Peppers Racing Taking Father-and-Son Approach to Qatar Cup

If the current Peppers Racing team plan holds, veteran offshore racer George Stancombe will join his son, Micheal, in the cockpit of their 36-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran for the upcoming Qatar Cup. The inaugural event kicks off next week in Doha, the capital of Qatar, with an international field of 45 offshore racing teams—12 of which are from the United States.

Out of the cockpit together in recent years, the native Indiana father-and-son duo began racing offshore together in 1984 and hold two American Power Boat Association World Championships and three APBA National Championships. A pair of Mercury Racing HP525EFI engines power their current 36-foot cat, which will run in the Qatar Cup’s SuperCat class.

At present, the younger Stancombe plans to throttle the cat. His father, who is still recovering to an arm injury, will handle the steering duties.

“I am nervous and excited, and I can’t wait to get back in the boat with my father,” said Micheal. “My father recently broke his arm and has been working hard to get the strength back to be able to drive. I hope he can, but if not, Mike Anderson—Pro Marine/Flowmaster offshore racing fame—from St. Petersburg, Fla., will be there to take the helm and bring home the win.”

One of the most successful father-and-son teams in offshore racing history, the Stancombes will join several teams departing from Miami for Doha this Sunday evening. Pole position qualifying for the event is set for Wednesday, Feb. 4, with races scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 7.

Said George Stancombe, “We are happy to have been invited to Qatar to race. With one of the biggest challenges of our racing career ahead, we look forward to competing in the prestigious event and trying to bring a win back to the States and Indiana.”

Editor’s note: The Qatar Cup schedule is listed below.

2015 Qatar Cup—Timetable of Events

Tuesday, February 3
09.00 – 17.00: Technical inspections and registration

Wednesday, February 4
09.00 – 10.00: Inshore time testing (C1 and C2)
10.00 – 11.00: Offshore time testing (SuperCat Lite)
11.00 – 12.00: Offshore time testing (SuperVee and SuperCat)
13.00 – 14.00: Inshore time testing and pole position (C225)
14.00 – 15.00 : Offshore pole position (SuperCat Lite)
15.00 – 16.00 : Offshore pole position (SuperVee and SuperCat)

Thursday, February 5
09.00 – 09.45: Inshore race 1 (C2)
10.00 – 10.45: Inshore race 1 (C1)
11.00 – 11.45: Inshore race 1 (C225)
15.00 – 15.45: Offshore race 1 (SuperCat Lite)
16.00 – 16.45 : Offshore race 1 (SuperVee and SuperCat)

Friday, February 6
13.00 – 13.30: Practice Pro Marathon
13.45 – 14.15: Offshore race 1 (SuperCat Lite)
14.30 – 15.30 : Inshore testing

Saturday, February 7
09.00 – 09.45: Inshore race 2 (C2)
10.00 – 10.45: Inshore race 2 (C1)
11.00 – 11.45: Inshore race 2 (C225)
14.30 – 15.15: Offshore race 2 (SuperCat Lite)
15.30 – 16.15: Offshore race 2 (SuperVee and SuperCat)
16.45: Awards ceremony

Peppers Racing Taking Father-and-Son Approach to Qatar Cup

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