NIGEL
HOOK
Team
Captain
Throttles
Racing
Track Record: —Reigning
World Champion (APBA/UIM) — Four time National Champion (APBA '98,
'97,'94, OPT `91) —World Speed Kilo Record Holder (APBA '93) —Seven
time Divisional Champion (APBA Western '90, '91, '92, 94', 97, 98, S.E.98)
—First offshore race in 1974 (UIM/Dawlish 100) —Racing in the
US since 1988 —Won races in US, Europe, Canada and Puerto Rico —Raced
the last eight years nationally and currently competes in every national
APBA race —Raced in Wellcraft Scarabs, Skaters, Fountains, Warlocks,
Mantas, Cougars, Conquests alike with engines from many different engine
builders.
Promotional Qualifications:
TeamNigel
is now in its fourth year of full sponsorship from CITGO. CITGO also sponsors
APBA with a significant contribution. Working closely with CITGO, Nigel
is able to leverage their knowledge and experience from NASCAR to help
turn offshore racing into a highly profitable sport.
Business Experience: MBA
Management, BSc Computer Science, Staffordshire University. Owner and
manager of DATASKILL,
an INC. 500 Company, specializing in e-business solutions integration,
with a client base covering the USA and Europe.
STEVE
DAVID
Driver
Steve David is the reigning World Record holder for the fastest race average (154, set in Pearl Harbor, 1993) and fastest lap ever recorded by a propeller-driven boat (166.236, in Pearl Harbor, 1992). Steve has won more races in more limited hydroplane classes than any living driver, with over 500 heat wins and 253 race wins. He's set 15 additional world speed-records, won 5 World Championships, National High Point Champion, and Divisional Champion. Deservedly, he has been inducted into the APBA Hall of Champions three times. Steve served as Senior Vice-President of the American Powerboat Association for 4 years and as President for 2 years from 1996 thru 1998. Not only does he hold the competition records for the biggest and most powerful of classes (the Unlimited Hydroplanes), in 1882 Steve also set and still holds the KILO record (102) for the smallest of inboard hydro classes – 850cc hydro. From the time he began racing at age 14, he has won in virtually every hydroplane class in the APBA. Steve is the founder and CEO of Florida Professional Real Estate, Inc., the largest independent real estate brokerage and management company in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
WIESE
Navigator
Around
offshore boat racing all his life, Tony learned at an early age what it
took to be a consistent winner. Skilled
in navigating long and short race courses as well as endurance runs,
he has successfully navigated throughout the U.S.
and the Bahamas. Tony has also helped plan and officiate many boat races
in two APBA racing categories — Offshore and OPC (outboard performance
craft) — chairing the very successful OPC race in 1992, "Lake
Houston Race Against Drugs", with assistance from the FBI. Tony owns
and operates two businesses: Anchor Personnel, a placement company specializing
in computer jobs, and Wiese Development, a real estate company for both
residential and commercial projects. A journalist and photographer for
16 years, Tony regularly contributes to Raceboat International magazine.
JOHNSON
Reserve Driver
In addition to his background in car racing, Jay brings to the team many aspects which have elevated our overall success. Jay is an executive officer of J.F. Shea, a $2.6 billion contruction company. He has instilled his corporate discipline in helping to run the logistics side of our racing. Jay joined the team in 1997 as a reserve Navigator and was promoted to full time driver for the 1998 season. During his Rookie Year as driver, Jay accumulated more accolades than the team has even won titles. His solid contributions and incredible quick learning skills propelled the team to eight checkered flags year and positioned Jay as a inductee into the prestigous ABPA Hall of Champions.
MELANIE
TAYLOR
Navigator/
Reserve Driver
Melanie has been racing Personal Wellcraft for 4 years and was just crowned the Champion in Pro-Am Women's Runabout in 3 different regions in Canada and the United States. New to our team this year, Melanie was a strong performer as she navigated the CITGO Supergard to a 2nd place win at the Offshore Challenge in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Her impressive racing track record includes two Canadian Pro-Am Championships ('98, '97), three Ontario Pro-Am Championships ('98, '97, '96), and two Region 8 Pro-Am Championships ('98, '97). A graduate of Wellcraft Offshore School, Melanie is a PWC Test rider for Hot Water Magazine and an account representative for Poker Runs America and Power Boating Canada Magazine.
GRANT
TEEPLE
Business Mgr/
Navigator/
New to offshore racing, Grant joined the team this year and garnered his wings flying the boat in the rough, turbulent waters off the coast of Ventura in September, 1998. The Ventura race had the CITGO Supergard Scarab, which is a B boat, matched against the top class, Super V. Racing against boats with twice the horsepower, Grant's competent navigation scored the team a half lap lead over the competition from the first turn. Grant, who is a partner in the law firm Gage, Frazier and Teeple, adds a legal dimension to the arrows in the quiver. With sponsors lining up to join our winning team, Grant's skills will no doubt be exercised fully.
MIKE
GURZI
Crew Chief/
Reserve Navigator
Big Mike, new to the CITGO Supergard racing team in 1998, has always been a long time fan of NASCAR and has been connected with motorsports and transportation for most of his career. Mike is responsible for ensuring the race boat gets to the races on time and in race shape — no small task! Critical to the team's winning performance, Mike's hard work and relentless pursuit of quality has been instrumental in our many victories at sea. Mike had the dubious pleasure of Navigating the CITGO Supergard race boat in the Islamorada Miller Lite Gold Cup in Atlantic seas off the Florida coast. Mike helped the team bring home another checkered flag!
JOE
BLACK
Original
Reserve
Driver
Owner
and driver of Citre Shine Super Stock 28' Skater
Meet Joe Black! Joe was introduced to Nigel by
long time friend Bruce Penhall and helped Nigel build the CITGO Supergard
Scarab in 1996. Joe and Nigel raced together in the previous year in Nigel's
scarab predecessor (Archer Marine Scarab). Racing the boat all over the
country and culminating with winning the International Cup in Puerto Rico,
Joe and Nigel formed a close bond.
Perhaps the best racing together was battling the racing legend, Fabio
Buzzi, in Key West at the World Championships in November of 1995. Although
taking second place to Fabio, the pair won his respect by being the closest
American boat of traditional design to challenge him. Fabio Buzzi was
racing with Argentinian Daniel Scioli in a boat of Fabio's own design
— RIB (Rigid-hull Inflatorable Boat) ideally suited to the mixed-up
waters off Key West, where the Gulf meets the Atlantic. Joe owns his own
race team sponsored by CITRE SHINE Shampoo and hair care products. The
CITRE SHINE boat is a 28' Skater Cataramaran with twin Mercury outboards
racing in APBA Super Stock class. Joe has invited Nigel to throttle this
boat in both divisional and national races in reserve for regular stick
man Richard Ginsberg. The CITRE SHINE race boat won the APBA National
Championsip fir the 1998 season. Joe is a milling contractor by trade
and in his spare time runs Timberline.