OREGON CUSTOM MARINE TAKES ROUND EIGHT

Tags: sandiego, bayfair, ocm, ogp, petersandmay, jdbyrider

Oregon Custom Marine took the checkered flag with ease in round eight of the P1 SuperStock USA Championship at the San Diego Bayfair.

The OCM team of Tim McDonald and Mike DeFrees led the pack the entire race and never looked back once they were in smooth waters.

“It was a great race, a lot of work and the right-hand turn made it interesting,” said OCM driver Tim McDonald. “Of course, I had the best coach in the world with Mike DeFrees throttling for me.”

The SuperStock USA teams ran a 1.66 mile course that included a right-handed dogleg turn which created plenty of excitement for the SuperStock USA teams.

“The race course is a driver’s course, Tim did an awesome job driving,” said OCM throttleman Mike DeFrees. “We got a good start position in the second lane and overtook first place in turn one which gave us clean water. I just pushed a few buttons and Tim won the race.”

Finishing a few boat lengths behind in second place was Mark and Cody Kowalski of team JD Byrider. The father-son team won round seven in Morehead City back in August and are only a few points out of first place for the P1 SuperStock USA title.

Jorge Arellano and John Hansen of team Ocala Gran Prix had their best race of the season in round eight. OGP finished a season-high third place, but had a competitive battle with Peters and May crew Azam Ali and Kyle Sanborn who tried every possible line to make the pass.

“We tried everything out there but all we got was a nice cool shower from OGP’s rooster tail,” said Peters and May driver Azam Ali. “Next race, we want to be giving the showers.”

Making their SuperStock USA debut were brothers Blake and Brock Gratton of Miss Madison. The young squad started off slow but passed two boats in the final two laps of the race to finish sixth.

“It was our first race and we had an awesome time,” said driver Blake Gratton. “We learned a lot because we messed up so badly at the start but we got the boat dialed in and made a couple of passes. We can’t wait to race tomorrow and I think we’ll finish closer to the top.”

The P1 SuperStock USA teams wrap up the inaugural season tomorrow in rounds nine and 10 where the 2011 P1 SuperStock USA Champion will be crowned. The final round (ten) is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. (pacific time).

P1 SuperStock USA Round 8 Results (provisional):

1. Oregon Custom Marine; 2, JD Byrider; 3, Ocala Gran Prix; 4, Peters and May; 5, Mountain Dew; 6, Miss Madison; 7 Jack’s Waterfront Bar; 8, Mandigo Bay.