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www.pokerrunsamerica.com DIRTY MONEY RACING’S Beau & Tiffiney Renfroe TM MIAMI BOAT SHOW GUIDE FASTEST 318 SKATER EVER BUILT! FOUNTAIN’S FIRST DUAL CONSOLE DCB PERFORMANCE MARINE’S BIG MOVE CHECKMATE ASSEMBLING ‘DREAM TEAM’ 2024 POKER RUN SCHEDULE! Cover 27-1.indd 1Cover 27-1.indd 12024-02-07 11:12 AM2024-02-07 11:12 AMEXPERIENCE ELEVATED OUTBOARD POWER LIVE WIDE OPEN MERCURYRACING.COM/500R C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 2023-MR-Canada-Ad.pdf 1 8/21/23 10:41 AMMercury R.indd 1Mercury R.indd 12024-02-08 4:25 PM2024-02-08 4:25 PMSkater.indd 1Skater.indd 12024-02-08 4:19 PM2024-02-08 4:19 PMBill Taylor PUBLISHERS NOTE 4 WWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COMWWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM VOLUME TWENTY SEVEN / NUMBER ONE 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 27 Number 1 BUILDING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF PERFORMANCE BOATS WITH REGGIE FOUNTAIN, CRAIG BARRIE, AND PETE CADLWELL William E. Taylor, Publisher bill@pokerrunsamerica.com We are all fortunate to own powerboats and enjoy time on the water with our friends and family. It has created a lifetime of memories for my family and now our grandchildren. As any boater will tell you, it’s a passion passed on to the next generation. It’s heartening to see that passion with industry legends Reggie Fountain and Craig Barrie mentoring/consulting with Pete Caldwell, who is reviving the Checkmate Powerboats brand - one model at a time. Reggie and Pete have known each other for decades, while Craig got to know Pete when Caldwell Marine Design was building Donzi boats under a contract with Iconic Marine. Reggie is working with Pete to update the running surfaces on future Checkmate models, while Craig will offer his expertise on updating the boat interiors and marketing skills. When editor Gregg Mansfield spoke to Reggie for the feature story in this issue, “The Dream Team,” Reggie sounded great and excited to be involved in helping Pete improve the boats. “Most of the people that are building some really good boats don’t put quite as much emphasis on the bottom and the design of the boat as we did,” said Fountain, who still lives on the Pamlico River in Washington, N.C. Both Pete and his father worked for Reggie at one point in their careers. Pete calls Reggie a “father figure” and appreciates the advice he receives during their regular dinner meetings. You’re in for a treat when having North Carolina barbecue with Reggie Fountain. Pete, and by extension Checkmate customers, are going to benefit from the 100-plus years of boating knowledge that Craig and Reggie can offer. Pete, at age 41, already has 27 years’ experience building boats from Fountains to Hatteras Sportfish Yachts, but as a first-time boat company owner, it’s like getting a master class from the individuals who built today’s high- performance industry. Pete is going after a segment of the performance-boating industry that has long been overlooked - entry-level boaters. A new boat is out of reach for many performance boaters, while the prices for boats in the used market aren’t much of a break. Families with a limited budget are looking at other motorsports opportunities instead of experiencing the joys of being on the water. Pete is doing everything in his power to deliver an affordable performance boat that is well built, fast and looks like a performance boat. In his research, Pete found potential buyers were looking at mass-produced boats from builders such as Four Winns, and the performance market was missing a company like Checkmate. “The initial plan is to build 20 boats a year,” Pete said, “filling in the gaps between production work for other companies that contract with Caldwell Marine Designs.” Craig believes the demand will allow Checkmate to build thirty boats a year. Pete Caldwell is building for the next generation of boaters. With industry legends Reggie Fountain and Craig Barrie along for the ride, everyone wins. PRA Pub Page 27-1.indd 4Pub Page 27-1.indd 42024-02-08 5:04 PM2024-02-08 5:04 PMAMP UP YOUR LIFESTYLE A M E R I C A N M A R I N E P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M Design A masterpiece of handcrafted luxury, the AMP 333SC is meticulously built with your comfort in mind. Its elegant lines, expansive cockpit, cutting-edge console, and unprecedented beam elevate your boating experience to unmatched levels of sophistication. Lifestyle LuxuryPerformanPe The AMP 333SC center console boat redefines luxury living, setting a new standard with lavish interiors and cutting-edge entertainment. Reserved for the most discerning tastes, it’s a lifestyle of unrivaled exclusivity. The AMP 333SC is a testament to opulence and refinement, making waves in the industry. Emphasizing lavishness and superior design, it exudes sophistication that sets it apart. With plush interiors and state- of-the-art entertainment, the AMP 333SC defines waterborne luxury. The AMP 333SC is a remarkable performance boat with a cutting-edge double-step hull design, reaching speeds from 72 to 95 MPH. It excels in safety, superb handling, and exceptional stability, ensuring an exhilarating yet secure water experience. THE NEW 2024 AMP 333 WILL AMP UP YOUR LIFESTYLE A M E R I C A N M A R I N E P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M Design A masterpiece of handcrafted luxury, the AMP 333SC is meticulously built with your comfort in mind. Its elegant lines, expansive cockpit, cutting-edge console, and unprecedented beam elevate your boating experience to unmatched levels of sophistication. Lifestyle LuxuryPerformanPe The AMP 333SC center console boat redefines luxury living, setting a new standard with lavish interiors and cutting-edge entertainment. Reserved for the most discerning tastes, it’s a lifestyle of unrivaled exclusivity. The AMP 333SC is a testament to opulence and refinement, making waves in the industry. Emphasizing lavishness and superior design, it exudes sophistication that sets it apart. With plush interiors and state- of-the-art entertainment, the AMP 333SC defines waterborne luxury. The AMP 333SC is a remarkable performance boat with a cutting-edge double-step hull design, reaching speeds from 72 to 95 MPH. It excels in safety, superb handling, and exceptional stability, ensuring an exhilarating yet secure water experience. THE NEW 2024 AMP 333 WILL AMP UP YOUR LIFESTYLE A M E R I C A N M A R I N E P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M Design A masterpiece of handcrafted luxury, the AMP 333SC is meticulously built with your comfort in mind. Its elegant lines, expansive cockpit, cutting-edge console, and unprecedented beam elevate your boating experience to unmatched levels of sophistication. Lifestyle LuxuryPerformanPe The AMP 333SC center console boat redefines luxury living, setting a new standard with lavish interiors and cutting-edge entertainment. Reserved for the most discerning tastes, it’s a lifestyle of unrivaled exclusivity. The AMP 333SC is a testament to opulence and refinement, making waves in the industry. Emphasizing lavishness and superior design, it exudes sophistication that sets it apart. With plush interiors and state- of-the-art entertainment, the AMP 333SC defines waterborne luxury. The AMP 333SC is a remarkable performance boat with a cutting-edge double-step hull design, reaching speeds from 72 to 95 MPH. It excels in safety, superb handling, and exceptional stability, ensuring an exhilarating yet secure water experience. THE NEW 2024 AMP 333 WILL AMP.indd 1AMP.indd 12024-01-08 2:46 PM2024-01-08 2:46 PM6 POKER RUNS AMERICA | Volume 27 Number 1WWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM FEATURES 20 20 TOM BRADY’S TEAM WINS INAUGURAL E1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP The G.O.A.T. wins on the water too. 22 FAMILY MATTERS Dirty Money Racing’s Beau and Tiffiney Renfroe are all about family, their team and winning. 30 THE DREAM TEAM Checkmate Powerboats gains insight from performance- boating legends. 34 PRA’S KINGSTON 1000 ISLANDS POKER RUN The 2023 1000 Islands Poker Run was another fever-pitch weekend on the Poker Runs of America Tour. 40 MIAMI INTERNATION BOAT SHOW GUIDE Stay ahead of the performance-boating news with this Miami International Boat Show preview. 44 FASTEST 318 SKATER EVER! Vinny Rifice is transforming a slow 318 Skater into the fastest ever built. 48 FOUNTAIN POWERBOATS 39DX The 39DX is the first dual console model for Fountain Powerboats. 54 THE BIG MOVE DCB Performance Marine plants its flag in Arizona. 57 FROM THE VAULTS A legend lives on with Don Aronow’s 233 Formula. 4 PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE Building for the Next Generation. 12 THE BIG TICKET Dream Car and Classic Muscle Car Revisited. 14 FAST FACTS Velocity, Myco Trailers, LOTO, American Marine Performance, Remembering Bruce Baker. 64 POWER PLAY Joey Gratton Memorial New Year’s Day Fun Run. 68 POKER RUN EVENT CALENDAR & RACE CALENDAR DEPARTMENTS pra vol. 27-1 CONTENTS contents 27-1.indd 6contents 27-1.indd 62024-02-08 5:01 PM2024-02-08 5:01 PM7 Volume 27 Number 1 | POKER RUNS AMERICAWWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM 54 48 30 THE BIG MOVE DCB Performance Marine Photo by DCB Performance Marine 57 contents 27-1.indd 7contents 27-1.indd 72024-02-08 5:02 PM2024-02-08 5:02 PMWWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM SPEED ZONE 8 POKER RUNS AMERICA | Volume 27 Number 1WWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM speed zones.indd 8speed zones.indd 82024-02-08 12:04 PM2024-02-08 12:04 PM9 MARINE TECHNOLOGY Stephane Boudrais showcasing his 440X MTI cat with 1015 horsepower at its top speed of 140 mph during the PRA’s Kingston 1000 Islands Poker Run last August. Don’t miss this year’s event August 9-11, 2024. Photo by Fast Loud Photography 9 Volume 27 Number 1 | POKER RUNS AMERICAWWW.POKERRUNSAMERICA.COM speed zones.indd 9speed zones.indd 92024-02-08 12:05 PM2024-02-08 12:05 PMNext >