mate entry fee includes one hand of poker, breakfast for two at Franky and Louie's, two shirts, one captain's bag, one Poker Run DVD and two BBQ dinners at Captain Ron's for the awards presentation. Additional hands and other items are available for purchase throughout the event.

For complete details on the 2016 Shootout, including parking and a full schedule of activities, visit www.LakeOfTheOzarksShootout.org.