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www.pokerrunsamerica.com THE LIFE OF JOHN BUYERSJOHN BUYERS TM ILMOR MARINE’S NEW 635-HP STERNDRIVE INSIDEINSIDE FIRST LOOK: FIRST LOOK: DONZI MARINE’S 39 VRZ MERCURY RACING CELEBRATES 50 YEARS CIGARETTE RACING’S NEW 52’ CENTER CONSOLE BEAUTY TICKFAW 200 IS BACK! OFFSHORE RACING FIREWORKS Cover 26-2.indd 1Cover 26-2.indd 12023-08-30 1:54 PM2023-08-30 1:54 PM19731980 Pioneers of Power Explore 50 years of innovation, milestones, and people that have helped create Wide Open. EST. 1973 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 2023-MR-PRA-AD-Insert-1.pdf 1 2/6/23 9:55 PMMercury DPS.indd 2Mercury DPS.indd 22023-02-14 4:44 PM2023-02-14 4:44 PM19731980 Pioneers of Power Explore 50 years of innovation, milestones, and people that have helped create Wide Open. EST. 1973 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 2023-MR-PRA-AD-Insert-1.pdf 1 2/6/23 9:55 PMMercury DPS.indd 3Mercury DPS.indd 32023-02-14 4:45 PM2023-02-14 4:45 PM4 POKER RUNS AMERICA | Volume 26 Number 2WWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM FEATURES 26 20 THE WISDOM OF JOHN BUYERS Whether it’s work, life or boating, John Buyers has it figured out. 26 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: MERCURY RACING’S 500R OUTBOARD Mercury Racing unleashed a new 500-hp monster to celebrate its 50th anniversary. 30 EDITOR’S CHOICE - DONZI IS BACK IN THE GAME The new 39 VRZ center console showcases Donzi Marine’s performance heritage. 36 DESERT STORM KEEPS ON SHINING Gary Smith’s historic 204-mph run in the shootout had the Desert Storm Poker Run buzzing. 42 RETURN OF THE STERNDRIVE Ilmor Marine has a new 630-hp sterndrive. Will boaters make the switch? 44 FIRST LOOK Cigarette Racing launches its new 52 Thunder center console. 48 TIME OUT WITH LEAH MARTIN Lake of the Ozarks Shotout Executive Director Leah Martin. 52 SUNNY SARASOTA The weather and racing made the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix the place to be. 6 PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE 12 FAST FACTS 10 THE BIG TICKET 51 MEET THE PLAYERS 58 POWER PLAY The Tickfaw 200 in Louisiana is back after a three-year hiatus. 62 2023 POKER RUN & RACE CALENDAR DEPARTMENTS pra vol. 26-2 CONTENTS contents 26-2.indd 4contents 26-2.indd 42023-08-29 4:17 PM2023-08-29 4:17 PM5 Volume 26 Number 2 | POKER RUNS AMERICAWWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM xx 52 42 30 There were plenty of fireworks at the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix as Powerboat P1 celebrated its 700th race in its 20-year history. 44 contents 26-2.indd 5contents 26-2.indd 52023-08-29 4:17 PM2023-08-29 4:17 PMBill Taylor PUBLISHERS NOTE 6 WWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COMWWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM VOLUME TWENTY SIX / NUMBER TWO PUBLISHER William E. Taylor bill@pokerrunsamerica.com EDITOR Gregg Mansfield info@pokerrunsamerica.com TECHNICAL EDITOR Price Turner CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tim Banse, Zenon Bilas, Bob Brown, Mike Burns Bill Jennings, Bobbye Kenyon, Chris Kourtakis, Mark Rothermal DESIGN ads@pokerrunsamerica.com Tamara Taylor, Giselle Bansal WEB DESIGN Moe Basha mbasha@taylorpublishinggroup.com PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Giselle Bansal giselle@pokerrunsamerica.com VP ADVERTISING & SALES Todd Taylor todd@pokerrunsamerica.com SALES Todd Taylor todd@pokerrunsamerica.com FLORIDA SALES Kevin Peterson klpetersonmarketing@gmail.com SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATORS Nancy Mueller, Melanie Taylor coordinator@pokerrunsamerica.com ADMINISTRATION President William E. Taylor Group Publisher Melanie Taylor-Wallis VP/Special Projects Norm Rosen PHOTOGRAPH/VIDEO Tamara Taylor tmtaylor@taylorpublishinggroup.com Duane C. Adams, Pete Boden, Ken Denardo, Jeff Geradi - Freeze Framevideo.net, Lisa Mazzoni, Randy Nuzzo, Tim Sharkey- Sharkeys Images EXECUTIVE & EDITORIAL OFFICES NEW YORK 777 East Park Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14150 FLORIDA 131 Brandiwood Court, Debary, FL, 32713 Tel: 1-800-354-9145 TORONTO 268 - 44 Crawford Crescent, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 905/844-8218 EDITORIAL OFFICES 1-800-354-9145 Subscription inquires call: 1-800-354-9145 Website: www.pokerrunsamerica.com E-mail: info@pokerrunsamerica.com Cover and contents are copyright protected and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher. Editorial contributions must be accompanied by return postage and will be handled with reasonable care. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of artwork, photographs, or manuscripts. Poker Runs America reserves the right to refuse any and all advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statement of facts made by its advertisers or independent columnists Regular subscription rates are 4 issues: $19 US. 8 issues: $32 US. Canadian subscribers add $10. Single copy price is $5.95 US and $8.50 Cdn. POSTMASTER Send all returns to Poker Runs America, 777 East Park Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14150 PRINTED IN USA POKER RUNS AMERICA | Volume 26 Number 2 FUN AND SAFETY KEY PARTNERS ON THE RUN! William E. Taylor, Publisher bill@pokerrunsamerica.com When was the last time you sat on an airplane and listened intently as the flight attendant explained the safety features of the craft? The fact is, most of us are more concerned with getting to our destination or wondering when food and drink will be served as opposed to the proper safety procedures. The same truth applies to some recreational boaters. They may carry life jackets on board – but wear them? No Way! They have never had a reason to use them before and they’re just heading out for a routine cruise. If boaters ever have to use their PFD’s, I sincerely hope the safety gear is being worn, and not stowed below in some hard-to-reach storage bin. What brings this up is a recent tragedy - a young boy was boating on the St. Lawrence River with his family, in his father’s performance boat. The boat hit a wave and crashed, everyone onboard was ejected from the boat. Everyone managed to make it to safety, except for the 11-year-old boy. After an exhaustive search, he was finally recovered. This is an unbelievable tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers went to the family, and we extended our condolences for their loss. This should serve as a reminder for all of us of the importance of proper PFD use. It is far better to wear the PFD and not need it, than find yourself in a moment needing one without it accessible. Over the past few weeks, I have had several calls and emails from Poker Run families who were shocked to see that many boaters are still not wearing PFDs, and two of our readers indicated there may have been alcohol on the boats that were participating in events or running on the river. Poker Runs America, and many of the other organizers of Poker Run events enforce mandatory safety standards. Every boater who attends Poker Runs America events, including passengers and crew, MUST wear PFDs on the water. I have said it before, and boaters should never forget our prime directive – water on the water, beer on the pier. We have other safeguards, but the two rules I just mentioned are critical, and all boaters, whether they run performance craft or recreational boats, must abide by the safety rules. Poker Runs and performance boating are wonderful family activities where we all meet new friends and acquaintances. Enjoy the water, enjoy the speed, but above all, make sure that everyone on board is wearing the appropriate safety equipment and has nothing but pleasant memories of their day on the water. PRA Pub Page 26-1.indd 6Pub Page 26-1.indd 62023-08-30 2:23 PM2023-08-30 2:23 PMOur Lake Cumberland Poker Run is the ultimate HOT SPOT that you’ll be talking about for years! This year’s event will be one for the books, complete with new boat reveals, two concerts, and our rocking DJs! Make plans to join us and see why we’re ranked among the TOP Poker Runs in America. THE LAKE EVENT OF THE YEAR Poker run! The only thing missing is you! Fast boats + More Sponsors + Legendary Entertainment = UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE Lake Cumberland.indd 1Lake Cumberland.indd 12023-08-29 12:09 PM2023-08-29 12:09 PMNew Formula DPS.indd 2New Formula DPS.indd 22022-12-20 12:18 PM2022-12-20 12:18 PM2200 West Monroe St. • PO Box 1003 Decatur, IN 46733 • 260-724-9111 w w w .f ormul aboats. c om The Formula 387 CCF & CCS — It’s What Moves You! FORMULA PRESENTS THE BEST MOVE in performance, styling and features for the ultimate center console experience! Announced at the 2022 Miami International Boat Show and introduced at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, now is the time to plan for your Formula 387 Center Console Fish and Center Console Sport! The new 38'7" Formula with 12' beam is powered by triple Mercury Verados, triple Mercury Racing 450Rs or twin Mercury Verado 600 outboards. The Formula 387 Center Console series builds on Formula’s rich offshore heritage and gives you the flexibility from all-out Fish to all-out Sport and all points in between! New Formula DPS.indd 3New Formula DPS.indd 32022-12-20 12:20 PM2022-12-20 12:20 PMNext >