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Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. - Every year fans gather to experience the rush of speed as powerboaters battle for the title of Top Gun at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. This year's event is set for Aug. 21-28 at Captain Ron's Bar & Grill in Sunrise Beach.
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Check out the competition at this year's Shootout.
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Last year, the Shootout drew a crowd of 75,000 and attracted 121 racers. So it's no surprise that the Shootout is the largest unsanctioned boating race in the U.S. and was named by Powerboat Magazine as one of the nation's eight "must-see" boating events.
David Scott and John Tomlinson of Nauti Marine
wowed fans in 2010 with their third straight Top Gun title
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The Lake's Nauti Marine is looking for a fourth consecutive Top Gun title.
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(awarded to the fastest powerboat at the Shootout) and were clocked at a top speed of 208 miles per hour. The speed was just one mile per hour shy of the Shootout's all-time record set by John Cosker in 2007.
"It's an absolute charge to watch these boats thunder down the lake," said Ron Duggan, owner of Captain Ron's. "To listen to the roar of the crowd after the speed of the boat is announced is just electrifying. The higher the speed, the louder the roar gets. You definitely don't want to miss this event. Whether you're a little kid or a grandpa in his 90s, the Shootout will definitely put you on the edge of your seat."
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With speeds over 200 mph, the Shootout is a can't-miss event at the Lake.
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Each competitor races individually against the clock rather than other boats. The timed runs kick off at 10 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 28, at Captain Ron's. The event is free for spectators. Parking for vehicles is $10 per day and docking for boats is available for $10 per day. Two-day parking/docking passes can be purchased for $15 and three-day passes (for those attending Friday's pre-race festivities) are $20.
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Catch all the high-speed action from the deck of a Celebration Cruise.
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Fans may view the race from the shore at Captain Ron's, from private boats or from the luxurious Celebration Cruises yacht, located right on the finish line. Day passes for the Celebration are $75 per person, per day. For more information about reserving tickets, please call or visit CruiseLake.com.
With lots of activities for kids and adults, the Shootout is more than just a race weekend - it's an eight-day celebration. The festivities start on Sunday, Aug. 21, with The Great Shootout Treasure Hunt at Captain Ron's from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Hunt includes dinner, drinks and a dig for treasure chests containing fabulous prizes.
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The RC boat Mini Shootout is a favorite with kids.
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Shootout week continues with the area's fastest remote-controlled powerboats in the Second Annual RC Mini Shootout on Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Captain Ron's. These miniature RC boats can reach speeds of 70 mph or more and delight crowds just as much as the actual Shootout.
"The remote-controlled boats in the Mini Shootout are really cool for the kids to watch," said Duggan. "Of course, adults love it just as much as the kids, because it's unbelievable that some of these small boats can reach such high speeds."
"The Shootout on the Strip Street Party," on historic Bagnell Dam Strip (Business Highway 54), also takes place that Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sixty boats and their drivers line the strip allowing fans to get an up-close-and-personal view of the sleek powerboats, as well as have a meet and greet with their favorite racers.
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Shaman's Harvest plays the Shootout Aug. 27.
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Other fan-favorite activities during the Shootout include: The Shootout Charity Auction (Aug. 25) featuring everything from Major League Baseball memorabilia to rounds of golf at celebrated local courses; The Shootout Benefit Golf Tournament (Aug. 22) at Indian Rock Golf Club; two free concerts featuring The Brandon Rush Band (Aug. 22) and Shaman's Harvest (Aug. 27); the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Poker Run (Aug. 26) and the PWC Dam Run (Aug. 27).
"There's just so much to do during the week of the Shootout that you'll want to come in on the 21st, and plan to stay at the Lake for the whole time, be a part of everything and soak up all the fun," said Duggan.
Visitors requiring lodging during the Shootout can make a reservation at a local resort, hotel, condominium, motel, bed and breakfast, RV park or campground. To check out a list of these diverse accommodations, visit FunLake.com or call 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).
For more information about the Shootout, including a full schedule of events, please call 573-374-5852 or visit LakeoftheOzarksShootout.org.
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