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Ski Racing’s Dan Cramphorn Enters Cowes-Monte Carlo Grand Prix Powerboat Race

The United States-based high performance fiberglass powerboat manufacturer Donzi Marine has committed to participate in the 2013 Cowes-Monte Carlo Grand Prix, becoming the first American entry in the 2,400 nautical mile ocean race.

With today’s announcement at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show, Donzi joins a growing, international field of Grand Prix entrants hailing from Belgium, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Donzi announced plans to build an entirely new model to race in the event: a 43-foot, five-seat ocean racer showcasing their latest technology, and are currently reviewing the best propulsions options available for the challenge.

The Cowes-Monte Carlo Grand Prix will mark Donzi’s first return to factory-sponsored, factory supported offshore racing since 2002-2003, when Team Donzi’s 38’ ZR Competition models won APBA/UIM National Championships in both the Factory II and Super Vee classes in the United States.

The Donzi entry will be piloted by Daniel Cramphorn and Kim Collins, both of the U.K., who own and race the “Team 26” Donzi 38 ZR Competition in Europe’s Powerboat P1 motorsport series; and Donzi’s vice president of sales, Craig Barrie, a veteran of offshore racing both in the U.S. and abroad.

Craig Barrie stated, “The modern racing world has never seen an event like this, a grueling, open-ocean race that spans the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Portugal, before crossing the Straights of Gibraltar and running up the Mediterranean Sea to Monte Carlo. We’ll put Donzi’s speed, strength, and reliability to the test on a global stage against an international field of competitors in a genuine ocean race. This is an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Donzi’s rough-water handling and performance, in a factory-built raceboat.”

Barrie added, “I’m particularly excited to join our friends Daniel Cramphorn and Kim Collins for this event, as they are two of the most talented and enthusiastic young racers in the offshore world, and also diehard, dedicated Donzi guys who together have owned five of our boats! This will be quite an adventure, and we will make quite a team.”

Daniel Cramphorn stated, “To be given the privilege of competing in a Donzi in what I’m sure will be the worlds greatest powerboat race is a good as it gets! Kim and I have always been big fans of the brand and are very aware of its illustrious racing history starting with the late, great founder Don Aronow. So we will be giving it everything in adding our own chapter to it! The race will obviously be the biggest challenge we’ve faced, but with the help of Craig’s experience and our great support crew there really is only one position we plan on being in when we cross the line in Monte Carlo.”

With its 2,400 Nautical miles of open ocean racing, the Cowes-Monte Carlo Grand Prix is being billed as the longest and toughest offshore powerboat race in the world. The June 2013 event will mark only the second time in history that this race has been held. For more information on the Cowes-Monte Carlo Grand Prix, visit www.cowestomontecarlo.com.

Team 26 Racing Accomplishments:

  • Won the Cowes – Poole – Cowes race in 2008.
  • Won of 6 out of the 10 P1 World Championship races in their debut season in 2009.
  • Won Race 1 at the SBI Key West World Championships in 2009.
  • World Speed Record Holders for a P1 Supersport Class boat set in November 2010.

About Donzi Marine: In business since 1964, Donzi Marine builds over 20 models of high performance fiberglass pleasure boats ranging from 16 to 43 feet. These include the ZR line of race-bred high performance boats, the tournament-proven ZF fishing series, the innovative ZFX line of performance center consoles, and the legendary Classic sport boats. In the past decade, Donzi race boats have won six assorted APBA/SBI/UIM National Championships, two APBA World Championships, and one P1 Powerboat World Championship.

Visit Donzi’s website at www.donzimarine.com.

For more information on this story please contact Josh Stickles at 941.400.8494 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 941.400.8494 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or josh.stickles@gmail.com.

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