TEAM PROFILE
The Miami-based Cigarette Racing company makes its long-awaited debut in the Powerboat P1 championship this year. Founded by experienced offshore racer Don Aronow in 1969, the company has been a mainstay of the US leisure and racing powerboat scene for the last four decades.
Since its acquisition by respected US businessman in Skip Braver and long-time Cigarette Racing designer Neil Hernandez in 2002, the company has continued to prosper, winning races and setting new speed records that maintain Cigarette Racing’s reputation for speed, performance and style.
Cigarette Racing is now ready to come to Europe and take on its rivals in Powerboat P1. To do this, it has chosen official Italian dealer Seahorse International for the task of running Cigarette Racing Team Europe and the #10 The Fantastic 1 boat.
The outfit is led by Italian Eugenio Voltolina and Luigi Foresti, while respected Italian powerboat ace Lino Dibiase handles the throttles and former car racer Luca Formilli Fendi takes the pilot’s wheel. The new EVO-01P1 Cigarette Racing hull will be powered by Mercury Racing engines, offering a potentially potent package that is well placed to threaten the existing teams in Powerboat P1’s line-up.
As Cigarette Racing CEO Skip Braver states: “In order to win races, you need a fantastic boat, powerful engines and an experienced crew. We certainly have that.”