Inside SOTW Mag: Texas To The Max

When the dust finally settled on the 12th annual Texas Outlaw Challenge, the one-of-a-kind event proved to be a complete winner for participants, organizers and, most importantly, the community. One-of-a-kind is definitely a fitting description for the event that takes place in and around the supportive communities of Clear Lake and Kemah.

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Texas’ own Don Lightfoot drove his 52-foot Nor-Tech catamaran in the Texas Outlaw Challenge poker run the day after reaching 113 mph on the event’s three-quarter-mile shootout course with throttleman Eddie Guidry by his side. Photo courtesy Michael Moss

Not only do more than 100 of the coolest boats on the planet flock to the five-day, boat show-like affair to soak in the Texas hospitality and sunshine, the Texas Outlaw Challenge includes some awesome social gatherings between the Kemah Boardwalk street parties, the Miss Texas Outlaw Challenge Bikini Contest at Cabo Clear Lake, hanging out at Barge 295 and sight-seeing and swimming at two incredibly cool pool parties, including one at the home of Kenny Armstrong, who owns DH Tech, one of the event’s longtime presenting sponsors.

Add in the Gunslinger Poker Run, the National Shootout Championship, the Steel Horse Bike Rally and the new-for-2019 Outlaws To The Max Finale Gala, and it’s easy to see why the Texas Outlaw Challenge in it’s a class of its own.

This year the awards dinner, which was hosted at MarineMax Houston on Saturday night for the first time, included presentations to various winners by Miss Houston of the event’s coveted traditional plaques with pistols mounted to them along with an outstanding spread with tacos, roasted pork, a gourmet ice cream truck and much more.

There was even an emotional presentation with Juan Levya and Michael Rosenfeld, the driver and throttleman duo who rolled Rosenfeld’s 30-foot Chris Cat in Friday’s shootout. Thankful to have survived the accident on the three-quartermile course with minor injuries, both of them were extremely grateful for the first responders and the treatment they received.

To enjoy the complete feature, click the download link for the PDF of the May/June 2019 Speed On The Water magazine, and please share any feedback with us below, via email or on social media.