LET US NOT FORGET RACERS FROM THE SARASOTA AREA WHO GAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AND LEADERSHIP TO THE SPORT OF POWERBOAT RACING. THEIR SPIRIT IS ALIVE AND VIBRANT IN ALL OF US WHO CONTINUE TO WORK ON MAKING THIS ANNUAL FESTIVAL AND RACE A SUCCESS EACH YEAR FOR LOCAL CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Gene Whipp
1943 - 2000
Gene Whipp was a racer and founder of the Powerboat Grand Prix in Sarasota. He served as Offshore Commissioner in the 1990's and helped APBA (American Power Boat Association) return to prominence. He was a Board Member of the Suncoast Foundation for many years and served as Race Chairman for Sarasota until his death. Special Olympics named their Venice facility and state of the art running track in Gene's memory now known as The Gene Whipp Training Center for Special Athletes.
Kevin Brown
1952 - 2008
Kevin Brown was a local racer who later served on the Board of Governors and Chief Referee for Super Boat International. He also served as a Board Member for the Suncoast Foundation and was involved with the Sarasota race site since it began. In 2000 he was elected as Race Chairman, a position he held until his death. The Florida Center's North Port Campus has named their building in memory of Kevin.
Joey Gratton #31
1952-2011
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joey Gratton Foundation
1972 Hillview Street
Sarasota, FL 34239.
Doug Sutherland - #P5-71
1961-2012
Donations may be made to the Douglas Sutherland Memorial Fund
Wells Fargo Bank
4794 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231
ROBERT NOBLE JR. "J.R."
1959-2016
Owner/Driver of Team STIHL, a national and world champion race team.
JR began racing in Sarasota in 2007 and will be greatly missed.