The organizers of the Great Texas (gt300.com) want to know if you are planning to come to the race this year? Drop us a line at greattexasinfo@gmail.com if you are thinking about coming.

(NOR will be coming out in February with race registration in March, however, we are interested to know who is thinking about coming now - so let us know and we will let you know with a list on our site - gt300.com - soon.)

We are not only looking for sailors, but also volunteers and people to help out with teams. If you want to attend, we can find a way for you to help out.

We are expecting this to be our biggest year ever as this is the 10th anniversary of the race!

The Great Texas is scheduled for June 13th to 16th. The race starts in South Padre and ends 300 miles later in Galveston. The race is run in four legs.

Winds are always good in June in Texas. Last year's winner averaged 20 mph over the course!

The race is open to anyone with a spin boat 18-22 feet long.

Hope to see you in South Padre in June!

Steve Piche
Public Relations, Great Texas

What are the dates?
Anyone want a Fat Boy for a crew?

You'll increase participation if you ban Tomko. Just kidding! He's definitely got a handle on it.

We're still in limbo as to if it will work out for us. I hope we can make it.Will probably need ground crew.

Tomko, who just schooled everyone at Tradewinds, is going to be tested this year. The competition should be pretty high. Not to let too much out of the bag, but John Casey is on his way with the new Nacra F-18 (Cirrus). Mike Krantz will be back with the F20c. Former winners Mike Rohrer and Chris Green will also be there. And I know this is scaring everyone, but second place finisher of last year's demolition derby, Steve Piche (yes, me), will be there on a brand new C2.

Dates are June 13-16. Due to big air, everyone wants fat boy crews.

Steve

We need to make a human sacrifice to the wind gods after what they did to us last year. We all want good wind but geezus, I hope it tones down just a little. Seriously, everyone who's just a little edgy because of the high wind stories, keep in mind that last year we had an EPIC drought in Texas and that was a huge contribution to the high winds on the coast. So far, our winter is looking to be a bit wetter. Beisdes, we're overdue for a lolypop ride.
Please don't make me be the only N20 this year.

I want to do it on the Viper.... (two up)
I was told I could. I don't know if funds will allow.



Let me know Lee, I'm always up for a good kidnapping/disappearing of some folk.

Karl, we have a spot for you if you can come join our team.
Low pay (none actualy), long hours (some drinking), poor living conditions (seriously!) and more fun than doin' a fat chick at closing time.

I immediately regret saying that last part.

What NO Turtle? Who's gonna fight with the telephone poles?

I've got the dates clear on my calendar, and my camera gear is all warmed up and ready...

Sweet, looks like we have you a driver too!

We may even have you a driver Jeremy. Todd, Turtle got married, rest his soul, and his wife won't let him come get stupid with us anymore, so now, hopefully we get Karl. David's dad is our team manager. He's done the Tybee's with us and at least 4 GT's so far.

I'm game. It'd be a great way to get a feel for things.

Can J stand long periods in a RIB with me?

Jose' the man. I reckon turtle needed a little reigning in.
Karl has NO idea what he's in for.

If he can't we'll never hear your side of the story.

I think J will be just fine. Like Todd says, "Karl has no idea what he's in for."

Karl, you're in for a treat. It will be a week of your life you'll never get back. Now, your verbal commitment is legally binding in Texas. You can't back out now or go to another team unless you have a good attorney...or a note from your mom.

****! Can you stand being in the RIB with me, Karl? That's the question.

Here's the scoop. I want to negotiate with several sponsors and the organizers to pay for a little media attention for the GT. My wife is a school teacher and has the time free, and my 5 year-old is bad butt, so the plan is, if we can negotiate something, I'll drive out with the family. Family vibe doesn't slow us down one bit, believe me.

So...talk amongst yourselves, figure out if my skills are worthy. I think the way it would work best is to photograph, update the event's FB, Twitter, web page when possible, and write a nightly report for publication wherever will take it. We could even do some promo videos with interviews. My skills in that area are developing, but I can pull something off and have all the gear.

Of course, if Rick and Mary want photos and a little write up for this place, I'd be happy to hook them up for the cat community support over the years.

I'll be in contact with Steve. As of right now, my calendar is open for those dates. The week after I have a Hobie event in CA, and the ACWS in RI.

Cheers!

And to prove that I have what it takes as far as being a long-haired hippie from Santa Cruz hanging in Texas, here's a pic of me, in Texas, with a cowboy hat on and drinking a bud. I think that I had a gun in the truck too. Cred!

Are you wearing a kilt/dress or gauchos?

A few comments on this thread:

If you want to sail a Viper, I am sure the race committee will let you in. If you want to sail a '72 Hobie 16 with a bed sheet as a spin, you probably aren't going to be let in. So, Karl, bring the Viper!

Jeremy, we look forward to having you at the race. Lee and I were trading emails about it last night. We're going to get it all figured out in the next couple of weeks and get you to SPI.

Todd, get off the fence and come play with us!

Steve