Bob Carter Sidelined By Back Injury

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: May 17, 2002 Source: The Florida Keys & Key West Submitted By: jmw BACKSTREET BOY SET FOR HOMETOWN OFFSHORE RACING DEBUT MAY 17-19 AT MARATHON GRAND PRIX MARATHON, Florida Keys -- Fresh from a win in Daytona Beach, Fla., teen heartthrob Nick Carter, of the Backstreet Boys, brings his Nick Carter Racing Super Vee boat to the Florida Keys for the APBA Marathon Offshore Grand Prix set for Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19. Carter, 22, is campaigning a 43-foot offshore racing powerboat, with two 750-horsepower engines, in the American Power Boat Association's 2002 circuit. Carter, his parents and brother Aaron, who reside in Marathon, were introduced to high-speed offshore powerboat racing during last November's Offshore World Championships in Key West. Carter has recruited Lee Murray, an experienced Key West racer regarded for aggressive racing tactics, to be the boat's throttleman. Originally Carter's father Bob was to have driven, but the elder Carter says a back injury is keeping him from racing the boat. In Daytona Beach, Steven Oropeza was the boat's driver, while Murray remained at the throttles. Both are slated to run the boat in Marathon. Keys offshore powerboat race producer Lee Mills said he is ecstatic with the Carters' involvement in the sport. "We're thrilled to have the Carter family as part of the APBA Pro Circuit," he said, adding that he anticipates the APBA Marathon event will attract 85 boats. Prime viewing area is to be from the old Seven Mile Bridge, where spectators should be able to view entire five-mile course in a venue that Mills has dubbed "stadium-style racing." Offshore racing is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with races beginning at noon and 2 p.m. each day. Race headquarters is to be established at Hawk?s Cay Resort, while the wet pits are to be situated at Blackfin Resort. Florida Keys Marathon Airport is to serve as dry pits. A one-day race viewing pass on the bridge costs $15, a two-day ticket runs $25. A combination pass providing viewing and access to the race village costs $40 per person. A special VIP viewing area providing lunch buffet, race poster and a chance to encounter Nick and Aaron Carter cost $100 for one day and $150 for two days. APBA Offshore has teamed up with Ticketmaster, the world's largest online ticketing resource, to provide convenient venues to purchase admissions to the Marathon event. Tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Ricky's Records, Spec's Music and select F.Y.E. Stores, and numerous other Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at (305) 358-5885 in Miami-Dade County; (954) 523-3309 in Broward; (561) 966-3309 in Palm Beach; (941) 334-3309 in Fort Myers; (813) 287-8844 in Tampa; (904) 353-3309 in north Florida and (407) 839-3900 in central Florida. Or go to www.ticketmaster.com and search "Marathon OS Grand Prix" For more information peruse the APBA Web site at www.apbaoffshore.com. For additional accommodations details, call 1-800-FLA-KEYS. Comment on this item. Next Item: Krystal, Pollyanna & Special Guest-Volunteer Teens Concert Prev Item: Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter seeks his team's second win