Key West World Finals Crash- Big Thunder Marine

[Jeff Wohlt]

It was a unique set up...I have some shots of it and rear end from just 2 motnhs ago during the shoot out while the did the parade.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Here are a couple...more to come

[LarrysDrifter]

Very unfortunate. Death is always bad news. Jeff, what is the black boat?

[tiqueman]

Looks like the corvette MTI boat?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/chevrolet-corvette-turns-speedboat-1-7-million-price-163902457.html

[Flying Scotsman]

Donald Campbell, enough said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6a--7mYpbQ

Douggie

[Rumdog]

It isnt that sad from my point of view. Everyone dies. These guys died doing what they probably loved most. They knew the risks, and that is part of the thrill.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Pretty cold, Rumdog, but I know what you mean. These guys were just about to start Big Thunder marine over that Bob sold several years ago. Yes they both loved it but certainly did not want to die doing it...who would?
Yes that is the Corvette MTI...she is slicker than just about any boat out there. you can go to my you tube channel and see BT run and I have some on the offshore races at jwohlt5362 channel.

[jj2003]

Donald Campbell, enough said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6a--7mYpbQ

Douggie

I was just 21 when I seen this on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Used to watch that show every saturday and sunday. Craig Arfons with a bit of a story line to it.

[Rumdog]

It's kinda hard to say what one would actually want to die doing. I have a hard time feeling bad for people who die while doing VERY high risk things. I take quite a few risks in my life myself, and I know that thrills can have consequences. I'm sure they did too.

Any type of racing, and most "extreme" core sports come with high risk. You only participate if you're willing to risk. Especially if you want to be your best. The reason these type of sports have so many spectators is because people like to watch others risk their lives and do awe inspiring things.

[jj2003]

It's funny. Things we do for a living we sometimes don't think about them being risky. I work under cars mostly all day repairing them, working with torches, repairing "no brakes" issue's, leaking gas tanks and other car related problems and I just don't think of them being high risk because I've done them nearly every day for the last 25 years. It has become an afterthought of the possible consequences involved. I just wish it was thought of as "awe inspiring"
Maybe I'd get better pay!

[Jeff Wohlt]

Anything you love to do in motorsports is a risk. I guess it is bound to happen to some. The only issue this cat ever saw was a roll over at about 80mph after a hook and nothing bad came of it. As I said...it was not a modern boat like many today. She was a big and wide. I think skater made it for Bob. The other Thunder boat is a bit smaller. I know his son and him were very close but that IS racing. You get too comfortable at doing this stuff and then surprise. They were both lake icons but Bob was one in a million... Bob is really who inspired the Lake Ozark ShootOut. All money went to get more rescure equipment for the water evacs for the fire department. I suspect many of the nations racers will come attend his funeral. There will be some big tributes at next Shootout I can assure you and I will be there to film it.

[tomstoys2]

What the hell! Looks like we lost another brave sole yesterday. 38' Skater of Page Motorsports!

MIAMI (AP) — A third offshore powerboat racer has died after racing at the Key West World Championship.
Roderick Cox, a spokesman for Super Boat International, confirmed Saturday that Joey Gratton, of Sarasota, Fla., died at Ryder Trauma Center in Miami.
He and teammate Stephen Page, the owners and driver of Page Motorsports, rolled over during the final lap of Friday's race.
Officials said Page, of Fort Myers, Fla., was admitted to Lower Keys Medical Center in good condition. Page has since been released from the hospital.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/news/artic...#ixzz1dVuUiQEH

[tomstoys2]

Looks like it was just a freek rollover, not uncomon. No details as to how he died. Very sad year for motorsports.
Tom

[Jeff Wohlt]

Very sad. I heard he was in bad shape but they never said any more. When it comes to world championships they push it hard....winds were too much for many. Randy was also running throttle in one of his MTI (CMS) and said he totally re-set his boat for the wind after he saw Morgans crash. Very tough series this year. We did not do the offshore races at the lake this year but there is talk of bringing them back.

Here is some older offshore...you can see bob and how he runs direct drive on the thunder

http://youtu.be/C0ldwrsSgFk

[Jeff Wohlt]

Great vid of Big of Big Thunder at the lake

http://youtu.be/ZxJGUja-Lwc