Sailor Jerry/Autonation Coming Back For Clearwater And Key West Races

Returning after a hiatus to regroup and make adjustments to their 40-foot MTI catamaran, the Superboat-class Sailor Jerry/Autonation team will be back in action at the Super Boat International National Championships Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Clearwater, Fla., as well as the SBI World Championships Nov. 6-13 in Key West. That’s the word from team owner/throttleman, Randy Sweers of FB Marine Group, who will be joined in the cockpit—as he was in the first two races of the SBI season—by Todd Beckman.

Not seen on the offshore racecourse since SBI’s Marathon, Fla., event, Sailor Jerry/Autonation will be back in action at the organization’s national and world championships. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“Todd is a very talented and aggressive driver,” said Sweers. “He has been doing a great job on the wheel. His tunnel-boat experience is very apparent while he is in the cockpit.”

Sweers said that the work to his 40-footer, which is powered by twin 750-hp engines from Ilmor Marine, has been substantial. The catamaran’s running surface has been modified and blueprinted and a new fire-suppression system has been added. The team also has been working on the boat’s engines.

“We have been doing some engine R & D with different cam combinations and calibration,” he said. “We are trying to be competitive—it’s tough to beat the big-budget teams.

“I know there is a big changeover in our class to Sterling power,” he added. “We are the only team now running a different power package.”

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