Passionate Crew Aims To Increase Cancer Awareness During Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout

With deep compassion and generosity, Missouri’s Ricky Amos and Cynthia O’Neill are teaming up on a “Race For The Cure” campaign that will showcase the Early Detection Racing V24 from Reindl Powerboats throughout next month’s Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in Central Missouri. With plans to participate in the Shootout On The Strip on Wednesday, Aug. 26, along with the top-speed competition on Saturday and Sunday in front of Captain Ron’s in Sunrise Beach, the couple is going to try to raise as much awareness and money as possible toward the goals of curing cancer.

Ricky Amos and Cynthia O’Neill are excited to race the Early Detection Racing Reindl Powerboats V24 “bat boat” at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in August and help raise money for cancer at the same time. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp/Helmkamp Photos

Amos, who won his class the first year he entered the Shootout in 2015 when he raced in honor of his mother who lost her battle with bone marrow cancer in 1999, is excited to get back in the Reindl Powerboats One Design V24 he’s competed in several times at the popular Missouri lake and at venues from Florida to New Jersey through the Reindl Powerboats racing experience program.

With a top speed near 90 mph in the 24-footer, which is powered by a 570-hp Ilmor Marine engine, Amos said he and O’Neill, who is a big powerboat racing fan and the owner of C&R Communications in St. Charles, plan on doing some pre-Shootout testing throughout the week on the lake.

Both Amos and O’Neill have personally been affected by cancer so they wanted to dedicate their involvement in the 32nd annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout to O’Neill’s parents and Amos’ mother and their battles with the challenging disease.

“Nothing is too small or too big to help us in the fight to cure cancer,” O’Neill said. “We’re fortunate to be able to work with Chris Reindl and so many others to make this happen.”

O’Neill thanked the team’s current sponsors, which includes 12 Foot Beard Whiskey, C&R Communications, C&R Detailing, Cool Touch Graphics, Dierbergs and Gas Mart.

Check out the slideshow above for more photos of Amos and O’Neill. Photos courtesy Cynthia O’Neill

“I’m very excited about running the boat this year,” she said. “I’ve watched them do it in the past and I’m ready to give it a shot. I’m doing this for my mom and dad, who are both fighting terminal cancer, and for everyone I know who has been touched by the disease. I know this is a tough time in this world, but I want to make sure we don’t forget about the cancer community.”

Not only is the team asking for people to support their efforts through a Facebook donation page, O’Neill said they are actively seeking sponsors, which will receive logo placement on the boat as well as other marketing opportunities. You can contact her for more information via Facebook or email.

And, if anyone is interested in the Reindl Powerboats racing experience, contact Chris Reindl at 702-BATBOAT (702-228-2628).