Offshore PWC /JetSki Endurance Racing Defined, here:  http://www.pwcoffshore.com/Offshore_Racing_Defined.html

Mark Gerner at the LB2CAT Offshore National Championship Race

 

The 2013 Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championship Race, aka "The LB2CAT"

The start and finish of the LB2CAT Race, The Queen Mary.  Photo by PWCOFFSHORE.COM

The historic IJSBA Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championship race aka “The LB2CAT” by Jettribe and RPM Racing Enterprises has challenged man and machine for almost two decades.  The sea state for this race across the channel is unpredictable and can be ocean flat (which is never completely flat) or exceptionally rough.  Rough seas can and many times has separated the men from the boys and the women 

Craig Warner, 2013 LB2CAT Champion

from the girls at this race.  The race starts and finishes at the helm of the historic Queen Mary in the Long Beach, Ca. harbor.  The race takes racers from the start behind the protection of the break wall into the treacherous and unpredictable channel between Long Beach and Catalina Island, 28 miles each way.  Racers must navigate to a small SeaTow turn boat off the coast of Avalon on Catalina Island and then return 28 miles back across the channel, through Queen’s Gate and into the Long Beach Harbor to cross the finish line behind the Queen Mary.  Many are intimidated by this race; intestinal fortitude prevails for those who choose to enter.   

This year the seas would not disappoint, mother-nature would be alive to greet racers with a rough course for the majority of the course and 4-6 foot seas for part of the track.  Merely finishing this race was an accomplishment for the offshore racer.  

The Kawasaki ULTRA 300X platform would continue to dominate this race with a sweep of the podium.  The multiple World Champion, former Triple Crown Champion and Monster Energy Kawasaki sponsored,

Craig Warner, Champion

PWCOFFSHORE.COM CORE Team member Craig Warner would take the overall win and Offshore National Championship on his Monster Energy Kawasaki ULTRA 300X with a time of 1:02:41, beating offshore teammate and veteran overall second place finisher Mark Gerner by 2 minutes and 50 seconds.  This would be Warner’s 4^th overall LB2CAT title, tying legendary offshore racer and PWCOFFSHORE.COM Hall of Famer Billy

Craig Warner

Womack’s four LB2CAT titles.  Should there be one more LB2CAT overall win for Craig Warner, he will make additional history as the all-time LB2CAT title leader for the history of the LB2CAT Race.  This would be the second consecutive 2^nd place finish for PWCOFFSHORE.COM founder and former Triple Crown Champion Mark Gerner behind Warner and third 2^nd place finish at the LB2CAT behind Craig Warner for Mark Gerner on his Steve Friebe built Kawasaki ULTRA 300X.

Mark Gerner, 2nd 

Third place overall would be achieved by three Time Vet-Master IJSBA World Champion and Iron-Man Triathlete KC Heidler.  All three of these racers comprise the CORE Team of PWCOFFSHORE.COM Racing piloting the Kawasaki ULTRA 300X resulting in a podium sweep for the PWCOFFSHORE.COM CORE Team and Kawasaki.  Craig Warner would say “PWCOFFSHORE.COM CORE Team, 1,

KC Heidler, 3rd

2, 3, there you go.”  Of special note was KC Heidler’s performance on the course with a healing broken leg and podium finish. 



The Amateur Open Class winner would be Santiago Kuan racing his Kawasaki ULTRA 300X, The Manufacture’s Stock Class would go to Michael Perry racing his Kawasaki ULTRA

Santiago Kuan

300X and a very impressive 4^th overall placing.  The Super Stock Limited Class would go to California racer Akira Tananka on his Kawasaki ULTRA 260X.  Kawasaki won literally every class of this race and nine of the ten spots in the top ten.  Former world and national 

Michael Perry

champion standup racer Tera Laho would be the sole woman racer on the course and would put in a very impressive top 10 (7^th overall) performance on her Yamaha SHO, the only Yamaha to place in the top 10.  Liquid Militia Clothing would be there in force to support Tera prior to and during the competition.   



Akira Tananka

The ocean would be large and confused, primarily located from the shelf forward located approximately 12 miles off the coast of the Long Beach break wall.  From that point forward the seas were confused, a result of converging swells and wind waves which would pick up and  get bigger as racers would approach Catalina Island.  This sea-state is technical and makes it difficult for racers to find their rhythm due to the unpredictability of what the water would do in front of his/her craft.  This sea-state would challenge man/woman and machine 

Tera Laho

and reflects in the overall finish times for the race.  This LB2CAT race would not be given out this year, it would be earned and all racers are to be congratulated for taking on the challenge.  Eric and Jared Hardin would both put in impressive performances on their Kawasaki ULTRA 300X race-craft, Jared Hardin finishing with a top ten finish placing 9^th overall.  Of special note is that one of the brothers, Jared did the Long Beach to Catalina Ski race the day prior to the LB2CAT PWC race, then competing in the LB2CAT PWC Race; an impressive display of endurance and athleticism.    

Mike Follmer

Retired endurance and offshore racers Mike Follmer and Doug Brown were inducted into the PWCOFFSHORE.COM Racing Hall of Fame for their success and contribution to endurance and offshore racing, joining the ranks of only three additional PWCOFFSHORE.COM Hall of Fame Members, Billy Womack, Steve Friebe and John “The Master” Belton.  The

Doug Brown

PWCOFFSHORE.COM Hall of Fame now has only five members and will stay “small and elite.”

The PWCOFFSHORE.COM Warrior Award was awarded to KC Heidler of South Orange County, California, joining the prestigious ranks of previous winners Craig Warner, Steve Friebe, John Belton and Ms. Shawn Alladio.

PWCOFFSHORE.COM incurred the cost to put a helicopter, film crew and photographer in the air to film this epic race and keep it alive for

future generations to witness.  Sponsors are being pursued and required to ensure production, assist in offsetting the cost of DVD production etc.  Contact pwc@pwcoffshore.com for sponsorship of the DVD.    

Congratulations to Monster Energy Kawasaki's Craig Warner!

LB2CAT Race Page, Click Here:  http://pwcoffshore.com/LB2CAT_Race_Page.html
Hall of Fame Page: http://pwcoffshore.com/Hall_of_Fame.html
Warrior Award Winners Award Page:  http://pwcoffshore.com/Warrior_Award_Winners.html

Click here to go back to www.pwcoffshore.com

Below, Craig Warner

Below, Picture of Mark Gerner at 2013 LB2CAT on the Kawasaki ULTRA 300X

Above KC Heidler at 2013 LB2CAT on Kawasaki ULTRA 300X

Derek, Newton, #57

Above, Podium - Craig Warner, Mark Gerner and KC Heidler

 Below, KC Heidler at 2013 LB2CAT on Kawasaki ULTRA 300X

 

    

Below, KC Heidler at 2013 LB2CAT on Kawasaki ULTRA 300X

 

 Overall Results:
Pos. Name Number Mfg. Time Class
1st- Craig Warner #7 Kaw 1:02:41 Pro/Am Open
2nd- Mark Gerner #58 Kaw 1:05:31 Pro/Am Open
3rd- K.C. Heidler #2 Kaw 1:05:54 Pro/Am Open
4th- Michael Perry #27 Kaw 1hr:07 Mins:035 Mfg. Stock
5th- Jeff Lane #83 Kaw 1hr:11 mins:30 Mfg. Stock
6th- Nick Vanis #13 Kaw 1hr:11 mins:34 Pro/Am Open
7th- Tera Laho #64 Yah 1:13:46 Mfg. Stock
8th- Akira Tananka #470 Kaw 1:16:55 Super Stock Ltd.
9th- Jared Hardin #21 Kaw1:16:55 Mfg. Stock
10th- Santiago Kuan Kaw #30 1:20:14 Amateur Open
11th- Tommy Kolleck #777 Kaw 1:20:34 Super Stock Ltd.
12th- Dave "Pirate" Tew Kaw #33 1:20:38 Mfg. Stock
13th- Tom Cruz #12 Kaw 1:21:42 Super Stock Ltd.
14th- Eric Hardin #5 Kaw 1hr:22 mins:36 Mfg. Stock
15th- Cheng Leu #411 Kaw 1hr:23 mins:13 Pro/Am Open
16th- John Feeney #755 Kaw Amateur Open
17th- Bill Scott #51 Kaw 1hr:27 mins:12 Mfg. Stock
18th- Scott McIntosh #007 Kaw 1:37:26 Amateur Open
19th- Chris Dobbins #52 Yam 1:38:49 Amateur Open
20th- Rich Piquette #5x Sea 1:40:01 Amateur Open
21st- Kevin Edwards #283 Yam 1:45:59 Mfg. Stock
22nd- Mike Mendez #909 Kaw 1:49:33 Pro/Am Open
23rd- Derek Newton #57 Kaw 1:50:41 Amateur Open
24th- Richard Ignacio #816 Sea 1:56:01 Amateur Open
25th- Frank Gavit #75 Kaw 2:01:58 Mfg. Stock
DNF- Anthony Chalue #88 Sea Amateur Open
DNF- Scott Burtness #600 Kaw Pro/Am Open
DNF- Pat Roque #77 Kaw Pro/Am Open

Results by Class:

Pro/Am Open
Pos. Name Number Mfg. Time Class
1st- Craig Warner #7 Kaw 1:02:41 Pro/Am Open
2nd- Mark Gerner #58 Kaw 1:05:31 Pro/Am Open
3rd- K.C. Heidler #2 Kaw 1:05:54 Pro/Am Open
4th- Nick Vanis #13 Kaw 1:11 mins:34 Pro/Am Open
5th- Cheng Leu #411 Kaw 1:23 mins:13 Pro/Am Open
6th- Mike Mendez #909 Kaw 1:49:33 Pro/Am Open
DNF- Scott Burtness #600 Kaw Pro/Am Open
DNF- Pat Roque #77 Kaw Pro/Am Open

Amateur Open
Pos. Name Number Mfg. Time Class
1st- Santiago Kuan Kaw #30 1:20:14 Amateur Open
2nd- John Feeney #755 Kaw Amateur Open
3rd- Scott McIntosh #007 Kaw 1:37:26 Amateur Open
4th- Chris Dobbins #52 Yam 1:38:49 Amateur Open
5th- Rich Piquette #5x Sea 1:40:01 Amateur Open
6th- Derek Newton #57 Kaw 1:50:41 Amateur Open
7th- Richard Ignacio #816 Sea 1:56:01 Amateur Open

Super Stock Ltd.
Pos. Name Number Mfg. Time Class
1st- Akira Tananka #470 Kaw 1:16:55 Super Stock Ltd.
2nd- Tommy Kolleck #777 Kaw 1:20:34 Super Stock Ltd.
3rd- Tom Cruz #12 Kaw 1:21:42 Super Stock Ltd.

Mfg. Stock
Pos. Name Number Mfg. Time Class
1st- Michael Perry #27 Kaw 1:07 mins:035 Mfg. Stock
2nd- Jeff Lane #83 Kaw 1:11 mins:30 Mfg. Stock
3rd- Tera Laho #64 Yah 1:13:46 Mfg. Stock
4th- Jared Hardin #21 Kaw1:16:55 Mfg. Stock
5th- Dave "Pirate" Tew Kaw #33 1:20:38 Mfg. Stock
6th- Eric Hardin #5 Kaw 1:22 mins:36 Mfg. Stock
7th- Bill Scott #51 Kaw 1:27 mins:12 Mfg. Stock
8th- Kevin Edwards #283 Yam 1:45:59 Mfg. Stock
9th- Frank Gavit #75 Kaw 2:01:58 Mfg. Stock

Above, Mark Gerner at 2013 LB2CAT on Kawasaki ULTRA 300X

Below Jeff Lane on Kawasaki ULTRA 300X

Below, Mike Mendez at 2013 LB2CAT on Kawasaki ULTRA 300X

Below, Mark Gerner at 2013 LB2CAT on Kawasaki ULTRA 300X  

 

 

 

“SUPPORT OUR WARRIORS” PWC / JetSki RIDE FROM SANTA BARBARA TO SAN DIEGO IN ONE DAY “If not me, then who” Travis Manion, 1st Lt USMC (RIP)

“SUPPORT OUR WARRIORS” PWC / JetSki RIDE FROM SANTA BARBARA TO SAN DIEGO IN ONE DAY

“If not me, then who” Travis Manion, 1st Lt USMC (RIP)

Mark Gerner and John Belton of PWCOFFSHORE Racing to ride PWC / Jet Skis 235 miles unassisted (no chase boat)across the open ocean on Kawasaki ULTRA LX Jet Skis from Santa Barbara, Ca to San Diego, Ca. in one day to honor our wounded and deceased veterans. They are doing so in pursuit of exposure of the three charities below and your donations directly to these charities. The ride is intended to be a big blue run across the open ocean from Santa Barbara to Ventura, then to Catalina Island and then a direct open ocean shot from Avalon to San Diego. The team has targeted Sunday November 18, 2012 for the ride. But before we talk about this amazing offshore ride, here is what YOU can do: 

Please click, review and DONATE to The Travis Manion Foundation: http://www.travismanion.com/support-the-cause.htmlplease watch the video on the right of this page.

"If not me, then who...” Travis Manion

“Before he left for his second tour in Iraq, 1st Lt. Travis Manion was asked why he had to go back to war. His simple response: "If Not Me, Then Who..." inspired many, including his mother, who founded the Travis Manion Foundation shortly after Travis was killed on April 29, 2007. Until she passed away nearly five years later, Janet Manion spent every day embodying the poignant words that her only son once spoke. Helping those in need was something that came very easily for Travis and Janet. In keeping the spirit of their selfless nature alive, the Travis Manion Foundation continues their noble mission through pillar programs that assist our nation's troops, veterans, military families, and loved ones of fallen heroes. Please consider investing in the Travis Manion Foundation's "If Not Me, Then Who..." mission.” www.travismanion.com

DONATE to The Phoenix Patriot Foundation: http://phoenixpatriotfoundation.org/

The Phoenix Patriot Foundation's mission is to provide direct support to severely wounded veterans enabling them to fully recover, reintegrate and remain engaged in serving America.

DONATE to The Wounded Warrior Project: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

The Wounded Warrior Project is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history. To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members. To help injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members

Our objective is to generate $10,000.00 for each of these three charities 

(please make contributions directly to the charities; please do not send any donations to the riders please). 

What can YOU do to show support? Contribute no less than 3.00 to each of these three charities! That is less than a Starbucks Latte for each charity! Also review their web pages and learn more about how you could possibly support these great charities! Forward this email to all that might want to contribute - Thank you!

The Ride:

Mark Gerner, a former US Marine Corps Infantry Officer and John Belton of PWCOFFSHORE will ride PWC / Jet Skis for a distance of 235 miles in November of 2012 across the open ocean from Santa Barbara to Ventura, Ca., then across the channel to Avalon (Catalina Island), then make a direct big ocean run from Avalon to San Diego, all in one day on November 18, 2012. They are making this epic offshore ride to bring exposure and fundraising to these three great charities. 

The Riders: 

Mark Gerner is founder of PWCOFFSHORE, a former Mark Hahn 300 mile Endurance Race overall National Champion (with race partner Robert Carreon), a Mark Hahn 300 Mile Race Iron Man winner, a two-time 2nd place overall finisher at the Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championships and former Triple Crown of Offshore overall champion. He has been riding Personal Watercraft / Jet Skis offshore for fifteen years. 

John Belton is a member of the PWCOFFSHORE Hall of Fame, PWCOFFSHORE Warrior Award winner, former Mark Hahn 300 mile Endurance Race overall National Champion (with race partner Tracy Malan) and one of the most experienced offshore Personal Watercraft / Jet Ski riders in the world with over 30 years of offshore experience and in excess of 1000 cross channel transits from Long Beach to Catalina and back rides on a Jet Ski. 

Ride Sponsors: 

Kawasaki: Thank you Kawasaki for supporting this great cause with two Kawasaki ULTRA LX Jet Skis provided for this epic ride! www.kawasaki.com

PWCOFFSHORE Racing www.pwcoffshore.com

Ride Supporters: 

Liquid Militia: www.liquidmilitia.com

K38 Water Safety: http://k38watersafety.com/forum

SoCalWatercraft Club

Craig Warner Wins 2012 Triple Crown of Offshore on the Kawasaki ULTRA 300X

Craig Warner Wins 2012 Triple Crown of Offshore

Monster Energy Kawasaki Sponsored Racer Craig Warner of Southern California wins each of the three races of the TCO and sweeps the 2012 Triple Crown of Offshore Racing series. Never before has a racer won every round of the TCO and swept the entire series. Warner raced the Monster Energy Kawasaki backed Kawasaki ULTRA 300X and took the win of the final race of the series; The 56 mile Dana Point, Ca USA to Oceanside and Back offshore race and did so by a significant margin.

Warner’s win solidifies Kawasaki’s dominance of offshore Jet Ski racing by sweeping the podium of every race of the TCO series and taking the top three overall points placements for the 2012 Triple Crown of Offshore. Monster Energy Kawasaki's Craig Warner (Kawasaki ULTRA 300X) had a perfect score and the highest points of the series, KC Heidler (Kawasaki ULTRA 300X) with the 2nd highest points and Mark Gerner (Kawasaki ULTRA 300X) with the 3rd highest points of the three race series.

For more information regarding offshore racing, go to www.pwcoffshore.com



Craig Warner wins 2012 Triple Crown of Offshore on 300X

Iron Man Athlete KC Heidler of PWCOFFSHORE.COM Racing



Mark Gerner

PWCOFFSHORE.COM Makes History - Big Blue Offshore Run From DANA POINT, CA Directly To The South Point of SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND's Pyramid Cove, 122 Miles Round Trip On Kawasaki ULTRA 300X Jet Skis

PWCOFFSHORE.COM Big Blue Offshore Run From DANA POINT, CA Directly To The South Point of SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND's Pyramid Cove, 122 Miles Round Trip On Kawasaki ULTRA 300X Jet Skis

NOTE: WE ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO DO THIS RIDE ON A JET SKI - SIGNIFICANT PLANNING AND COORDINATION IS REQUIRED - INDOCTRINATED AND EXTREMELY EXPERIENCED ONLY

September 2, 2012 5:45 am, Dana Point Harbor, CA: “Where you going today” says a stranger to Mark Gerner. San Clemente Island. “San Clemente island? On a Jet Ski?” Yes. “San Clemente? That’s like, over 60 miles offshore” Yes. “You have a chase boat, right?” No. “Are you going to Avalon, Catalina first?” No. “On a Jet Ski?” Yes. “Why not go to Avalon first, that’s like half way there right? “ Because we’re not aware of anyone that’s done this direct shot before from Dana Point to Pyramid Cove, San Clemente Island unassisted there and back. “Do you know there are probably 6-8 foot seas out there because of the hurricane?” Yes. “Do you have enough fuel?” Yes, we’ll be fine. Long pause from the stranger…….. With a little nervous laughter “You guys are nuts, be safe.” This will be good training - plus, we’re prepared, said Gerner.

That preparation was due in large part to three time Vet Master World Champion KC Heidler and technician Peewee Price.

9/2/2012: Three select racers from PWCOFFSHORE.COM plot a course from Dana Point tracking directly 61 miles across the open seas to the South Point of San Clemente Island, a military base approximately 30 miles beyond Catalina Island and 61 miles from Dana Point. The brainchild of three-time world champion KC Heidler of PWCOFFSHORE, Heidler’s original intent was to take the adventure all the way to Cortez Bank 100 miles offshore on Saturday, September 1. Unfortunately the hurricane, small craft advisory at San Clemente Island, 7 foot seas, white caps combined with the challenged manageability of the craft due to the weight of 46 gallons of fuel on the Jet Ski in that sea state resulted in the team opting to push the Cortez ride out and do a San Clemente Island ride direct from Dana Point.

Mark Gerner, KC Heidler and Tom Cruz launched from Dana Point to tackle the 122 mile pure “big blue” open ocean run direct from Dana Point California to San Clemente and back. Supported by Race Technician Peewee Price, the day started with a navigation and weather brief from KC Heidler at 5:15 am followed by launch. “It’s going to be a bumpy run out there guys” said Heidler. The team was underway by 6:30 am. The group would encounter 5-8 foot seas and white caps the entire way to San Clemente Island. It became especially intense at the half way mark approximately 20 miles due south of the South tip of Catalina Island with the southerly winds between the islands stirring up quite a mess of 8 foot steep waves. After over two hours of being hammered by white caps, 15 knot winds and 8 footers off the East side of San Clemente Island due to the residuals of the hurricane, the team arrived safely to rendezvous with their refueling craft “The Tranquilidad” – 60 ft. The Beneteau was anchored on the outer rim of Pyramid Cove on the South side of San Clemente Island and skippered by Jeremy Anwyl. The craft was equipped with aircraft grade fuel bladders and zuck up bibs for the team to refuel from. The sea state would involve less white caps on the return run with large swells, by no means flat but only a few white caps and following seas resulting in a significantly less eventful ride back compared to the exceptionally large & intense conditions on the way out.

The team had two Epirbs each, SPOT Tracking Devices, Satellite phone, two radios each, a total of nine GPS devices, floats plans etc. Safety was paramount.

Thank you Jeremy Anwyl for the great skipper support, thank you Salty! Captain Macc of SeaTow for watching out for us and the constant communication, Peewee and Brandy Price for the phenomenal preparation work and support.

Note to reader: San Clemente Island is a military training ground. There are parts of San Clemente that don’t allow boats within miles of the Island. There are times that San Clemente Island is completely closed within a few miles. Land access is not authorized (Stay off the island). Coordinate with their website prior to considering approaching the island on a boat of any size. WE RECOMMEND YOU DO NOT MAKE THIS RUN on a Jet Ski without a minimum of a decade of offshore experience on a Jet Ski, multiple ride partners, significant planning and redundant safety equipment.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3119210...ream/lightbox/

Route: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3119210...n/photostream/

2011 Kawasaki ULTRA 300X Review and Feedback

The intent of this page is to offer the reader an objective view of the new 2011 Kawasaki ULTRA 300X. We will not address the specific detailed technical information offered on the Kawasaki website; this will be about riding characteristics, performance, issues and observations. We encourage you to go to the Kawasaki site for the specific technical information about the craft, you need to know this. I was one of the first owners of the 2007 Kawasaki ULTRA 250X and have spent in excess of 250 hours on the ULTRA platform (I’ve owned two ULTRA 250's) and understand the craft exceptionally well. My feedback will be based on my observations and opinions expressed subsequent to riding this craft aggressively offshore. Nothing will be done “scientifically” and you may take and act on our opinions and observations at your own

 

Click here for the review:

http://www.pwcoffshore.com/Kawasaki_ULTRA_Page.html

Below, Video of 2011 Long Beach to Catalina and Back Race

http://www.pwcoffshore.com/Kawasaki_ULTRA_Page.html

 

Below, Mark Gerner at 2012 Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championship Race

 

The IJSBA 2012 Hot Products Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 Mile Race By DSM

The best PWC / Jet Ski endurance racers in the world gathered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona USA on February 25, 2012 for the Hot Products Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 Mile Race by DSM Events. This international PWC Race is in memory of a fallen racer Mark Hahn who perished while engaged in his passion of racing watercraft. Racers traveled to the United States to participate in the race from Singapore, Russia, Australia, Belgium, France and other countries to put their skills to the ultimate test of 300 miles against the best endurance racers racing has to offer. Executive Producer Mike Follmer said “It is great to see so many international racers competing this year and it shows how important this race has become to the rest of the world. We are truly an international event now. I am always trying to make this special event bigger and better each year. I thank all the racers for their support.” Race Director Ross Wallach said "The race couldn't have gone better!  This years event was truly an international spectacle with so many nations represented!  The racing on the water  was fantastic as the calm conditions provided a very fast course.   I know working with both Jim Russell of DSM Motorsports and Mike Follmer are why this event continues to grown and become one of the best, if not the best endurance race in the world!  I know I am personally looking forward to 2013!"

Racers would wake up to no wind and flat conditions resulting in a throttle run for 300 miles of racing. The checker flag would go to Team Bruno Pastorello (France) and Ente Sylvain (Belgium) for their first place overall placing completing 300 miles in a time of 4:17:35 racing the Kawasaki ULTRA 300X platform. This is the second year in a row that a Pastorello team has taken the overall at the Mark Hahn 300 mile race and the fourth consecutive win for the Kawasaki ULTRA 300X at the Mark Hahn Race. Even on flat water, Kawasaki owned the top three podium positions and an impressive nine of the top ten. With multiple consecutive wins at both the Mark Hahn 300 Mile endurance race and the Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championship Race, Kawasaki’s dominance in endurance and offshore racing is a foregone conclusion.

Russell Marmon would win the Iron Man and take an impressive 2nd place overall on his Kawasaki ULTRA 300X. The vast majority of the racers race the 300 miles of the Mark Hahn with a partner i.e. each racer races 150 miles. Iron Man racers roll the dice and race all 300 miles by themselves requiring a higher degree of stamina and physical fitness. The 2nd place overall placing by Marmon is one of the more impressive performances of the day. 3rd place overall would go to the PWCOFFSHORE.COM Racing Team via three time Vet Master IJSBA World Champion KC Heidler and Tom Cruz racing their Kawasaki ULTRA 300X. KC Heidler said he “appreciated all of the hard work and dedication of his technician John Peewee Price” and that he “looked forward to seeing all of the racers at the Triple Crown of Offshore Races in 2012.”

Former 2010 Mark Hahn winner Craig Warner (with race partner Victor Sheldon), a Monster Energy Kawasaki and PWCOFFSHORE.COM CORE Racer would walk away from the field for the majority of the race Iron Manning it on one of the fastest Kawasaki ULTRA 300X platforms racers have ever seen. With the overall win in his sights, Warner would end up having a mechanical that would take him out of contention for the overall but Warner was still able to limp his craft in for an impressive 4th place overall finish. At one point during the race, Warner would ride with one foot in the tray and one foot propping the front hood of his craft up to allow the craft to make it to the Hot Pits for hasty repair. Warner’s tenaciousness was evident on this day.


2012 Mark Hahn Top 10 Overall:
Ski # Name, Class, Laps difference Overall time
1 815 Bruno/Sylvain PRO-AM 4-stroke 30 4:17:35.270
2 666 Russell/Marmon Veteran Masters Open 30 2:50.186 4:20:25.456: IRON MAN WIN
3 2 Heidler/Cruz PRO-AM 4-stroke 30 7:07.000 4:24:42.270
4 7 Craig Warner PRO-AM 4-stroke 29 1 lap 4:27:31.793 IRON MAN
5 23 Iakovlev/Chernukha 4-stroke stock 28 2 laps 4:17:14.536
6 525 Team/Conroy Veteran Masters Open 28 2 laps 4:18:16.977
7 58 Mark Gerner PRO-AM 4-stroke 28 2 laps 4:19:50.409 IRON MAN
8 985 Legendre/SF San Martin 4-stroke stock 28 2 laps 4:22:42.729
9 909 Mendez/Brown PRO-AM 4-stroke 27 3 laps 4:18:31.444
10 60 Bunch/Monday PRO-AM 4-stroke 27 3 laps 4:23:59.202

The Russian team of Iakovlev and Chernukha would travel thousands of miles to participate in this epic event.  Their logistics and preparation would pay dividends with a great showing in 5th place overall. 

PWCOFFSHORE.COM Founder #58 Mark Gerner who won this race in 2009 (with race partner Robert Carreon) and a former Iron Man winner would Iron Man the race once again this year on the Kawasaki ULTRA 300X but would manage equipment issues with both the craft and pit gear throughout the day. Gerner would still pull off a 7th place overall finish. Gerner said “I have the best Pit Crew on the planet and I thank them for making the best of the day.” GL Legendre would travel in from Louisiana with race partner Juan Francisco (San Martin) to complete the race in 8th place overall, an impressive performance for first time Mark Hahn racers racing their #985 Kawasaki ULTRA 300X.GL Legendre said he was “thankful to all involved in putting on such a wonderful event, I appreciate the effort of the team I put together combined with the PWCOFFSHORE.COM crew that offered their assistance throughout the race.”

Mike Mendez and Dean Brown of Northern California would also put in an impressive performance with an exceptionally fast Kawasaki ULTRA 300X taking 9th overall.  Over the past few years, Dean Brown has taken it to the next level  racing the DJSA Races in Northern California with promoter Jim Lambert.  Dean Brown said "Fantastic to race against the best of the best. Never met Mr. Mark Hahn but I'm sure he was watching with a huge smile."  Nicolas Rius raced a blazing fast Turbo Kawasaki ULTRA 260X that was putting in a great performance. Unfortunately Rius would also encounter a mechanical issue ultimately taking him out of contention and out of the race.

The KMG Racing Team of Dave Hardenburger/Fekete/ Day standup team of the United States would take home the overall standup win with an exceptionally fast standup completing 21 laps in a time of 4:25:54. Dave Hardenburger said “Everything lined up for us just right. Our team was strong, our pit crew was on fire, and the conditions were perfect! It was a perfect day for David Fekete, Luke Day and I. Thanks to the KMG Racing Pit Crew for keeping us on pace and on the podium!

Once again, Peter Yauri would win the coveted standup Iron Man. This is the ultimate test of man of machine and Peter Yauri aka "Three-Pete Yauri" for his third consecutive Iron Man win has differentiated himself in this niche. Peter would thank his physical trainer and stated that he looked forward to racing the Mark Hahn again in 2013.

KMG Racing was awarded the Sea Doo Best Pit Crew Award while the PWCOFFSHORE.COM Racing Pit Crew was awarded the Best Appearing Pit Crew. The PWCOFFSHORE.COM Pit Crew was comprised of Chaz, Dave Tew, Akira Tanaka, Aaron Cress, Russell Libby, Kody Mullinax, Steve Rasmussen and Rod Mullinax. Racers competing for the overall win at the Mark Hahn 300 understand that this race can’t be won without the best people in an efficient pit crew.

The Mark Hahn 300 Mile Race is the start of the endurance and offshore racing season with the Triple Crown of Offshore starting the offshore season on April 8 in Dana Point, California USA. Be there!

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