FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO PUBLIC:

Washington, North Carolina, August 7, 2007: VELOCITY Powerboats, division of Initial Marine Corporation, announced today that a 2005 VELOCITY VR1 was crowned the “fastest factory stock single engine V-bottom boat” in the world.  

Bob Spitulski, from Chuluota, Florida and Steve Kildahl, from Sarasota drove their new F1-56 VELOCITY hull, propelled by a single Mercury 525 EFI engine, Bravo XR drive and Sportsmaster lower teamed with a Hydromotive 4-blade prop to a sizzling 86.771 miles per hour on the Pamlico River course.

“Scott Free,” the VELOCITY entry in the Washington, NC, APBA/SBI race had a calculated detour from the Sunday Factory I race to be an entry in the kilo runs on Saturday. Unlike other special kilo-prepared-boats, the VELOCITY factory I entry was set up for the regulated F1/A Class Sunday race.

Steve Stepp, President of VELOCITY Powerboats stated, “We really showed the potential of the VR1 today.” He continued, “this boat is not only prepared for the riggers of the grueling 70+ mile F1 race coarse on Sunday, but it’s just like one you can buy from any VELOCITY dealer’s showroom...that’s the beauty of this class.”

The winning kilo world record speed was, 86.771 mph breaking VELOCITY’s 2002 World Kilo Record of 83.90. The new victory came almost 3 years later, to the date, with some obstacles to overcome.   The Washington, NC event was a combined event between the two sanctioning bodies of the American Power Boat Association and Super Boat International. Sanctioning of the kilo top speed event was claimed as an APBA event but the choice of scales went to SBI. To comply with the minimum operational weight of the SBI scale, 200 pounds had to be added to the 2005 VELOCITY VR1. Steve Stepp stated, “We actually saw faster speeds in practice but for the unity of the sport we gladly added the required weight and complied with the SBI conditions. Bob Spitulski noted, “It’s a newer hull, we added the 525 and a lot of testing into the boat. We knew it was going to be much faster, and that, added to the cooler weather here in North Carolina helped us win. We’re happy for Velocity.”

Initially the kilo top speed event was set to run on Friday but rain and winds of the passing tropical storm were two much for a safe run.   Saturday presented a much different day. With uncharacteristic 50% humidly and temperatures in the high 60’s, the 9:30 AM 6-12 inch chop was right for the challenge. What wind there was came from the east and a few bumps presented themselves at the end of the course. The VR1 made a down and back run with the final 86.771 top speed being the average of the two runs.

The VELOCITY VR1 is built by Initial Marine Corporation of Sanford, Florida. The hull design not only is available from any VELOCITY dealer but is the basis for the new VELOCITY 290 SC- which offers more cabin head room and sport cruiser accouterments.

Initial Marine Corporation’s President, Steve Stepp, is a veteran boat racer who began his racing career 46 years ago. VELOCITY Powerboats builds models from 22 to 41 feet in length. All VELOCITY hulls hold world race winning records and speed is built into each boat.