Johnny, along with team owner Dave Scott set a new shootout record of 208 mph in the 2010 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Learn a little about the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and the money raised for charities.
Lake of the Ozarks Shootout raises $70,000 for local charities in 2010
SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. (LakeExpo.com) — The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout powerboat races and surrounding events raised $69,929 for local charities this summer. When the money was counted it was $71 short of $70,000. A volunteer stepped up and gave the $71 to make it an even $70K, according to organizer Ron Duggan.
Charities benefiting from the 2010 Shootout: The Off Road Riders Matter, Laurie/Sunrise Beach Rotary Club, Lake Ozark Shriner’s Club, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 30-05, Climax Springs High School Senior Class, Methodist Men’s Club, Hurricane Deck Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Elks Club of Laurie, Share the Harvest, Lake West Chamber, Community For Christ Outreach Center, Gravois Mills Fire Protection District, Coffman Bend Fire Association, Osage Beach Fire Protection District, Cross Timbers Fire Protection District, Northwest Fire Protection District, Lake Ozark Fire Protection District, Mid-County Fire Protection District and the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District.
The Shootout raised $50,600 for charities in 2009.
Duggan was not expecting over $50,000 this year because the race had lost a couple of serious sponsors late in the game. The proceeds from the golf tournament were up 50 percent and the PWC Dam Run brought in $3,000 more than last year. New events added to the week, such as the Mini-Shootout remote control boat race and the Sharpest Shooter Contest, also helped raise the funding bar.
“People were very generous this year,” Duggan said. More sponsors stepped up to the plate than were anticipated. “Overall it was fantastic to get these kinds of numbers in this struggling economy.”
Economic boost to lake area
Restaurants, lodging facilities and gas stations reported a boost in sales during the Shootout week. “It’s like the Fourth of July weekend for Captain Ron’s, we were full all the time. It was our best weekend all year,” Duggan said.
CJ’s Mini Mart across from Captain Ron’s said they saw a 50 percent increase in gasoline sales with racers coming in and purchasing sometimes $700 worth of high octane gasoline at a time for their boats. Other businesses that reported an increase in revenue: Bear Bottom Resort, Pirates Point Gas Dock and Boat Rentals in Sunrise Beach. Sonic in Laurie, Mo., reported sales receipts up 30% during Shootout weekend.
Camdenton gas station Lake Oasis and Sleep Inn Motel also reported an increase in revenue. Camdenton restaurant, Larry’s On the Lake saw better business than on the Fourth of July holiday. Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach sold an extra 200 rooms. The Wok and Roll restaurant on the strip saw an increase in business and the powerboats left an increase of cash in their wake at Osage RV.
“The Shootout generates millions of dollars for tourism businesses in Miller, Morgan and Camden counties,” said Tri-County Lodging Association Administrator Jim Divincen. “I want to thank Ron Duggan, his staff and the many volunteers for insuring the continuance of this, the lakes largest, annual water event.” The TCLA is a financial sponsor of the Shootout.
Record crowds
“We can conservatively say there were approximately 75,000 people all together for the week’s activities, most likely 80,000, with a record number of spectators on land this year,” Duggan said.
“These were the largest crowds I’ve ever seen on the Lake of the Ozarks,” said Missouri Water Patrol Captain Matt Walz.
Shootout in national spotlight
The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout has been thrust into the national spotlight. The Shootout won first place in Powerboat Magazine’s 2010 Readers Choice Awards competition “Favorite Race or Shootout” category. “Now going into the 23rd year, the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout is an event on most performance boaters’ bucket list. Not only can you watch some of the world’s fastest boats, but you can enjoy other events and parties on the popular Missouri lake,” said powerboat editors.
Nearly 900 dedicated performance-boat enthusiasts voted from all across North America, as well as a handful of countries including Switzerland, Norway and Italy.
“This is quite an honor,” Duggan said. “We are riding on the coattails of what the firefighters did for 19 years.
Local fire districts organized the Shootout before Duggan stepped up three years ago and moved the venue to his Captain Ron’s restaurant.
“The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout has been established as a ‘must see’ event by race enthusiast. We are very proud,” Duggan said.
Shootout activities
Shootout on the strip street party
The 2010 Shootout shared the spotlight with the Bagnell Dam Strip by launching the first Shootout on the Strip Street Party, which had a turnout of 3,000.
“So many racers showed up and brought their boat and the public came out in droves,” Duggan said.
Fans were able to meet and greet racers and get an up-close look at the race boats. Organizers are in negotiations with the City of Lake Ozark to add more hours to the event. The Shootout Golf Tournament raised $5,300. According to Duggan, the Treasure Hunt event was a hit with prizes such as televisions and four-wheelers. The event may have a new location next year.
Top guns
Shootout top guns were driver Dave Scott and throttle man John Tomlinson at 208 mph. Chip Romer’s 186 mph run won his team a surprise $10,000 from the Skater people for the fastest skater. He also won the top gun in the non-professional cat division. Gary Smith won in the manufacturer cat division with a run of 165 mph. Michael Janssen won in the professional V division at 139 mph. Eddie Young won in the non professional V with a run of 121 mph and Grant Freeman took top gun at 108 mph in the manufacturer V division.
2010 race course changes
“We were apprehensive at first about moving the race course, but once the racers went down it they loved it,” Duggan said. Last year the racers had a problem seeing docks so the organizers flipped the course. Duggan said the course is safer and the docks were not an issue this year. It also kept 5-65 and Highway coves open for business all day long. Racers commented they were pleased they did not have to stop the race to let people cross the course as often as during the 2009 race.
Shootout changes in 2011
Mini-Shootout location and day change possible
The Mini-Shootout held for the first time in 2010 was a crowd pleaser. The event, held at Captain Ron’s, may be moved to a different lake in the area to accommodate a larger crowd. Possible lakes for the new venue are located off Highway 42 and Highway 7. “We also want to make it a longer running event, possibly all day,” said Duggan. Organizers will most likely change the events day due to a conflict with the Big Fireman Motorcycle Rally which draws 1,500 riders from all over the country.
“We’re not making any major changes to the races. We are looking at expanding the side events,” said Duggan. “I will make a few minor changes to the Captain Ron’s property, such as adding televisions and speakers so that more people can watch the races on land. Most of the changes will be in the week-long festivities surrounding the race,” said Duggan. Organizers are trying to figure out a way to place a digital readout on the bluffs so race fans can see the speeds. “There are logistical problems because of the space on the bluff,” said Duggan.
“Everything went smoothly and the 400-plus volunteers did a fantastic job,” said Duggan
“We are expecting the shootout to just get bigger and better.”
