A spectacle that draws tens of thousands to the Lake of the Ozarks every summer returns. The 23rd annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout features a week of high speeds, sunshine, parties and fun.
The largest unsanctioned boat race in the United States takes place Aug. 27-28, but Shootout festivities run for a week leading up to the 200 mph thrills.
Nauti Marine owner W. David Scott announced earlier this year that he would not seek a fourth consecutive Top Gun title, what would be his ninth crown. In 2010, Scott and throttleman John Tomlinson reached 208 mph, becoming the first team to break 200 mph in three years of racing at Captain Ron's.
"Breaking 200 was really my last personal goal with offshore boats," Scott said.
Scott says the plan to sit out the 2011 Shootout will allow him some time to relax, enjoy the event, and interact more with racing fans.
"It doesn't mean we're done, it doesn't mean we'll not come back and run the event later," Scott said. "We know the boat's got more in it, but at the same time I think overall I will be glad I went to enjoy myself."
Scott's boat will be one of several at the Shootout on the Strip street party, which takes place Wednesday, Aug. 24 on the Bagnell Dam strip. Many of the Shootout's most impressive racing machines will be on display from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The street party gives race fans a chance to get a close up look at the boats, meet the drivers and crews and soak up some of the Shootout fun.
Nauti Marine's mark of 208 mph is 1 mph shy of the all time Shootout record that Dave Callan and John Cosker set in Miss Longlite in 2006.
Scott's decision not to enter the Nauti Marine Mystic in the 2011 Shootout will allow someone else to win the overall Top Gun title at Captain Ron's for the first time. The team behind "the world's fastest pleasure boat," hopes a trip to Missouri will end with a silver cup.
Read more at http://www.lakenewsonline.com/news/x1852624716/Shootout-throttles-up-next-weekend
