May 20-23, 2010

The Mississippi Gulf Coast will be

SMOKIN’

 

May 14-23, 2010 the Mississippi Gulf Coast residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience the sheer power of two major racing events as a part of a two-weekend combination of Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake.

 

Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake will run consecutively with Smokin’ the Lake taking off first May 14-16 and Smokin’ the Sound the following weekend May 20-23. Both events will carry high powered and high-speed boats. Smokin’ the Sound will have the Offshore Super Series (OSS) powerboats clocking speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour in the Mississippi Sound and Smokin’ the Sound will carry drag-boats running with speeds topping 100 miles per hour in Gulfport Lake.

 

Promoters of the events are Woody Bailey, Rusty David and Asher Travis who have successfully brought powerboat racing to the Gulf Coast and look to have another successful event this year. “We started working with the Offshore Super Series in 2004 and have seen the event grow each year,” said Woody Bailey, Executive Director of the event. ”We did not hold an event in 2006 after Katrina but we brought it back in 2007 and look at this as another great year for this event.”

 

Offshore Super Series events have entertained audiences from Sunny Isles, FL to the Ozarks in Missouri with Smokin’ the Sound kicking off the 2009 schedule. Other events will have their work cut out for them following the Mississippi Gulf Coast event. Rusty David says, “We have been working to perfect our approach to how we can make this event the best on the schedule. We look to continually raise the bar with this event to keep our stature as one of the leading events on the circuit.”

 

With premium spectator viewing areas at the Isle Casino, Hard Rock Casino and the Beau Rivage Casino the public can watch the racing while enjoying the hospitality at each of these sponsor hotels and casinos. Duncan McKenzie, General Manager of the Hard Rock Casino said, “We look forward to another great event for the Gulf Coast. As this event has evolved we have seen more excitement from the local viewers and from our hotel guest. That is why we are involved with it as a major sponsor.”

 

This is the second year for Smokin’ the Lake with the competition on Gulfport Lake. The Dock Bar & Grill will be the host site with a racing village for the competitors and vendors. Fans will be able to view the boats and talk with boat owners to ask questions and get autographs. “John Dane III, owner of the Dock is looking forward to bringing this first year event to the Coast. “In building the Dock we have made a considerable investment for the Coast and this event gives us the opportunity highlight what we have been able to bring to the Coast post Katrina. Our facilities here is one of the best in the country and having Smokin’ the Lake is another way for us to get involved with the community to bring business to the Coast.

 

With Smokin the Lake being added to the event schedule Woody Bailey hopes to see an added bonus in the amount of economic impact for the Coast. “If Smokin’ the Sound is any indication of what we can do for the area, with Smokin’ the Lake, the Gulf Coast should see a considerable economic impact in room nights, food and entertainment and with the fuel consumed by these competitors. Smokin’ the Sound is important to the area due to the fact that it highlights natural resources such as the Gulf of Mexico and Gulfport Lake where each of these events will be staged. Given the past record of Woody Bailey Jr. with Crusin’ the Coast everyone should see a well run event that will present the Gulf Coast as a top racing area.

 

More information about Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake go to www.smokinthesound.com